Follains of Coolea

FOLLAINS

The tasty products of Follain, the food company from the Gaeltacht area of Coolea, are very widely available and indeed you will find them in all the major supermarkets.
I have come across their relishes and jams in various Christmas hampers and so on but didn't realise they had gone mainstream until I got some of their marmalade in Dunnes Stores recently. Happy to say, the marmalade is excellent, as good as ever.
And the good news doesn't stop there. All their products are gluten free, fat free and 100% suitable for vegetarians. The company, founded in 1983, still live by that "home-made" way that got them off the ground in the first place: 100 per cent natural and zero per cent artificial flavours and colourings.
Check it all out at their new website: http://www.follain.ie

Check out my review of Follains - I am cork - on Qype

The Wholy Grain in Cork

THE WHOLY GRAIN

Downtown this morning and needed a pick-me-up so dropped into the Wholy Grain on Washington Street, close to Singer’s Corner.
First time there and was quite happy with the experience which started with a friendly welcome. Must admit..well not admit..very happy to say that this kind of welcome is the standard in the city and not just in the hospitality section.
Smiles all round therefore as we ordered out Americanos and scones, both on the large side. The well made scone came with butter and jam and proved very enjoyable with the good quality coffee.
The cafe is known for its home made healthy breads. It is right next door to Cafe Gusto so you have two fine cafes within yards of one another. Spoilt for choice.

Check out my review of The Wholy Grain - I am cork - on Qype

ON THE PIG'S BACK

ON THE PIG’S BACK

Finished off the Good Food Week Cork with a DIY pack. It wasn't widely advertised but On the Pig’s Back in the English Market were joining in the food fun with a €15.00 package of goodies, a nicely presented wrapped basket that included cheeses, salami and organic seeded bread.

Picked one up on Friday and am working my way through it, especially the bread and Milleens. Contents: Gubbeen Smokehouse Salami, Ardrahan Farmhouse Cheese, a dote of Milleens Farmhouse Cheese, and, from Dunmanway, a pack of organic wholegrain Emmental Cheese and Pumpkin Seed bread.

Karwig Wines in Cork

KARWIG WINES

Karwig Wines Ltd do business in a peaceful rural setting near the satellite town of Carrigaline. Amazingly, they have some 800 wines on offer. Founder Joe Karwig says he tends to the Old World Wines himself: France, especially Italy, and Germany of course. “But I’m quite happy to drink some of the New World wines, such as the Pinot Noirs from New Zealand.”

We asked Joe if there is any new producer country on the horizon. “Well the Eastern European countries are old producers but suffered under Communist rules. That was bad for them. But new companies from the west are investing there, quite a lot of money is going in and a resurgence is expected.”

Joe himself had been working in the UK with a Germany exporting company in the UK and came over to Ireland in the mid seventies, doing his bit for the same company. At the end of 1978, he started out on his own working out of a Cork bonded warehouse on the City Docks where he was handicapped by restricted opening times, especially at weekends.

So he, and his wife Betty, took the gamble. It might not have been the best of times for a new business but Joe stuck with it and now his stock is spread over three warehouses, one in the city and another in North Cork plus the Carrigaline base, catering for restaurants, hotels, pubs, corporate companies and private customers. He has succeeded beyond his wildest dreams.

Joe is a Riesling fanatic: “It is the best white wine. I like the wines from the Nahe River where my favourite winemaker is Dönnhoff. Carl Ehrhard also makes excellent wines. We have a good selection here and indeed probably have the biggest selection of German wines in Ireland and we also have some from Austria which I also like.”

Karwig carry Rieslings from Germany, France, New Zealand and Australia. By the way, if you want to get to know German wines, here are three from Karwig that will provide you with an important first step: Burgerspital Wurzburg 2008 Silvaner Trocken (Franken region); Carl Ehrhard Rudesheimer, Berg Rottland, Riesling, Spätlese Trocken 2008 (Rheingau); Erbeldinger WeiSer Burgunder Spätlese, Trocken, Bechtheimer Hasensprung 2007 (Rheinhessen).

We asked Joe and marketing manager Maurice O’Mahony if rivals were emerging to Champagne’s position as the queen of sparkling wine. “People are that bit more price conscious at present but there are also fashions. Nowadays, quite a lot of Prosecco is sold – you couldn’t sell it ten years ago. It isn’t just about price. Some people do prefer to drink Prosecco as it has less acidity than champagne and has a richer taste.”
Maurice, who keeps Karwig in focus on his blog,on Twitter and via Facebook, told me that they will deliver anywhere in Ireland. “We do the local deliveries ourselves but use a courier for the rest of the country. We will deliver in the bigger cities in 24 hours but it could take twice that in the more rural places.”

Full details of the impressive Karwig operation are available on their website http://www.karwigwines.ie/ where you may also sign up to the blog and follow Maurice on Twitter and through their Facebook Fan Page.

Best of all, if you are in the area, call in and sample the relaxed friendly approach of this company. Don't be shy if you know nothing about wine. They’ll help you out and won't blind you with the science.

Maurice: “Every day, we open several bottles for customers to try out. We do our best to have a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere in our shop. We cater for the serious wine connoisseur, the casual wine drinker and everyone in between. We love talking about wine and we pride ourselves on our casual sales approach. We want your visit to be relaxed and enjoyable. And you get to go home with some lovely wine too! “

For more, here is the link to the related article that John Wilson of the Irish Times did on Wurzberg
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/magazine/2010/0130/1224263156797.html

Photos (from the top): Champagne corner, Maurice O'Mahony (left) and Joe Karwig, The Tasting Room and (bottom) soem of the 800 (old and new world) wines.

Check out my review of Karwig Wines - I am cork - on Qype

Bramley Lodge in Carrigtwohill

BRAMLEY LODGE

Bramley Lodge, a cafe cum country food store, opened about a year ago and has been attracting costumers galore since.
It is well situated, just off the main Cork-Waterford Road (N25) on the way in to Cobh, on your left just before you cross the first bridge (to Fota).
Location no doubt has something to do with it but it is also has a top class product. Called in there (about 12.30) yesterday for lunch and it was already filling up; indeed, the car park was full but there is more room on the road.
I choose the Fish Cakes, two big ones, enhanced with lime and sweet chilli. They were served with a decent salad and sweet chilli sauce. No shortage of fish in the cakes (salmon and cod). All in all, it was gorgeous and most of the other dishes on the menu also looked good and tempting.

So tempting in fact that, on teh way out,  I bought one of them from the fridge: dinner enough for two plus a bottle of wine for less than €15.00. Prices at the restaurant itself, which opens at 7.00 for breakfast, are also quite reasonable (the fish cakes came to under €12.00). Service is good, friendly and efficient, and there are two bright rooms, one a conservatory which looks out over the bridge and part of the estuary.

All in all, there is an emphasis on good quality local food and that is also seen in the shop where I also bought some goats cheese and Bramley’s own marmalade.

Bramley Lodge is proving extremely popular with visitors to the attractions on Fota (Wildlife Park, Fota House, Hotel and golf) and to Cobh (where you may enjoy the Heritage Centre, more golf, quayside walks, art galleries, Farmers Market on Friday, visiting liners and much more).

Check out my review of Bramley Lodge - I am cork - on Qype

O'FLYNN'S GOURMET SAUSAGES

O’FLYNN’S GOURMET SAUSAGES


Sometimes we take things for granted, even the good things. You’re down town and there is a festival of some sort going on. You pick up a sausage on a stick and absentmindedly enjoy it as you watch a street act and later you think “Hey, that sausage was nice!”

And if that is what you think, then the chances are that sausage came from O’Flynn’s Gourmet range. Thankfully, you don't have to wait for a festival to enjoy one of their sausages. At their permanent stand in the English market, they have a range of some 30 varieties to choose from, quite a few prize-winners among them.

And they are reasonably priced. I picked up six for a fiver yesterday including Spicy Mediterranean, Garlic and Herb and Leek. Very very tasty and they can be used in so many ways – traditional Irish ways and European style, say in couscous or paella.

You don't even have to be in Cork to enjoy them. You can order online and they'll deliver anywhere in Ireland! Check it out at http://www.oflynnsofcork.ie/

REAL EASTER EGGS!!

PANDORA BELL RINGS THE CHANGES


Limerick’s Bridgestone Irish Food Guide entry Pandora Bell has a new twist for the good old Easter Egg as Nicole Dunphy goes back to basics, taking a real shell and filling it with Praline Chocolate. All you have to do is crack the shell, peel and enjoy!

And enjoy you will if past performance is anything to go by. The company hit speed from its launch in the second half of last year. They first came to my attention with their irresistible range of Honey Nougat and they also do Salted Butter Caramels and Handmade Lollipops.

Nicole puts their success down to the fact they use only the best ingredients and timeless traditional recipes. They certainly have turned the clock back with this one, right back to the real good old days!

See earlier reviews on this site

Pandora Bell products are stocked by independent retailers nationwide and are also available from www.pandorabell.ie

THE FARMGATE CAFE

THE FARMGATE CAFE


Back at the English Market today to sample the €15.00 plate and wine from the Farmgate Cafe as part of the Good Food week.

Spotted the Venison as one of the choices. Had tasted that at the official opening on Monday but quite a few had tasted it earlier today (I didn't make it until 2.00pm) and it was no longer available.

But the “disappointment” was short-lived. Ordered the alternative, the Ardsallagh Goats Cheese Salad and a decent glass of Sauvignon. The mild cheese, as many of you already know, is a splendid product (from Carrigtwohill) and came spread generously on three baguette slices.

The three white islands topped a most delicious salad. Baked tomatoes, toasted walnuts, beetroot pieces all mixed in with lively (as distinct from limp) leaves, with an edgy dressing that enhanced the whole plate.

Venison. What venison? (Maybe I’ll try again tomorrow!)

The Apple Farm in Cahir

CAHIR'S APPLE FARM
No shortage of wine as the Good Food Week opened in the English Market but it was a humbler liquid that provided me with one of the most memorable tastes of the event. And that was a glass of sparkling apple juice made by the Apple Farm in Cahir, Co. Tipperary. I have tasted some lovely apple products, mainly in Austria and Switzerland, but this is the champagne of the type and well worth seeking out.
The Apple Farm, warmly praised in the 2010 Bridgestone Irish Food Guide, has been in business for over a decade but the sparkler is a recent addition. Welcome it with open mouths!
The Farm is NO 127 on our photo while you’ll find Whelan Butchers (also Good Food Ireland member) at 124.

Get your Apple Farm products at:

Good Things Café, Durrus, West Cork

Well & Good Healthfood shop, Broderick St., Midleton, East Cork

Waterfall Farms, Waterfall, Cork

O'Keeffe's Shop, 3 Wellington Road, St. Lukes Cross, Cork City

Ballymaloe House, Shanagarry, Co. Cork

Nash 19 Restaurant, 19 Princes St., Cork

Check out my review of The Apple Farm - I am cork - on Qype

GOOD FOOD WEEK CORK OPENING

GOOD FOOD IRELAND CORK WEEK


The English Market was the appropriate venue as the Good Food Ireland Cork Week was launched by the organisation’s MD and founder Margaret Jeffares last evening.

Over 250 guests turned up and the venue was packed, no one turning down the invite to sample the delights of the south.

Wine and other drinks, along with tempting bites, were available downstairs by the fountain but the main action was upstairs along the U shaped floor of the Farm Gate Cafe which had been divided into a number of stands.

There was so much to taste - no wonder the queue moved slowly. But, with so many good things on offer, the humour was excellent.

Started off on a high standard with Fishy Fishy from Kinsale and then, a blast from the past, a bite of pig’s cheek from Ballymaloe. Took the opportunity to have a quick word with Denis O’Mullane of Liberty Grill where the Lord Mayor Darragh Murphy and his wife Tanya also lingered.

Mairead O’Brien, who had earlier introduced me to her boss Claire Nash of Nash 19, was at their stand as was their talented head chef Pamela. At that stage, my plate was getting packed but I still couldn't resist picking up a few other bits before moving downstairs to eat.

Great to meet so many people involved in putting good things on our plates in their restaurants and via their shops and stalls. O’Keeffe’s of St Luke’s is a brilliant food shop and they were represented by Anne and Donal.

And then there were producers with whom I hadn’t yet crossed paths. Frank Shinnick of the Fermoy Natural Cheese Company is one such and then there was a smiling twosome from the Apple Farm in Cahir whose sparkling apple juice was one of the highlights of the evening. We’ll be following those two producers in the future along with many more on the comprehensive list proved by Good Food Ireland.

Well, that was Monday night and now we have the rest of the week to sample the €15.00 plateful and included glass of wine in the participating establishments! More info at http://www.goodfoodireland.ie

GOOD FOOD WEEK IN NASH 19

Mairead O'Brien of Nash 19 has been in touch with their Good Food Ireland schedule for next week. 


Their theme is meet the Producer and here's who'll be in the shop 


Mon: Geraldine from Old Mill Bank SmokeHouse, Buttevant


Tue : Nora from Inch House, Thurles and Benoit from Lorge Chocolate, Kenmare


Wed: Pamela our Head Chef in Nash 19


Thur: TJ from Crowes Farm, Dundrum and Brigitta from The Burren Smoke House, Lisdoonvarna 


Fri: Steven from Classic Drinks and Mella from Mellas Fudge, Clonakilty

THE CONTINENTAL

CONTINENTAL


The Continental is not a tapas bar but just last night I got a plateful of the best tapas ever in the Maylor Street restaurant – see the photo.

Along with various sauces and relishes, you have skewered prawns (left), crispy bacon and duck, Serrano, a mushroom tart, a lentil burger, a tortilla (Spanish omelette) and, finally on the right, ham with whole plums.

This was our starter (€16.95), a shared platter. It, the plate not necessarily the photo, fully illustrates what this fine establishment is capable of as the Tapas are samples of main dishes available here. We just loved it and could have had such a platter each as a main course.

The main course too was delightful. We both went for the lemon sole (€21.90) served with caramelised carrots, the most gorgeous leeks and a well made mashed potato. The Continental supports local food producers and one could see and taste the freshness here. “Those fish were caught and bought this morning,” said Agnes Stawosz , our ever friendly hostess.

Our wine came from Argentina, a Michel Torino Sauvignon Blanc. Crisp and dry, pale pale yellow, almost green, hints of grapefruit in the nose and also in the mouth, it comes from one of the highest vineyards in the world and it cost €23.95. Finished off with a couple of good coffees at €2.20 each.

On previous enjoyable visits to this restaurant, we noticed that there were very few customers here. But there were encouraging signs last evening that the word is getting out as the place was about half full as we left. Hope this trend continues as there is very good food here at excellent prices.

True we went for broke on the a la carte but you can have a two course dinner for just 19.90 and a three course for 24.95. Value also at lunch, when the place, like the street itself, tends to be busier; you can have soup, open sandwich with rustic potatoes and tea or coffee for just €9.95. Next time I ring to make a booking, I’d be delighted to be told that the place is full. We need restaurants such as this: good food, good cooking and good people.

Agnes trained in Ballymaloe and her restaurant is currently rated number three out of 142 reviewed for Trip Advisor. So the word is getting out! Phone number: 021 4253900. Open for breakfast and lunch Tuesday to Saturday and for dinner Wed to Sat (from 6.00pm).

Nash 19 Food Shop in Cork

NASH 19 FOOD SHOP
The early opening Nash 19 restaurant is closed by the late afternoon (5.00) but that doesn’t mean you can't enjoy the products of this amazing establishment afterhours. Go to their Food Shop (open 'til 6.00pm) and stock up on a readymade meal or two.

I will certainly be doing that after my recent experience. Called in to take a browse and got great help from a smiling on the ball assistant who gave me a run down on the huge range of goodies in jars and tubs (a terrific tasting plum jam, up for sampling that morning, and pickled cucumbers among them ), also the homemade cakes and breads and the food for the freezer that I was interested in.

Must admit though that my purchases, two cartons of Chicken Korma (5.50 each), never made it to the freezer. The temptation was too much and we used them the following night! It was absolutely top class. As I said, I’ll be back and heartily recommend the shop to anyone who wishes to dine at home and treat themselves.

Each carton contained sufficient for one person. There was ample chicken and the other ingredients in this moderately spiced dish were Onion, Coconut Milk, Sugar, Yoghurt, Butter, Ginger, Tomatoes, Garlic, Green Saffron Korma Spices.
Just lovely. Now for the Boeuf Bourguignon! And then.....

Check out my review of Nash 19 Food Shop - I am cork - on Qype