Fine Art and Fine Dining at Greyfriars Church. Superb Waterford Gallery

Fine Art and Fine Dining at Greyfriars Church

Superb Waterford Gallery

Hake

Might as well have been a Philistine that walked into the old Greyfriars Church for the EAT Waterford Tasting Menu last Sunday afternoon. Oh, I knew about the multi-course lunch and the combination of local restaurants that had worked so hard to put it together and showcase their different skills. But I had no idea that the old church is now a gallery, has been since 2001.

But soon, one or two local enthusiasts were pointing me away from the tables, to the walls. I hadn't really noticed all the artwork hanging here. And so I started viewing before too many diners came in. “There’s a Yeats there,” I was told. And so there was, an oil on canvas titled While Grass Grows.

Greyfriars and Jack B. Yeats

And close by there’s a Paul Henry (Evening in Kerry), a Mainie Jellett (Virgin and Child), an Evie Hone (abstract), one by George William Russell, better known as AE, called Boy with Donkey on Skyline, a Louis Le Brocquy (Belfast Refugees at Mespil Road, Dublin, 1941), and quite a few more, thirty nine in all.

The 39 have been selected from the Waterford Municipal Art Collection by Patrick Murphy, director, Royal Hibernian Academy in Dublin and were exhibited in the RHA in 2015. There is not much time left to see the current display in Greyfriars as it due to finish at the end of the current month. All the Greyfriar details here.

Amuse Bouche

 So back then to meet the strangers at our table - not strangers for long - and time to study the menu with a glass of wine in hand. Some pretty pictures soon on our plates, starting with the Colcannon, Leek compote and Bacon Crumb Amuse Bouche.

An amazingly juicy Heirloom tomato from the local Grantstown nurseries was the feature of our starter, a salad with ribbons of local vegetables. The next course, the fish, was possibly the highlight of the afternoon: Seared Dunmore East Hake “Chu-Chie”, coconut, Thai Spice Rub, Kaffir Lime Leaves and pickled veg, a perfect balance between the delicate fish and the spices.

Starter

Next up was the meat course: Honey mustard glazed pork neck, smoked bacon choucroute, home-made white pudding, and red wine apple purée. Another excellent balanced combination. I liked that choucroute and the purée went so well with the pork.

Tom Cleary popped up on nearly every table over the weekend but it was something of a surprise to some to see the well-known grower of salads and vegetables contributing to the dessert: Bavois of Tom Cleary’s organic beetroot, pistachio, wild blackberry glaze, lime and basil sorbet.

Pork

 The Tasting Menu was the work of EAT Waterford, a collaborative initiative by the restaurateurs of Waterford City, that is aimed at helping food lovers to find the best places to eat in Waterford.

This year it was the turn of Athenaeum House Hotel, Bellissimo, L’Atmosphere, Loko, Momo, the Olive Tree, Sabai and the Tower Hotel, all ardent supporters of local produce to contribute their time and skills. No shortage of local drinks either at Greyfriars with beers from Dungarvan Brewery and gin from the Blackwater Distillery on hand. Wines too, of course, but we haven’t started to grow enough grapes to make our own yet!

Dessert

See also:

Dinner at La Boheme
Waterford Producers Brunch at The Granary Cafe
House of Waterford Crystal Tour
Bodega, Waterford. Good Food & Lots Of Buzz
EAT Waterford. 5 Course Menu de Luxe on The Mall
Harvest Days in Waterford. Visiting the Viking City

EAT Waterford at Harvest Festival 2016

The EAT Waterford Taste Experience was a highlight of the Harvest Festival last year and is back. 

EAT Waterford at Harvest Festival 2016

A fusion of taste offered by eight Waterford restaurants

Following on from the success of last year’s debut at Waterford Harvest Festival, the EAT Waterford Taste Experience is back for 2016. 

As part of the three day, jam packed food festival (September 9th to 11th), the EAT Waterford Taste experience, a collaboration between eight local restaurants, will create a five course taste extravaganza, served in one of Waterford’s finest cultural hubs, Greyfriars Church, in the Viking Triangle.

The restaurants behind the initiative, Bellissimo, Momo, The Olive Tree, Sabai, The Bistro at the Tower Hotel, Loko, Zak’s at Athenauem House Hotel and l’Atmosphere, are ardent supporters of local produce and will create the dishes using fresh, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.

Stan Leslie, Proprietor of Loko is looking forward to the event.  “We had a fantastic experience last year.  All our sittings were sold out and I think the public really enjoyed the different elements brought to the courses by the different chefs.  Despite each chef having a unique style and personality, the overall result was that it gelled well and, most importantly, presented a very vibrant food scene in our great City.”

“This year, we have added some new restaurants to the mix and we’re excited about the new dynamic.  Waterford has a broad range of award winning restaurants, all punching above their weight.  By coming together for this taste experience, not only can we showcase the breadth of great produce on our doorstep, but also the talent, commitment and enthusiasm that thrives in restaurants and their kitchens throughout the city.”

The EAT Waterford Taste Experience takes place at 8pm on Friday, September 9th and Saturday 10th and at 2pm on Sunday, September 11th.  

Catherine Heffernan of Sabai is also happy to be involved in the Eat Waterford showcase event. “This year we have also added a casual lunch to the schedule.  The Flavour Experience will be served on Saturday, September 10th at 2pm.  This lunch will give diners the opportunity to enjoy even more food styles that our diverse local food scene has to offer whilst soaking up the atmosphere of the festival.”

“Added to the mix is the fantastic setting of Greyfriars Church.  It’s bright, spacious, atmospheric and brimming with charm and we really do believe that it is going to bring an extra dimension to the whole dining experience.”

Tickets for both EAT Waterford events, the five course taste experience and the Flavour Experience (casual lunch) are €39 and €19 respectively and are available from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 051 874402 or online at www.theatreroyal.ie

The 8^th Waterford Harvest Festival takes place from Friday, September 9th to Sunday, September 11^th and promises an exciting, eclectic three - day food and fun filled festival with over 100 events for all the family to enjoy.

To find out more the Waterford Harvest Festival full programme of events is available on www.waterfordharvestfestival.ie. Be sure to keep up to date on all things Harvest Fest by checking it out on Facebook and Twitter #Harvestfest16

Some more highlights

New ingredients added to festival favourites!

www.waterfordharvestfestival.ie

Now in its eight year, Waterford Harvest Festival makes a colourful, tasty and aromatic return to the streets of Waterford from September 9th to September 11th.

As a city and county that takes huge pride in its food producers, this year’s festival will shine the spotlight on its “food heroes”, the people who grow, cultivate, harvest, produce, prepare, promote and serve some of the country’s best food.

Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city, boasts 1100 years of food heritage and will pay homage to that proud tradition with festival markets, harvest kitchens, a health and wellness showcase, pop-up restaurants, baking competitions, enterprising food start-ups, a celebration of Irish whiskeys, a GIY oasis, an opportunity to meet the makers and so much more!

New to this year’s festival are the Harvest Fit Food and Wellness area, the Harvest Blaa Eating World Championships, Sunset Seaweed Foraging, Tapas River tours, Iyer’s Pop-up restaurant and the Flahavan’s Harvest brunch, along with the firm festival favourites that never fail to thrill!

Ballybricken, affectionately known as the ‘top of the town’, was traditionally the hub of Waterford’s livestock and bacon curing industries. The area will enjoy a broader portfolio of events this year and be shrouded in the tantalising sights, smells and sounds of the Ballybricken Fair, Junior HQ and Farm to Fork.

There are over 100 fun, family and food- fueled events taking place, with 80 of those free for the young and young at heart to enjoy.  Some of the highlights this year include:

Harvest Festival Market:

The Festival Market is all about local, quality produce and their dedicated producers and Waterford’s Viking Triangle is transformed into a feaster’s fantasy with a weekend of taste bud tempting events! The Mall will be stuffed with producers showcasing mouth-watering food and beverages. It’s a veritable bounty of Waterford’s best Harvest.

EnterpRISING Food Village:

From the traditional and famous Blaa to exotic seaweed based breads, the return of hand roasting coffee in the region to locally famous ice cream makers, these and more local food producers will be pitching their tents in Cathedral Square, Waterford City and creating the EnterpRISING Food Village!

EAT Waterford Taste experience:

An exciting collaboration between eight local restaurants, which will create a five course taste extravaganza, served in one of Waterford’s finest cultural hubs, Greyfriars Church, in the Viking Triangle.

The Flavour experience, a more casual affair…a semi-formal lunch will give diners the opportunity to enjoy a more tapas taste experience, whilst still enjoying the best of local produce from an eight- strong restaurant team.

Blaa Eating World Championship:

The story of the Blaa goes back to the 1690’s, when the French Huguenots arrived in Ireland introducing white flour and their baking skills. Over 300 years later, it remains a firm staple, not just of the Waterford diet, but of thousands of Irish diaspora scattered throughout the world.  A proud Waterford foodstuff and a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) product.

Put your competitive hat on and come and sample a range of competitions at Blaa Fest! Teams and individuals welcome to compete for some great prizes including a cash prize.  Or just pop down and watch those who are brave enough to participate. 

Flahavan’s Harvest Brunch:

A celebration of Waterford food producers, with a buffet style brunch in the company of John McKenna of John and Sally McKennas’ Guides. There will be a veritable feast of local produce on hand and the producers will also be there to tell their stories and pass on their passion for their food. Hosted by The Granary, recent award winners of Munster’s Best Cafe, at the Irish Restaurant Awards, there’ll also be live jazz accompaniment.

Harvest Fit Food and Wellness Area at the Millennium Plaza:

An area dedicated to health, well - being and mindfulness. Featured will be the Community Garden Competition where Three Waterford community groups have designed and planted their own micro garden! Ballybeg Greens will show you how to grow your own, with a particular focus on late crops, as we approach Autumn.

You won’t want to miss the great line up of two days of talk shops about Kangoo jumping, Living and foraging from the sea, baking “good” bread, raw food, community gardens competition, the power of juice, yoga, sports nutrition, healing herbs, Zumba, meditation, meditation drumming and fermented drinks.

Tapas River Tour:

A pop up restaurant from Waterford’s popular tapas venue and wine bar, The Olive Tree, on board the Brian Boru, a traditional gaff rigged wooden sailing ketch, on the River Suir. Enjoy Waterford’s best tapas and amazing wine, while taking a 90-minute tour downriver.

The SuperValu Food Academy Village:

Located adjacent to Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre on the Mall, the SuperValu Food Academy Village features the very best of Irish artisan food producers who have taken part in the SuperValu Food Academy.

 

Viking Rocks Craft Beer Fest:

This hugely popular event returns to Baileys New Street once again and promises to be one of the top attractions at this year’s Harvest Festival. Hosted by The Reg and The Munster Bar, sample a choice of Irish Craft Beers from Metalman Brewery (Home of the Blaager) and Cork’s Franciscan Well Brewery.

Cider Wasps headline on Saturday night with Papa Zitas wrapping Harvest up in style on Sunday evening.

GIY at Palace Square:

GIY brings their enthusiasm and love of food to the Harvest Festival every year. This year will be no different with the GIY patch promising to be an oasis in the city. Wander among the fragrant herbs, chat to the growers and stock up on all your food growing necessities. Relax on the pallet benches and learn how to create your own edible nirvana at home in any space.

Iyer’s Pop Up restaurant at La Boheme:

The award winning chef-proprietor of Iyer’s Restaurant in Cork, Gautham Iyer, will bring his Brahmin culinary philosophy to Waterford’s La Boheme Restaurant on Sunday, September 11th as part of the Waterford Harvest Festival menu.

Whiskey tasting at Revolution:

Enjoy a celebration of Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey with Gerard Garland, Irish Whiskey Ambassador for Midleton Distillery. On the night taste four of Ireland’s quintessential and finest Whiskey’s. The Whiskeys are Greenspot Leoville-Barton, Powers Johns Lane 12 Year Old, Redbreast 21 Year Old and Midleton Dair Ghaelach.

100% of the Barley (Malted and Unmalted) used in the production of these four Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey’s is grown by Irish farmers in the south east of Ireland.

In association with Irish Distillers Pernod-Ricard and World Wide Wines.

Just some of the highlights of the 8th Waterford Harvest Festival from Friday, September 9th to Sunday, September 11th.  

To find out more the Waterford Harvest Festival full programme of events is available on www.waterfordharvestfestival.ie. Be sure to keep up to date on all things Harvest Fest by checking it out on Facebook and Twitter #Harvestfest16

Harvest Days in Waterford. Visiting the Viking City

Harvest Days in Waterford

Visiting the Viking City

Harvest Festival

Hadn't been in Waterford in a while until we headed east for the recent Harvest Festival. Just ninety minutes after leaving Cork City we were parking in Bolton Street. It was the day before the festival started and we had decided to see some of the city, like any visitor.

First on the agenda was the much heralded Viking Triangle. It is based around Reginald's Tower, the Medieval Museum and the Bishop’s Palace and you can see them on a combined ticket. Amazing collections of exhibits, everything from a 12th century dog’s collar and Brendan Bowyer’s Hucklebuck shoes to exquisite jewelry (12th century) and the sword of a Viking warrior (broken on his death and buried with him).  And don't forget to visit Christ Church Cathedral. It is all on an easy walk.

Wine vault under the Medieval Museum

 We started in the circular Reginald's Tower, once part of the town's defences, built in the beginning of the 13th century, with a second phase in the 15th century. It was also used as a mint, prison and military store and now houses an exhibition. Here you will see that broken sword and much more as you wander its three small floors.

The modern Medieval Museum, incorporating the 13th century Choristers’ Hall and the 15th century Mayor’s Wine Vault, is Ireland's only such purpose built medieval museum and the first thing you are offered is an opportunity to try out as an archer! You may also mint coins here.

Impressive vestments

There is an Art of Devotion Tour (with many statues having been collected from old churches), models of Waterford, the stunning Vestments Room, read (and see) about James Rice and Luke Wadding, see the Waterford ring brooch, the city’s huge involvement in the import of wine and so much more. Check it all out here.

The Bishop’s Palace, the city’s “exquisite Georgian jewel” starts where the Museum leaves off and brings us right up to date. It houses a lovely cafe, where we stopped, and here you can have breakfast, lunch, morning coffees and afternoon teas, even private functions.

Medieval Museum

 You enter the tour via the Garden Hall and its beautiful fireplace. Portraits and another magnificent fireplace decorate the Grand Landing. Later, see the 18th century painting of the city. Read about General Thomas Francis Meagher.  And bacon problems in the 1890s.

Here you will see old Waterford glass, including the Penrose Decanter (the oldest surviving piece), the John Redmond/Ballybricken room, stories of the First World War (read about 14 year old John Condon, the youngest soldier to die in WW1)  and wars nearer home. Then peace and poverty, and sport of course. And then the better times, the nights of dance and music as you enter the Showbands Room and see those white shoes!

Oldest piece of Waterford glass

That night, following a gorgeous dinner at La Boheme, we met Nollaig Brennan at Downes Pub, an old rambling building (even contains a squash court). Here in the snug, we sipped the local Metalman Pale Ale and were introduced to the pub’s own whiskey, Downes’ No. Nine, smooth as the darkness slipping into the narrow streets outside but much warmer!

Busy too the following day with a visit to Waterford Crystal. By Friday lunchtime, the Harvest Festival had started in earnest and there were stalls in virtually every square around the Mall and the Viking Triangle.

 We were looking for a snack after the visit to the Crystal factory and found it in the Enterprise tent where Walsh's Bakery and the Bodega had combined in a Reuben Sandwich, well maybe a Reuben-ish one. In any case, the spiced beef in the local blaa was absolutely delicious. Other stalls around were offering exotic foods with Portuguese, Kenyan, Polish and more available.

The threatened rain arrived later in the afternoon and we headed out the road to the Ardkeen Superstore, on the face of it a normal supermarket. But inside you'll see that a high proportion of the offering is from small artisan producers and we picked up some nice things there.

Elliot Organ in Christchurch

 That evening saw us head out in the rain to the Bodega. The warm colours, the buzz and excellent food inside soon warmed us up.

The sun shone the following morning and the crowds were out in force, walking around the stalls and sampling. We followed suit of course and had a lovely conversation with Maire Power, the Sea Gardener. She has some interesting produce and after a few tastings, we bought some of her Mushroom and Olive Caponata (with seaweed), some bars (including my favourite Coconut and Lime) and a wee bag of Dillisk!

Great choice at Ardkeen Superstore

Also had a chat with Jeni Pim, busy volunteer (husband Nigel was helping out too) in the GROWfest Demo Tent in Blackfriars. Time too for a coffee at the excellent Momo cafe.Then we took a break from the busy streets to call into Christ Church, which houses the tomb of James Rice - quite a story!

I had seen in the week previous two big organs, one at St Luke’s in Cork and the other at St Coleman’s in Cloyne. But the one here certainly caught my eye as it looked so well. This is the Elliot Organ, restored in 2003 after vandalism, at a cost of some €300,000 euro! Now it is in regular use for services and concerts. Read all about the cathedral and its history here.

Saturday's blue sky

Our visit was now drawing to an end. But we had  a lunch date before departure, guests at the EAT Waterford meal in the marquee on the Mall. After that, just time for a quick browse through the stalls on the Mall and a call to Mag of Goatsbridge to buy a few of her tasty trout products. Back to the car then and, with traffic light, we were back in Cork in an hour and a half, bags full and bags of happy memories too!

Down on the quays

Bodega Waterford. Good Food & Lots of Buzz.

Bodega Waterford

Good Food & Lots of Buzz

It is the sound, the sound of happy conversation, that hits you as you walk to your table in Waterford's Bodega. The warmly painted place is long and narrow, lots of paintings on the walls and waiters moving quickly up and down the center aisle. Busy, buzzy on a Thursday night. Wet outside but warm inside.

Got some nice dips and breads as we considered the menu. Could have had the Early Bird and a Home Grown menu, even a Harvest Fest Special, but we don't come here often so went for the A La Carte.

Fish and Duck

Also went for the local Metalman Pale Ale that they have on draught here. Not alone do they support local brews (and gins, and more) but they also support local food producers in a big way. See the long list here. Bodega is a member of EAT Waterford, a group of 25 restaurants that support local and that means your money stays in the local economy. Pull together!

Soon our starters arrived. I love my artichokes and this time I went for the Artichoke Hearts,

Stewed with White Wine, Tomatoes, Olive Oil & Fresh Herbs (7.90). Delicious. CL’s pick was the Bodega Chicken Liver Paté with Apple Relish & Ballybeg Green Leaves & Homemade Brioche (8.90). Excellent.

Lots of Tasting platters on offer, from the sea and from the land, some for singles, some for doubles. Another very popular dish - it seemed to be going out all night - was the Metalman Battered Fish and Chips. Tempted by all these, but we picked from elsewhere on the extensive menu.

My choice here was the Skeaghanore duck. This is a brilliant product and always ends up in a brilliant dish as was the case here. Fish is strongly featured across the menus and CL’s pick was the Pan-fried Sea-bass with Grantstown Tomato, chermoula and sautéed courgette, another superb dish.

We were feeling pretty full after all that but couldn't resist one of the desserts on the Specials Board, the Dennison’s Roast Plum and Greengage compote, pumpkin seed granola and buttermilk froyo. We shared that beauty and it was two happy punters that stepped out in the feckin’ rain! But there was a taxi in a line outside to ferry us to our hotel.

For review of the Waterford Harvest Fest, check here.
House of Waterford Crystal Tour - Recommended!
EAT Waterford. 5 Course Dinner de Luxe on The Mall.

Celtic Chef at La Boheme

Harvest Days in Waterford. Visiting the Viking City

Meitheal on the Mall. EAT Waterford.

Meitheal on the Mall

EAT Waterford

The Starter

Waterford, Ireland's oldest city, has probably seen many a meal in a tent over the centuries but the weekend event in the Marquee on The Mall highlighted local produce and we were treated to five courses of delicious food, all prepared by a meitheal of local chefs and a big crew of helpers.

Indeed, the whole Harvest Festival, which ran from Friday to Sunday, had local produce at its heart as producers in the various markets, SuperValu with their food academy, bars who had no shortage of craft beer and other local drinks (Blackwater gin and Muldoon whiskey for example) and especially the GIY locations around Blackfriars, all embraced the idea of locavoring.

Hake

The practice of sourcing locally grown food has much going for it: freshness (so nutritional superiority), better taste, avoids trucking and air transport, biodiversity, and perhaps most importantly, supporting the local economy.

EAT Waterford is an association of 25 of the city's restaurants, restaurants that produce a great diversity of styles based on produce from the local farms and producers and, of course, all that fresh fish from the nearby seas, You’ll see their brochure at many places, including tourist offices, all over the city. Pick one up and you’ll enjoy your stay all the better.

Lamb

Dessert x3!

The weekend Tasting Menu in the Marquee highlighted the excellence of both the food and the chefs. Five restaurants were involved in this year's effort and the people that got together to work their culinary magic were Christine and Eric (La Boheme), Stan, Mailo and Kelly (The Athenaeum), Donagh and Daithí (Loko), Arnaud and Patrice (L’Atmosphere), Tony (Bellissimo), and all their restaurant teams.

There were six opportunities to enjoy the meal. I came to eat at lunchtime on Saturday and enjoyed it immensely. I still think that the hake dish was the tops but all were excellent and we had a surprise glass of Muldoon Whiskey Liqueur as the finalé. The night sessions were sold out and it looks as if there will be more of them in 2016. A great idea and well done to all at EAT Waterford and to their producers.

Some of the chefs, gazpacho, the Muldoon surprise.

Also on this trip:

Celtic Chef at La Boheme

Bodega, good food, good fun

Interesting Tour of Waterford Glass

Harvest Days in Waterford. Visiting the Viking City