Friday, January 14, 2011

CORK'S TOP 31

TOPS FOR FOOD 


Seems to be the time of year for making lists: top 10, best 20. Let us be different here and go for the top 31. Simply because I like prime numbers and 31 is one of my favourites. A prime number can only be divided by itself and one, as you all know. So what is my number one? Well, overall that would Augustine's. In the county, it is Nautilus.


I have been to all 31 (and others) over the past 12 months and have been happy enough with the result. Huge differences, of course, in styles and comfort over the range but I'd have no problem in going back to any of them. The list below is alphabetical.


Just be aware also that there are some really good ones that I haven't been to in 2010, notably Les Gourmandises and Cafe Paradiso which would certainly merit places in any top list. Must also try and get out to the county more next year, to Kinsale, Midleton and Clonakilty for example, even if I'll have to cut the wine! Had noted Over the Moon in Skibbereen last year but that unfortunately has ceased to operate.


Control and click on the names below for reviews and further info.


THE WEEKEND CATCH

A bumper Weekend Catch, fresh from the Net.  




THE WEEKEND CATCH
Restaurant Wine & Food Scene
via Twitter & Facebook
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Nash 19 Congratulations to our

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

STAR OF THE SPRING IN PAUL STREET

THE WOODFORD 
Popped into the revamped Woodford (in Paul Street) the other evening. It was early in the week, dark and wet and not too many in the bar.

Impressed by their great selection of beer along with friendly and helpful service.  Arranged a little tasting for myself: Becks versus Staropramen.

Had the Becks on draught before but this was a first for my Czech favourite. The Staro is even more a favourite of mine now as it beat the socks off the Becks.

Don’t think there is anywhere else in town selling Staropramen on draught so it looks like I’ll be going back to the Woodford for the star of the Spring. Maybe a bite to eat as well. No hardship there.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

WINE BARGAINS - BUT HURRY!

CHECK THESE OUT NOW!   

Just got some sales info in from the folks at From Vineyards Direct , featuring mainly wines from France and Italy. They certainly have some excellent bottles on offer, including the Rocca di Tufo Orvieto Classico 2008.

You rarely go wrong with Burgundy whites and the Spectator Wine Club found nothing at all to complain when summing up the Roger Sauvestre Mercurey 2000: “A rich, deep yellow colour with aromas of passion fruit and butterscotch. Full bodied, viscous and delicious. It can be enjoyed with any rich seafood dish or simply on its own.”

This 100 percent Chardonnay can now be purchased for €13.95 instead of €15.95. But do hurry as there are only a limited number of cases left.  Stuart, Stephen or Dave can be contacted at: 01 845 7645.


WINE
CASES
     RRP
   OFFER
Roger Sauvestre Mercurey 2000
10
€15.95
€13.95
Domaine Eugenie  Carrion Chablis 2008
4
€14.95
€13.00
Domaine de Valensac Chardonnay 2009
5
€10.95
€10.00
Rocca di Tufo Orvieto Classico 2008
5
€12.95
€11.50
Marco Real Rosado 2007
8
€8.95
€8.00
Chateau Pontet Bagatelle Rubis 2000
3
€12.00
€10.00
Chateau Meaume Rose 2009
1
€9.95
€9.50
Les Mines Tinto 2007
3
€21.95
€20.25
Valpolicella Classico 2007
6
€12.95
€11.00
Chateau Pedesclaux 5th Growth Pauillac 2004
2
€28.95
€26.00
Clos de Portail Graves Superieur
2
€9.95
€7.95

REDUCTIONS AT THE WINE STORE

PROVENCE TEMPTATION 
Provence

I have a holiday planned for Provence this year so was immediately alerted when I saw the January sale list from the Wine Store. The top of its list featured wines from Domaine de la Citadelle, quite close to where I’ll be staying.

The Chataignier 2008 red has been reduced by three euro to €8.95 while the 2001 Les Artemes red has been cut by six to €10.95. 

Certainly worth a look as are the rest on the list. Perhaps the most eye catching reduction is in the award winning Franck Massard Huellas Priorat 2006 which goes from €29.99 to 18.99.


Friday, January 7, 2011

THE WEEKEND CATCH

A bumper Weekend Catch, fresh from the Net.
THE WEEKEND CATCH 
Restaurant Wine & Food Scene
via Twitter & Facebook
Control and click to follow the links and find out more.


libertygrill Liberty Grill 
With this month's specials, Liberty Grill will be promoting and donating to http://www.corkpennydinners.ie/

Ballymaloe Ballymaloe Shop & Cafe are open each day during January, shop 9am - 6pm, Cafe 10am - 5pm.

Weather forced your Christmas Party to

Thursday, January 6, 2011

BORDEAUX WINE STUDENTS SEEK IRISH WORK PLACEMENT

BORDEAUX WINE STUDENTS SEEK IRISH WORK PLACEMENT

Florence Hivert from Bordeaux has written to inquire whether your company would receive students from their school http://www.institut-rural-vayres.fr for individual work placements in your company in May or June and July 2011.

  “The Institut Rural de Vayres is a wine school located

VALUE AND VARIETY IN ISAAC'S

Wall pic in Isaac's, 20 years running

ISAAC’S

The value from November’s Dine in Cork Week is still to be found in Isaac's in McCurtain Street. From Monday to Wednesday, they offer three top notch courses for €25.00.

Isaac’s is perhaps the city restaurant nearest to me and one I regularly pass by. Not last night though. Called in on spec about 6.30 and had no bother getting a table in what I thought is a very old restaurant only to find that Isaac’s reputation as one of Cork’s best has been built up in about twenty years, not quite the long running tradition I’d believed in.

But undeniably, Isaac’s is a core part of the city’s food and drink scene and long may it continue. Speaking of drink, last night’s wine was a gem from the Marlborough area of New Zealand: Lawson’s Dry Hills Sauvignon Blanc (€27.00 per bottle, €18.00 for 50cl, and €6.00 per glass). Quite a complex SB and very

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

THREE OF THE BEST FROM B & G

BARTON & GUESTIER – NÉGOCIANTS
Barton and Guestier are major players in the French wine scene, with a fascinating heritage going all the way back to 1725. Then the company’s founder, 30 year old Thomas Barton (left), departed his native Ireland and emigrated to Bordeaux.

“As a true adventurer he founded his wine

Sunday, January 2, 2011

TOP IRISH CHEESES

HAPPY NEW CHEESE

So many Irish cheeses around these days, you could buy a different one for each and every day of 2011.

Started on the local track, not that I ever strayed too far off it, at our New

Thursday, December 30, 2010

MARGARET RIVER GEM, plus dessert duel!

MARGARET RIVER GEM 
plus dessert duel!

Pat Whelan’s Brandy and Cream Sauce is delicious with a

THE WEEKEND CATCH

A bumper Weekend Catch, fresh from the Net. 
THE WEEKEND CATCH

Restaurant Wine & Food Scene
via Twitter & Facebook
Control and click to follow the links and find out more.


Tuesday, December 28, 2010

THE LIFE OF IAIN

THE LIFE OF IAIN

Fed up of cooking and the kitchen? Let this man feed you for a while.

Iain Flynn is a national award winner and

Monday, December 27, 2010

FARM DELIGHTS

FARM DELIGHTS

Full up with pudding and all the other heavy Christmas sweets?

I have just the job for you. Or, more accurately, Drimoleague’s Glenilen Farm have, in the enticing shape of their Handmade Cheesecakes. They come in a range of gorgeous flavours, with absolutely no additives and the taste is just magnificent.

These are authentic farmhouse cheesecakes, handmade on Alan and Valerie Kingston’s family farm where they also make brilliant yoghurts (the very best, as far as I am concerned) and other dairy products such as butter, creams and cream cheese.

The cheesecake I bought was the Summerfruits one and I picked it up at the very impressive Ryan's Supervalu  in the Crestfield Shopping Centre in Riverstown. It was the

Thursday, December 23, 2010

THE WEEKEND CATCH

Don't forget the birds!

A bumper Weekend Catch, fresh from the Net  
THE WEEKEND CATCH

Restaurant Wine & Food Scene
via Twitter & Facebook
Control and click to follow the links and find out more.


Nash19Cork Nash19 
Back in stock, Green Saffron Mulled wine spice blend. One packet and

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

UMMERA GOLD

UMMERA SMOKED PRODUCTS

If I had to make a short list of the top ten artisan foods, then Ummera’s Smoked  products would be up there, probably in the top five. Luckily I don’t have to make any such list which would also include the Sparkling Apple Juice of Tipperary’s Apple Farm, the Venison Burgers of Gubbeen, the Country Baguette made by Tom’s Bakery in Kinsale and the most recent arrival Iain Flynn’s Cannelloni Spinach and Ricotta.

Just wandering through the

Sunday, December 19, 2010

BALLYMALOE WINE EVENTS 2011

Can't get out and about to buy your presents. Don't worry. Here is one solution. Ballymaloe have gift vouchers for their 2011 wine events:

Upcoming wine events at Ballymaloe House
Gift vouchers available – the ideal gift for the wine lover
…………………………..

Winemaker Dinner with Tom Portet, from Penfolds Wines, Australia
Thursday 24th February 2011

Famous for its award-winning wines, Penfolds wines have won numerous national and international awards.  Join with winemaker, Tom Portet, as he leads us through a range of Penfolds wines, with a  matching dinner menu to his wines. Special Dinner, including specially chosen Penfolds wines. 8.00pm reception, followed by dinner with wines €75

…………………………..

Ballymaloe Wine Weekend Courses Introduction to Wine Appreciation with

Friday, December 17, 2010

THE WEEKEND CATCH

A bumper Weekend Catch, fresh from the Net.
THE WEEKEND CATCH

Restaurant Wine & Food Scene
via Twitter & Facebook
Control and click to follow the links and find out more.

market1788 Paul @CorkBilly St. Lukes Choir in English Market @ 5.30 Saturday Spiced beef tastings for punters - proceeds Marymount Hospice

Nash19Cork Nash19 Back in

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

KARWIG FOR DESSERT WINES (even Olive Oil)

KARWIG FOR DESSERT

Looking for something to drink with your festival dessert? Then, I suggest you call down to Karwig Wines  in Carrigaline as they have quite a large selection, featuring wines from Germany, Hungary, France, Australia....

I was there for that very purpose this morning and got a warm welcome and advice, not to mention a tasting or two, from busy Emily and later met Joe Karwig himself and wife Betty, always in great form. Must say though the first friendly greeting was from the family dog!

My to-get list included a German Eiswein and that box was ticked with the purchase of a Dexheimer Sonnenberg Scheurebe Eiswein 2004, ABV 9.5%. The grape variety here is the Scheurebe and the wine has a golden colour, showing layers of apricot, pineapple and passion fruit. The sweetness and fruit is beautifully balanced by crisp acidity. An ideal companion for fine desserts and blue cheeses or simply on its own.

This Eiswein, much lower in alcohol, is nowhere near as heavy or as “sticky” as your Sauternes or Tokaji. It has its own admirable lighter qualities and indeed may be better with the dessert than some of the “stickies” which can sometimes overpower the dessert and are often best drunk on their own, maybe just after the pudding!

We did get to taste one of

MAHON POINT FARMERS MARKET

CHARITY TO BENEFIT AS MAHON POINT FARMERS MARKET LINKS ON LINE WITH LOCAL MARKETS.IE

Food connoisseurs of Cork now have access to Ireland's best Farmers Market 24 hours a day, 7 days a week thanks to www.localmarkets.ie.  


For foodies with a passion ­ the website even has links providing up to date information about the news and events taking place at the market. 

To mark the launch of the

Monday, December 13, 2010

SUPERB SOUP

  Colum O'Regan, Horizon Organic Farm, Supplier to Just Food

BLESSED BE THE SOUPMAKERS 

Three cheers for our artisan soupmakers. They make us full. They make us warm. Especially these cold days.

I’m thinking of three in particular: Just Food , Flynn's Kitchen and Cully & Sully. And they don't stop at soup. They also make other delicious products – just click on their sites to check it out.

I recently picked up a

BUYING IRISH

BUYING IRISH
NEED TO BE AWARE & AWAKE

Must admit I don't always have the green flag wrapped around me when I’m shopping, even for food. But If the Irish product has the quality and is price competitive, then I’ll

Sunday, December 12, 2010

FIRST SWEET STEPS

Never know what you'll see in an Austrian field!

FIRST SWEET STEPS    

Unless you can get yourself to a tasting, you’ll have to fund your first steps into sweet or dessert wine. And quite a few of these can be

Saturday, December 11, 2010

NASH 19

NASH 19

Always a pleasure to visit Nash 19 and yesterday’s lunch time date with two colleagues was no exception as a warm welcome was followed by some top notch food and service, including a drop or two of mulled wine.

Quite a few of you will have seen Tipperary’s Crowe's Farm  featured in RTE’s Ear to the Ground earlier in the week. And their bacon was the main feature of my lunch. It was served with, among other things, an apricot chutney, and the combination was first class.

Will be watching out for

Friday, December 10, 2010

KNOW YOUR PINEAU FROM YOUR FLOC

PINEAU DE CHARENTES 

Pineau de Charentes is a traditional regional drink, made from Cognac eau de vie and grape juice. It is usually about 17 per cent.

There are two types of Pineau des Charentes produced today, white and rosé (looks like a red). To be able to call the produce Pineau des Charentes, the cognac eau de vie and grape juice must come from the same property, and be aged in oak casks for a minimum period of 18 months.

The colour is amber with golden tints; it has a powerful aromatic palate, with subtle hints of ripe yellow fruits like apricot, honey and raisins. It is pleasantly sweet and refreshing.

Always served chilled, the Pineau is a wonderful aperitif, and you will see it in restaurants in the area, listed alongside the Kir and Campari. It is also excellent with meals and desserts and very good with cheese too.

In the

WINE TIPS FROM TWITTER

WINE TIPS FROM TWITTER

Followed a couple of recent wine tips on Twitter and came up trumps each time. Blake Creedon (@blakecreedon) had recommended Villa Maria’s reduced price Sauvignon Blanc while Tom Doorley (@tomdoorley) had highlighted Macon Villages.

Picked up the Villa Maria SB in Tesco Mahon. Colour is light strawy and the nose is aromatic. On the palate it is fruity, yet dry and tangy, and generously flavored on the long finish.

Villa Maria is New Zealand’s largest family owned company in the wine business and this bottle, from their Private Bin, is their third series wine.

Found the Macon Village 2009 in Aldi as Tom suggested and noted it that it is a Decanter Bronze medal winner. Again, the colour of this Chardonnay is pale straw and the nose is aromatic, moderately so. In the mouth, it is crisply fruity (apples, I think) but with a stony acidity and a rewarding finish. Lovely stuff at the price, as Tom says.

Villa Maria Private Bin Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010, 13%, Tesco €8.00 (down from over 12). PR: 88
Macon Villages (Chardonnay) Henri de Lorgere, 13%, Aldi €6.95. PR: 90. Tom also recommended Aldi’s Bushland’s Gewurz but it wasn’t available at my local Aldi.