TURKEY AND ALL THAT

Christmas Food - Where Our Christmas Dinner Comes FromIn a podcast, Regina Sexton, food and culinary historian from University College Cork and the author of A Little History of Irish Food, discusses the topic...at  http://ow.ly/MIcT and then click on podcasts

Tipperary Mushrooms in Cork

TIPPERARY MUSHROOMS
Got some really large flat mushrooms at the Tipperary Mushrooms stall in Mahon Point recently. They have various dressings available. I got chorizo and mozzarella.
They make a decent starter but don't expect too much of the dressings. The cheese was a very very thin slice and the sausage bits were minute. Still the taste was there and they went down well.

Check out my review of Tipperary Mushrooms - I am cork - on Qype

Killumney Inn in Cork

KILLUMNEY INN
About 30 of us descended on Mike Sheahan’s Killumney Inn last night for a works re-union. The efficient barman kept the drinks flowing and our host came up trumps with baskets of decent finger-food including some very nice chicken pieces which went down well with my stout.
The Killumney Inn, a long established bar and restaurant complex just off the main Cork-Macroom road (near EMC), is a popular venue and can be very busy for weekend lunches. Mr Sheahan, a hands on host, was in fine form. He sponsors the local soccer team, Killumney Utd, and reckons they could come up trumps this season.

Check out my review of Killumney Inn - I am cork - on Qype

Hedermans Smoked Fish in Cork

HEDERMAN’S SMOKED FISH
First came across Frank Hederman’s smoked fish when I bought some eel from his stall at the Farmers’ Market in Midleton a couple of years back.

They still do the Farmers’ Markets ay Cobh and Midleton and, in addition, can now be found in the English Market.
Called there today and bought some smoked mackerel, one dressed with a chilli flavour, the other with Piri Piri. Used them with beetroot in a starter. Lovely.

Check out my review of Hedermans Smoked Fish - I am cork - on Qype

The Good Food Shop in Cork

THE GOOD FOOD SHOP
The Good Food Shop in the English Market has a huge stock but I was on the hunt for one of the first batches of Ummera Smoked Duck, recently trialled at various food events. Didn’t really expect it to be available as the producers hadn’t flagged its availability in the city on their site or on twitter.

But lo and behold. There were two little packages at €5.99 each. Grabbed them quickly. The helpful lady at the till had been previously mightily impressed by Ummera’s smoked chicken and salmon but was wondering about the duck. Assured her it was absolutely gorgeous and it is!

Check out my review of The Good Food Shop - I am cork - on Qype

The Chocolate Shop in Cork

The Chocolate Shop
You could miss the chocolate shop in the English Market but once you find it you will never miss it again.
It is a small packed treasure trove of all things chocolate, a must see destination for choc lovers.
Their own say: “Independent of any chocolate manufacturer or franchise, we are free to source the best quality artisan chocolate from the best chocolate manufacturers throughout the world.”
Picked up some truffles there today: Baileys and Amaretto, 60 cent a piece. Gorgeous. I loved both, but I have to say the Baileys was the favourite in this house.

Check out my review of The Chocolate Shop - I am cork - on Qype

Sheehan Butchers in Cork

SHEEHAN BUTCHERS
Sheehan Butchers have made considerable improvements to their St Luke’s shop in recent years. With huge new cold counters installed, it is now big and bright and the friendly service is as good as ever.

You can get all your meat requirements here. The meats are sourced locally. It doesn’t stop at meat – it is also a very good stop for other related items, including things like marinated pork products, meat balls, chicken and beef on skewers and so on. They also sell potatoes and watch out for the excellent rashers (packed by Ballincollig Bacon Slicers).
Keep, an eye also for special promotions. On my very recent visit, they had 25 per cent off the price of everything. Great value.

Check out my review of Eugene Sheehan - I am cork - on Qype

BEST OF 2009

2009 REVIEW
A personal list from restaurants visited this year. Sorry I couldn't get to all. Maybe it's just as well - I'd be fat or broke, maybe both



MY FAVOURITE RESTAURANTS

Les Gourmandises

Fenns Quay



HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

The Continental

The Woodside



ALSO RECOMMENDED

Market Lane

Rising Tide

Soho



BEST FISH RESTAURANT

Fishy Fishy



BEST ASIAN RESTAURANT

Kudos (in the Clarion)



BEST SOUP

French Onion soup, with Gruyere and croutons (Market Lane)



BEST STARTER

Tomato Broth, served with a Gin Cream (Woodside).

Tomato and brie pot (Fenns Quay)



BEST MAIN COURSE

Duck in Plum Sauce (Continental)

Ham Hock (Les Gourmandises)



BEST DESSERT

Bread and butter pudding with whisky soaked raisins (Fleva Kilkenny)

Fresh fruit trifle, layered in a glass cup (Fishy Fishy)



RESTAURANT WISHES

A: That Brittany Ferries would open a land version (in Ringaksiddy or thereabouts) of Le Flora, the restaurant on board their Cork-Roscof ferry Pont Aven.

B: That Le Cottage and La Foret be beamed across from the north banks of the Gironde estuary to the North Bank of the Lee (preferably above flood levels!).

C: Fishy Fishy to open to city.

Long Valley Bar in Cork

THE LONG VALLEY
The Long Valley is a longish narrow pub with a shortish very narrow toilet (gents, haven’t seen the ladies loo!). They say they make the best sandwiches in the world but it was little too early for lunch when I called for a cup of coffee. Got it straight away from the friendly lady and it cost a saucy enough €2.30 considering that it was just an ordinary coffee and that , a few yards away, the Old Oak will give you an ordinary coffee and a scone for 2 euro.
Still there was nothing wrong with it and I enjoyed it as I have enjoyed a few pints there over the years, though this fairly basic establishment is not everyone's cup of tea. Especially those who like their comfort! But it is central.

Check out my review of Long Valley Bar - I am cork - on Qype

Moran Silversprings Hotel in Cork

MORAN SILVERSPRINGS HOTEL
Silversprings Hotel is full of surprises. It is a fine hotel with all the usual facilities. Great place for large groups, such as dinner dances and weddings. I’ve enjoyed a few there. The restaurant is not bad either and they have an early bird (€19.95 for 2 courses) on at the moment.
My latest visit to the Eoin Daly managed venue came last night to take part in the Raising Cork Quiz, the hastily but so well organised quiz in aid of the local flood victims. TV and Radio personality George Hook put in a stamina sapping shift and still had enough steam left to snap the final tie with the wisdom and incisiveness of a Pattwell!
It was quite a success, prizes galore, and some €25,000 was raised on the night to be distributed by St Vincent de Paul. Take a bow – all two hundred tables – and especially organisers H&A Marketing who put the impressive show on the road in less than ten days.

Check out my review of Moran Silversprings Hotel - I am cork - on Qype

Gubbeen Cheese in Cork

GUBBEEN CHEESE
Gubbeen farmhouse cheese is one of the best known in Ireland and marketed internationally by the small family company from West Cork. Picked some up recently at the Farmers Market in Mahon Point and it is really really good, up there with the best of them.
They also do a smoked version and, more recently, have produced other smoked items such as rashers, sausages and salami. Will be calling again!

Check out my review of Gubbeen Cheese - I am cork - on Qype - includes contact details and map

GEORGE HOOK WANTS YOU

Spread the word about about the Raising Cork quiz and help people affected by the recent floods - www.raisingcork.com


Day: Monday 7th
Time: 7.00pm Registration ; 8.00pm start
Prizes: a shedload, including jersey and ball signed by Pele
Quizmaster: George Hook

Enter your team at above link.

Fenns Quay in Cork

FENNS QUAY
Enjoyed an excellent “Early Dinner” at Fenns Quay Friday night. They live up to their “simple philosophy”: use only the best produce from the best local suppliers and treat it with care and attention to detail.
The attention starts the moment you walk in as the service is friendly, professional and discreet. The early dinner offer is a 3 course meal for €27.50.
Started with a tasty tomato and brie pot. Mains was venison in a terrific sauce with vegetables, almost like a stew, and we finished off with a melt in the mouth lemon pot with caramelised pears, accompanied by a blackberry sorbet.
Fenns Quay has a good wine list, quite a few by the glass, and we really enjoyed the Spanish Bodegas Castano Monastrell 2007. Aside from the Early Dinner menu, you can also go a la carte and both menus are supplemented by regular specials, all very tempting! For the season thats in it, there is also a Christmas menu.

Check out my review of No.5 Fenn's Quay - I am cork - on Qype