THE WEEKEND CATCH

WEEKEND CATCH

Restaurant & Bar Scene in Cork

via Twitter & Facebook

No.5 Fenns Quay Restaurant Come join us this Monday night for a Sicilian wine dinner and be in with a chance of winning a case of wine. We have a four course dinner paired with six different wines. The price is €50 which includes the food and wine (Plenty of it!!). There will be a draw at the end of the night when one lucky attendee will win a 6 bottle mixed case of wine. We hope it will be a fun and relaxed evening.  Welcome to all. No 5 Fenns Quay

Nautilus restaurant will be open the evening of the Bank Holiday Sunday (2nd of August).
We will also have an early bird menu (6 to 6.45pm) from next week on.
And don't forget, we are now open on Tuesday nights.

Making jam: try juicy jams, cherries, beetroot and more http://allrecipes.co.uk/

All day, every Tuesday, in both Cafe Gusto’s, on Washington St. and Lapps Quay, we would love to be the venue for your tweetmeet, big or small. By way of encouragement, fill us in on your meet and we offer you TWO teas or coffees for the price of ONE. Free Wi-Fi available at Lapps Quay plus iPhone chargers are available for use in both cafes. We are currently trialling #TweetMeetTues, so any feedback would be gratefully received. http://twitter.com/cafegusto

Why do potatoes go green? The health implications... http://www.fsai.ie/faq/green_potatoes.html

See the Curious Wines interview with NZ wine-maker Andrew Greenhough: Curious: The Curious Wines Wine Blog » Blog Archive » The Andrew Greenhough interview (part one)

Pat_Whelan: Check out this article and recipe for Chicken Terrine from my blog. http://bit.ly/b2fD4S

McCarthy’s prize winning Boudin Noir (black pudding) is available at Nash 19 (taster plate and takeaway counter); also at On the Pigs Back in Douglas.

The Riverside Café, Skibbereen, has a Mystery Celebrity Chef Night fundraiser in aid of 2010 Food Festival on Tues 3 Aug. Details: www.riversideskibbereen.ie

Tom Doorley has been putting out strange tweets about YR sauce and Bobby Bars and other ancient stuff. He explains:   The reason for these strange tweets about food products is because I'm writing a book called Eating for Ireland (working title). 

The Bord Bia Quality Mark – read all about at http://www.bordbia.ie/aboutfood/quality/Pages/default.aspx

Blair’s Inn have put up their recipe for their Chocolate Gâteau. “It's one of our most popular desserts. What's more, it's gluten free!” http://bit.ly/b3oFFM

Know someone between 8 and 12 who loves cooking? RTE is running a kids cooking competition early next month. For more info, email pansonfire@rte.ie 
or simply call 01 208 3171 and ask for Ciara. 

Anglers Rest in Leemount (Cork)

ANGLERS REST
(Leemount Cross, Carrigrohane)

Arrived in the Anglers Rest the other day after a long walk from town. Told my welcoming host that I deserved a pint. “You walked out?” he asked. I told him the story. “That’s a good ten kilometres,” he said. He was probably right. Enjoyed my pint of Becks (€4.30) in the spacious sunny riverside beer-garden.

Enjoying myself so much, I rang for company and got a wife and dog together (and a spin home, of course!). Even the dog got a big welcome from the jolly proprietor who served up a dish of cool water.

Lunch was being served so we joined in, each going for the salmon. It was quite a plateful from the carvery: the salmon, the creamy mash and the vegetables (cabbage and carrot), were all cooked to perfection.

This was an excellent example of pub grub, nothing historic of course, but done to a good standard. Indeed, the visit left one with the feeling that we’d be back to enjoy more of this pub, its food, its drink and its riverbank location.

Bill by the way, for the main course, plus a pint and a half of Becks, came to €30.55. And unusually, that fifty five cent was knocked off the bill by our host!

Check out my review of Anglers Rest - I am cork - on Qype

O'Connor Butchers in Cork

O’CONNOR’S BUTCHERS (MAYFIELD)
Cormac O’Connor’s Butcher Shop has been providing a fine service for the people of Mayfield for quite a few years now. It is well situated, at the bottom of Silverheights and close to our Lady Crowned Credit Union. The shop is always clean and well lit and has its own parking. There is quite a selection of meats there and the service is invariably good.
O’Connor recently hit the foodie headlines when his Glazed Ham was chosen, with some Ballymaloe products, among others, to feed the hungry crews of the Clipper 09-10 race on Lapps Quay. They have now left these shores but O’Connor’s local customers will keep the flag flying!

Check out my review of O'Connor Butchers - I am cork - on Qype
Pic: St Joseph's Park, just across the road from O'Connor's

CORK MARKET'S TODAY.

LOW KEY DEBUT FOR LAPPS QUAY BAZAAR

MARKETS REPORT

Aside from a Mango and Apricot chutney from Aldi’s, today’s simple lunch came from the English Market. The man in On the Pig’s Back said the St Gall came from Tipperary and is often mistaken for a French cheese but we know this top class product is made by the Fermoy Natural Cheese Company. The cheese and the chutney combined tastily on chuncks of the Country Baguette by Kinsale’s Tom’s Bakery.

While I bought the bread from the Alternative Bread Company in the English Market, Tom’s were on duty at the Coal Quay Market in Emmett Place which had a good turnout and where, among the plants, the food and the knitwear, you could buy the dreaded vuvuzela.

Called down to the debut Lapp’s Quay Bazaar first today. Reached it about 11.30am and, at that stage, everything was low key, the handful of stalls, most selling jewellery, one books, attracting hardly a handful of customers.

The English Market was much busier. Got some mussels and hake from Ballycotton Seafood where they weren't all at happy with the recently announced increase in parking charges, saying that business around town was already poor enough.

A few yards later and I was in front of Iago’s and buying a pot of their Provencal style ratatouille. Cheese and bread were then added to the bag but I could see no sign of Redcurrant jelly anywhere and I ended up buying that (with ten per cent Cabernet Sauvignon added) in the Food Hall at Marks and Spencer’s.

Little Buddha in Cork

LITTLE BUDDHA 

(teas and coffees)

There are massive selections of teas and coffees from all around the world in the Little Buddha shop in McCurtain Street. The tea, by the way, is in leaf form, no tea bags in this friendly Czech run shop.
There are dozens of jars there and you smell each one individually before purchase. Just to put my foot in the water, I asked to see the Pu Erh. There were at least four of them. I liked the smell of the regular Shu the best, a four year old from the Menghai district in Yunnan province. Fifty grammes cost me €4.80.
My companion also made a purchase and the man behind the counter threw in some Rooibos (from South Africa) as a freebie.
This little shop is a welcome addition to the food scene here and indeed is attracting people from abroad. While we were window-shopping before we went in, a French couple arrived, Michelin green guidebook in hand, and went directly in and purchased a large amount.
www.littlebuddha.ie (will be operational soon for online sales)

Check out my review of Little Buddha - I am cork - on Qype

THE WEEKEND CATCH

WEEKEND CATCH 

fresh from the net

Restaurant & Bar Scene in Cork

Greenes Restaurant Cork Hi Everybody this Friday night July 16th we are offering a complementary glass of wine with your main course meal. Mention Facebook offer when you book. Enjoy.

Nash 19 Representing one of West Corks Finest Bakeries, Richard from Patisserie Regale, Dunmanway, will be Prince’s Street  today introducing some of their delicious cookies from 11 to 2, Friday 16th July. Beautiful hand made Lavender Shortbread, and "Ladies Kisses", baked and presented with care, almost too good to give away!

THE BOARDWALK: The fabulous Mr James Gornall will be playing all the best in contemporary pop and rock for your listening pleasure this Friday. Why not come along for a pre-dinner drink or two or wind down after that long week? And remember, The Boardwalk offers the very best in local and not so local talent for your listening pleasure every Friday. Keep checking our events invites.

Blairs Inn WIN! WIN! WIN! a FREE MEAL FOR TWO IN OUR AWARD WINNING RESTAURANT - just suggest to all your friends to become Fans of our page - when you're done, email me on blairsinn@gmail.com to say you've done so and the number you have suggested it to & that is it! You are in the draw.

Liberty Grill A quick note, we will be closed for our annual shut down on Tuesday 3rd, Wednesday 4th and Thursday the 5th of August. This so we can give the building some much needed TLC.

THE SILK PURSE/AN CRÚIBÍN Not familiar with the whacky videos from this source? Check them out at http://themeatcentre.com/wordpress/?cat=22

umnumnum_cork is a regular on twitter and she had this amusing tale up yesterday:

 “God-daughter lives on small farm got asked 2day if she has pigs. She said yes but they are in the freezer.”

NAUTILUS

NAUTILUS

Listen. I’ll be saying this for a while. The Nautilus, overlooking Ballycotton Pier, is one fantastic restaurant, well worth a visit any Tuesday to Saturday evening plus Sunday lunch.

Last night’s meal there was superb from start to finish. The choice is quite large for a small restaurant, there are about six items on each course, plus a few specials each evening.

On this Bastille Day, we started with one of the specials, an organic Gravad Lax, served with new potato salad, and a dill and lemon oil (€9). Well presented, it pleased the eye and soon pleased other senses as we cleaned the plates. An excellent combination, easy on the eye, easy to eat, washed down with a dry and flavoursome Verdejo (€5 per glass).

For the main course, I choose the Slow cooked Hake (€19/50), on a bed of mashed potato, with green Asparagus and a lemon and butter sauce. Once again this was a superb combination of fresh ingredients, so well cooked, that it was a pleasure to linger over it. But not for long!

Slow cooked Plaice (€21) was one of the evening’s specials. This was served, in a high sided plate, with new steamed potatoes, green beans, rocket salad and topped with semi-dried tomato, caper and shallot. Again this was well cooked, and you could easily taste the difference (if you reached across, that is), between the plaice and the hake. The accompaniment was superbly chosen and again it was just a very satisfying plateful.

We were finding it difficult to make a decision between the desserts until Front of House strongly hinted at the Strawberry tartlet (€6.50), served with a Coteaux (sweet wine from the Loire) Jelly. This was the traditional French tart, baker’s custard in the pastry, the berries glazed. But I think you’d be hard pushed to find its sweet equal anywhere in France or Ireland. Gorgeous. Bonne fete!

First impressions: The room is small enough but big windows open to the harbour, the island and the sea. No linen on the tables but they are solid, as are the chairs which are soft where you want them to be and supportive at the back, very comfortable.

Service: A warm greeting and a big smile set the tone and after that service was friendly and efficient.

The Food: We have some excellent restaurants in Cork and this is another one.

The Verdict: Very satisfied and happy to highly recommend it.


Photo of Ballycotton lighthouse taken on way to restaurant yesterday evening.

FISH LOVERS

Calling All Fish Lovers !!

Join Slow Food West Cork for a "Mackerel and a Pint" at The Poacher's Inn, Bandon

Sunday July 25th, 3pm to 5.30pm

Fresh Mackerel from local waters served with salad, followed by local strawberries.

Served with a Pint, a glass of wine or a soft drink.

€20 adults €13.00 Children under 13

A GREAT FAMILY EVENT SO DO BRING THE CHILDREN!

We will also learn about the value and sustainability of our fish from Susan Steele of BIM SDC Clonakilty, and watch a mackerel filleting demonstration by Barry McLaughlin, Chef/Patron of Poacher's Inn Bandon.  

Bookings can be made at Urru Culinary Store, MacSwiney Quay, Bandon (023 8854731) or The Poachers Inn, Bandon (023 8841159)
(All bookings must be accompanied by payment)

Thanks to Mairead of Nash 19 for alerting us to this fish and fun event at the Poacher's Inn. There is always something going on in Nash 19 and this coming Friday, Richard from Patisserie Regale, Dunmanway, will be introducing some of their delicious cookies from 11 to 2, Friday 16th July. Beautiful hand made Lavender Shortbread, and "Ladies Kisses", baked and presented with care, almost too good to give away!

WEST CORK HOTEL

The West Cork Hotel is a terrific base to visit the area, particularly Skibbereen, Baltimore and Ballydehob. The lively hotel, on the banks of the Ilen, in Skibbereen, is close to some great restaurants in the town, including Over the Moon, but serves some decent food itself.

I spent some time there earlier in the year and was quite impressed with the place, including the restaurant and the bar. And it is at the bar tables that they serve these value for money specials each night. They were on offer when I was there and I thought it was just an early season special but the unbelievably good value continues. 

TESCO IN MAHON POINT

The major supermarket chains are often portrayed as the big bad wolves of the food industry.

Is it all bad? I know the Bridgestone Irish Food Guide editorial came down on them like a pack of Dutch defenders in the ninth edition. But the products of many of the food producers lavishly praised by Bridgestone are to be seen in the major supermarkets.

Tesco spend two billion (their own figure) on Irish food and drink each year, including everything from salads to Angus Beef. Quite a lot of organic produce on display there also.

I recently filled a trolley at Tesco’s Mahon shop, including a few of those gorgeous yoghurts from Glenilen Farm in West Cork, and that was after a buying quite a  bit at the weekly Farmers Market outside.

I understand, from some producers, that Good Food customers, especially organic fans, stay loyal in the downturn and are prepared to pay a small premium to keep getting their favourite foods but who can blame the busy financially challenged houseperson doing the weekly shopping (say for two adults and two plus kids) from taking advantage of the choices and prices at places like Tesco.

Green Saffron Spices Ltd in Midleton

GREEN SAFFRON

www.greensaffron.com

Green Saffron, the Route to Fresh Spices. That’s what the leaflet says. But there is a whole pile more coming from the Midleton based Indian food company.
Arun is the public face of Green Saffron and you can find him at a string of local markets (Cork, Limerick, Dublin...), selling his products and often with a free recipe thrown in. They supply the retail (via many outlets) and wholesale markets, including top Irish and British restaurants. See the website for details.
Hellie, a great friend of this site, is an Arun fan: “You should try making the Green Saffron Curry from the spice mixes - amazing! Arun is fantastic and with the instructions given to you what could go wrong? Try the Korma, Oudi Murgh or Tandoori. All to die for!”
Met Arun myself at one of stalls recently and took the easy way out, buying one of his takeaway Tiffin Tubs that contained enough John Rogan Lamb for two, also a pack of aged Basmati Rice plus a couple of Naan bread. We enjoyed that meal and the cost? Just a tenner.
Oh, by the way, if you are a bit nervous about doing your own curry, then Arun has a solution: an invite to a monthly Curry Night with himself and General Manager Gail where they do the cooking and you watch and then eat. Again, see the site for details.
It is just an amazing service, from a company that supplies big names such as Richard Corrigan and Raymond Blanc but obviously values the little names as well.

Check out my review of Green Saffron Spices Ltd - I am cork - on Qype

VARIETY AT THE LIBERTY GRILL

JULY SPECIALS

The Liberty Grill in Washington Street is up among my top restaurants in Cork. Cooking and service are excellent. Though the Grill, based on the US East Coast neighbourhood restaurant concept, is justly famous for its burgers, there is never a shortage of variety on offer, that variety often enhanced by the addition of monthly specials.

Fancy an early meal today? Then why not have a look at their July Brunch and Lunch specials.

Brunch (‘til 5pm) 
Scrambled Serrano 6.95 
Shredded thinly sliced Spanish serrano with scrambled 
free range eggs on sourdough toast and served with 
tomato relish (with glass of cava plus tea or coffee 12.50) 

Irish Strawberries (v) 5.95 
with natural yogurt and toasted hazelnuts 

Banana Tempura (v) 5.95 
Sweet banana lightly dipped in a buttermilk batter, 
shallow fried and served with a choice of pancake 
or French toast, maple syrup and cream 


Lunch (from 12 midday) 

Peri-Peri Chicken Burger 13.50 
West Cork chicken breast, marinated in peri-peri 
sauce, chargrilled and served with avocado and lime 

Beetroot and Goats Cheese Salad (v) 8.95 
A summer salad of local leaves, young beetroot, 
Ardsallagh goat’s cheese with toasted barley, broad 
beans and sweet pickled gooseberries 

SLOWFOOD CORK CITY - A MYSTERY TOUR

Slowfood Cork City has teamed up with some of the best restaurants in Cork to offer foodies great food in relaxed surroundings. The chosen restaurants are well known for their support of local producers and growers and their creativity to create amazing dishes.

 

The evening will start of at 6pm on Tuesday 13th July with a lovely glass of bubbles at Interior Living in MacCurtain Street. Simone Kelly will welcome us in her shop which is a treasure chest full of exciting furniture, giftware and a larder with lots of foodie goodies. Slow Food members will remember Simone as the previous convivium leader of Cork City - we are still missing her immensely. Her knowledge about local produce and food is second to none and I am sure she will share her knowledge with you on the night.

 

From there we will start our mystery tour - and since it is a mystery night, we won't give any more details.

 

Please note: As the restaurants involved are keeping their tables free for us, we will need confirmed numbers by the 8th July. Upfront payment is necessary (payment can be made at Interior Living by cash or cheque - no credit cards can be accepted). A minimum number is required to make it worthwhile for the restaurants - the event will not go ahead if numbers are not met.

 

Please wear comfortable shoes as walking between the course is required.

 

Price for members is €40 and for non-members €45. Included in the price is a 3 course meal with a glass of wine for starter and main course and tea/coffee for dessert.

Please inform us if you have dietary requirements and we will try to accommodate you.

 

As always, please email Caz and Deirdre on corkcity@slowfoodireland.com

 

Old Millbank Smokehouse in Buttevant

OLD MILLBANK SMOKEHOUSE


A couple of weeks back, I enjoyed the Good Food Ireland plate for lunch at Nash 19. One of the items included was a smashing smoked salmon made by the Old Millbank Smokehouse in Buttevant.
Geraldine Bass is the lady behind the Willow Pond enterprise and I spotted her stand at a recent Farmer’s Market. Smoked Salmon and Trout were displayed but I was after something else and that was her Salmon Pâté.
Four euro bought me a fine tub of it. Started it yesterday for lunch and we agreed that it was a class product, subtle yet strong enough. Great stuff and that will be finished off soon as a starter for our wet Friday night in.

You'll find Old Millbank at the Mahon Point Farmers Market (below)

Check out my review of Old Millbank Smokehouse - I am cork - on Qype

IDAHO CAFE

 THE IDAHO CAFE

Downtown for a few hours today, principally to say Bon Voyage to the Clipper 09-10 race as the ten racing boats left the city quays on the last leg of their 35,000 mile trip around the world.

Took a walk in the rain over to the Idaho Cafe for a slightly early lunch. I choose the Potato and Gubbeen Cheese with Bacon and was glad that I did. I could have eaten the Morris Piper potatoes on their own but, mixed with the Gubbeen, the combination was unbeatable.

The Cafe is small but comfortable enough. Service is friendly and efficient and the cooking is top class. My main course, with a small salad, cost €11.00.

Oonagh Poynton in Youghal

POYNTON – RHINECREW COOKERY

“Oonagh Poynton is a truly fine cook....she is as expert with the sweet as she is with the savoury.” So says the Bridgestone Guide (2010).
Came across a selection of her cakes and jams at the Mahon Point Farmers Market recently and helped myself to a jar of her thick-cut marmalade. It went down a treat (well not all of it –yet) with some white bread from the Natural Foods Bakery and I must say I was very happy with the purchase, wrapped very nicely indeed by Mr Poynton.
Being from Youghal, you will find her products at local markets such as Lismore and the West Waterford Food festival and her cookery classes at Rhinecrew are also quite a draw. The marmalade has broken the ice for me and I’ll be on the look-out for her products in the future.
Just one little puzzle: she is generally referred to as Oonagh on the net and in the Guide but hubby told me the U on the jam-jar was for Una.

Check out my review of Oonagh Poynton - I am cork - on Qype

Mileeven Fine Foods in Kilkenny

MILEEVEN FINE FOODS

Always willing to try something new and always on the lookout, I picked up a pot of Honey with Sour Cherries recently at the Kilkenny Shop in Shanagarry. Mileeven, a company based in Piltown, is noted for its innovation and mixes its honey with Blueberries, Hazelnuts and Irish Mist among other ingredients.
Maybe I should have tried the Irish Mist. I must admit that I won't be buying the Sour Cherries blend again. It didn't go down that well. I didn't regard the mix as at all successful with the cherries spoiling the honey and vice versa. Still, that won't stop me trying products from the highly successful company in the future.
But I could well be buying them through the net. This little 250 gram jar cost €4.50 in Shanagarry, over double the price from the Mileeven website shop! (http://www.mileeven.com/)

Check out my review of Mileeven Fine Foods - I am cork - on Qype

MAHON POINT FARMERS MARKET

MAHON POINT FARMERS MARKET

Dull morning in Mahon today but the Farmers Market was as lively as ever. Reached the venue just around opening time and started with a five euro bag of mackerel from O’Driscoll’s of Schull.

Passed Una Poynton’s jam and cake stand and realised I had finished the last of the marmalade at breakfast. Una wasn't there but hubby was and my jar of thick cut was wrapped neatly in a fancy bag.

Headed then for Green Saffron and decided to try it out by buying a meal in a tub: lamb, rice and bread for two. Instructions of course came with it, generously detailed by the man himself.

Then called to the Gubbeen Smokehouse  spot to buy the five star Chorizo. That will be served with our favourite Spanish rice recipe.

A trip around here could take all day, so we had to be somewhat selective but couldn't resist the Old Millbank smoked fish stall where we bought some of their delicious salmon pate.

Also made a stop at the Natural Foods Bakery  where a round of a terrific organic white bread set us back €2.65.

Don't normally shop at Tesco’s but since we were there.... we filled up the trolley, yoghurts from Glenilen and some Czech beer buried deep in the load.

Janet's Country Fayre in Wicklow

JANET’S COUNTRY FAYRE
Relishes and Chutneys generally improve whatever you have on the table: meats, cheeses, and salads. And Janet’s Country Fayre produce one of the best ranges of chutneys and relishes you are likely to find and have been doing so since 1994 when the Wicklow enterprise was established.
Came across a stand of the products, some of them cheekily named, a few days back and bought a few. Only one, the Special Vinaigrette, has been tried out so far and all attendees at a small dinner party remarked favourably on it.
There are many more products including Ploughman’s Chutney, Tomato and Chilli salsa, Cucumber Pickle, Smart Ass Sauce and Really Good Ketchup. Watch out for their very helpful leaflet with many suggestions (even recipes) as to how to get the best from the tempting products. All the info may be accessed at the website: http://www.janetscountryfayre.com
Check it out!

Check out my review of Janet's Country Fayre - I am cork - on Qype

The Club Brasserie

THE CLUB BRASSERIE


Made my first visit to the Club Brasserie this week. It won’t be the last. Great food, good value (in local terms) and excellent service always brings the customer back.
Started by studying the Early Bird (25 euro for 3 courses) and the A la Carte. Then put those aside as a packed specials board was brought to the table, enough tempting dishes for a week’s visits.
Picked the Tomato and Basil Soup to start with. I was on a winner straight away as this was an excellent bowlful. Oh, and the bread was top class also.
Then on to the main courses. Mine was the Seared Tuna with tomato, avocado, green beans and potato gratin. The fish was just so, tasty and moist and the vegetables fitted the bill to perfection. The other main course at the table was an Aubergine and Onion Tart with a sweet tomato chutney, salad and potato wedges. A little on the sweet side for me but she just loved it.
Dessert was Crème Brulee, with a difference, the difference being a mix of summer berries, a classy way to finish off a classy meal. Total, including €14.95 for 50cl of the house wine special, came to €68.70.

Despite all the good things here, it was a very quiet Thursday night, just a handful of people in. Should be better next week when the round-the –world Clippers will be docked at nearby Albert Quay.

Club Brasserie, Lapps Quay, Cork +353 (0)21 427-3987

Check out my review of The Club Brasserie - I am cork - on Qype

ALL RECIPES UPDATE

Just got an update from Diana of All Recipes with news of a cookbook giveaway right here

You can also get some brilliant summer and barbecue recipes on the site

You may even be tempted to contribute a recipe or two yourself and join in the fun

SUPER DRINKS

SUPER DRINKS

It was in the poems of 1963 Nobel prize winner Giorgos Seferis, a Greek, that I first remember coming across the exotic word pomegranate. And it was a long time after that that the fruit, especially its juice, became generally available in this country.

I was reminded of this as I was tasting some samples from the widely available Pomegreat range, not just your plain Pomegranate but some unexpected blends. I tasted two of these, the first with Blueberry and the second with Beetroot. The Blueberry was fine but I must admit that I was more than pleasantly surprised by the Beetroot blend, quite a nice rounded drink. The plain also was fine.

The range is widely available (including Dunnes and Superquinn) and costs around two euro a litre.

A recent study by a group of doctors at St. Bartholomew’s and the Royal London Hospital has been particularly important in supporting the claim that Beetroot is of super food status. Read more here.

Pomegreat, the makers of the pomegranate super juice drinks, claim that these drinks can help in the lowering of blood pressure and you may study that report here 

South County in Douglas (Cork)

SOUTH COUNTY

Met a few friends at the South County in Douglas one night this week. I really liked this expanded bar. Big bars are sometimes like a big shed but good use has been of the space here which has been arranged into a series of nooks (some bigger than others) but all within easy reach of a counter.

Indeed, the friendly staff here are “pro-active”. I was on my way to the counter when an assistant met me, took the order and delivered it to the table. It was a little on the late side for the food but they do operate a cafe here, more than likely to the same high standards.

Impressed too with the toilets. These are clean and spacious and the walls are decorated with a series of “saucy postcard” type cartoons. I was having a laugh but the fellow next to me, obviously a regular, said he’d seen them all before and more than once!

Check out my review of South County - I am cork - on Qype

KILKENNY CAFE (SHANAGARRY)

KILKENNY CAFE (SHANAGARRY)

Left Ballymaloe Cookery School Gardens on Tuesday, feeling hungry. A bit ironic, isn't it? But the famous school doesn't have its own cafe. Not to worry and we headed for the Kilkenny Cafe in the village, in the former Stephen Pearce emporium.

Walked through the shop. The cafe, indoor and outdoor, is at the far end. We were warmly greeted and took a seat outdoors overlooking the local fields and looking out towards Ballycotton. With a dinner arranged (fresh hake from the English market) for the evening, we didn't need anything major.

Started with a delicious Potato and Leek soup (€4.50) and a couple of slices of gorgeous freshly made brown bread. Skipped a variety of well priced main courses – tempting salads, burgers, Paninis – and ended with a pot of tea and scones (with all the trimmings, including jam and cream). Total came to just over seventeen euro.

Took a stroll through the shop and bought a few food items. Service, at both restaurant and shop, was first class, very friendly and efficient. So, if you are in East Cork, an under-rated area where there is so much to see and do, I’d recommend you mark this cafe as a stop on your tour.

BALLYMALOE COOKERY SCHOOL GARDENS

BALLYMALOE COOKERY SCHOOL GARDENS 

Made a very enjoyable visit today to the Ballymaloe Cookery School Gardens (and Farm Shop). Arches of traditional varieties of apple, with a few hens and cocks resting and scratching, lead you on the way.

Highlights for me were the Herb Garden and the Herbaceous Border. Other gardens are the vegetable garden, the fantastic Maze (planted in 1996) and the Pleasure Garden (with trees, bigger shrubs and a pond with fountain).

There are over 70 varieties of herbs in the garden, laid out in a formal parterre edged with box hedges. Plenty of fresh herbs then for Ballymaloe House and Cafe but it was an old-timer Sage that caught my eye. This knurled specimen (photo) must have been over twenty years old.

The herbaceous Border is almost worth the €6.50 entrance fee on its own. Planted in 1996, it has thrived here, though not without a great deal of care and attention. Here, deep borders of fabulous perennials and grasses make it one of the very best of its type.

At the end of the border is the Shell House, with shell decoration by artist Blott Kerr-Wilson. Unfortunately, the door was bolted and I had to take my picture through the glass. Still, you get some idea of the intricacy of her work. I forgot to ask on the way out about the closure (temporary or permanent).


NOTE 10.11.10: Blott Kerr-Wilson has been in touch and you may see much better pictures of the shell house on her site here.

Did call to the shop and picked up a few of Darina's products. Disappointingly, while the gardens belong to the famous cooking school, there is no cafe in this location, that being a mile or two away alongside Ballymaloe House.

The entrance to the gardens is via the road opposite the church in Shanagarry. All the details at www.cookingisfun.ie

BARRY'S TEA WANT YOUR MUG (SHOT) - LAST CHANCE

Just got this late message from Barry's Tea. If you want your face on their new packs, act now. Read on....

Just thought I’d let you know, since you’re a Barry’s Tea fan and everything, that dreams are about to come true!! As a big thank you to everyone who voted for Barry’s Tea in the SuperValu People’s Choice Awards Barry’s are offering all fans a chance to send in their pics to be immortalised in a collage on packs of Barry’s Tea 80’s. The boxes will be on sale in SuperValu’s nationwide in the coming months.

If you think your readers would be interested in sending any pics of themselves, friends, pets etc to be potentially included we’ve got one day left for this offer and all they need to do is send in (high res) pictures to barrystea@thinkhousepr.com. There’s some more info onwww.facebook.com/barrystea and keep up with Barry’s on twitter check it out on @BarrysTeaTweets.

Thanks so much and don’t forget to send YOUR pic in too!!

Laura

NASH 19

NASH 19 

Lunch can be a pretty routine occasion, almost like a pit stop. Not though if you go to Nash 19. Different class.

Friendly Rose took us through the menu in detail and gave a few recommendations. We liked the look of the Good Ford Ireland Plate at €13.95 and went for it. Served, tapas style, it was a mini feast of tastes and colours, including a Squash Soup taster, Smoked Salmon from Buttevant’s Old Mill, Nash’s own chicken liver pate, Oisín and Milleen cheeses with Nash’s own delicious biscuits, Crowe's Pork Belly and Bacon and Gubbeen salami, all with their own relishes.

When you go out to eat, you really want something different, different to what you can manage at home. This was it. Couldn't fault any little piece of it. My favourite bites? Perhaps the Chicken Liver which was better than recent Foie Gras tastings. The Bacon tasted just like the real thing should and the salami was also a highlight.

Moved onto dessert then. Had a share of Walnut Cakes in the Dordogne recently but that didn't stop me picking the Cherry and Walnut Cake. So well made, done to a “t” and so very very lovely. Also sampled the Berry Pie and was half sorry I didn't take that but then I’d have been half sorry I hadn’t taken the Cherry and Walnut.

Will have to go again. And again. Lovely place, lovely people and, yes Tom Doorley, this was an enjoyable meal.