Augustine's in Cork

AUGUSTINE’S at the CLARION


Tempted by the reviews on the six course tasting menu at Augustine’s, now located in the Clarion Hotel (right of photo), we headed for Lapp’s Quay last evening.

In quantity, the six courses would probably equal that of your normal three course meal. But as regards quality, this was something else and worth the 25 euro even if the free glass of wine is no longer available.
Started off with the little glass of Spicy Tomato Consommé. This cold opener was served with some handmade breads, a delicious crispy brown along with a novel and very tasty tomato and fennel.

Next up was the fish course: a fillet of pan seared Sea Bass served with a Vegetable Escabeche. Cooked to
perfection, full of taste, generally gorgeous.

Then came a bowl with something white in the base. The waiter spotted the puzzlement and quickly said ‘just a second’ before filling the cavity with a Wild Mushroom and Truffle Soup. The something white, by the way, was Parmesan Crisp. Delightful.

Now for the Assiette (plate of pork). Well, it was actually a slate (like they use in Les Gourmandises) and on it were scattered rillette of pork and crackling, Confit pork, an apple membreo and parsnip purée. A smashing combination and more substantial that you’d think at first glance.

Then came the cheese course. Just one piece of cheese with a cooked plum. But that cheese was Bleu de Bresse, a pungent cows milk cheese from the same area where the famous AOC Poulet de Bresse comes from. Again, the cheese and the plum were brilliant together providing a few very tasty mouthfuls indeed. The only snag here is that not everyone would eat that type of cheese because of its patches of blue mould.

The finale was a selection of desserts. We had a beautiful Fruit Jelly and a lively Crème Brûlée. The only bum note of the evening was the Bread and Butter Pudding, mainly because of the introduction of chocolate which didn't work for us.

Wine was a sharp refreshing zesty Julio Buchon Sauvignon Blanc (Chile 2009), cost €25.00 per bottle. All in all, it was quite a meal, a very enjoyable experience, in no small measure due to the excellent service. Highly recommended.

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

twebt4 What???

Sunday April 25^th – 9.00pm is the date and the time for twebt4 to cork off. The Twitter wine event, a blind tasting, was started by a bunch of Cork enthusiasts but has spread throughout the land and O’Brien’s are the official supplier for the fun event on Sunday week.

You may buy the mystery bottle from their site  or in their shops in Beacon South Quarter, Donnybrook, Limerick and Galway or you can even contact them and buy it in one of their other shops! If you can't make the shops, the bottle will, as usual, be available to order and the delivery charge is just €4.00.

If you’re not familiar with twebt, you can read lots more about it on Brian Clayton's blog Brian was one of the original twebters: “We’ve been listening to your feedback, so this time it’ll be a white wine. I hope you can join us! We’re planning something special for this twebt, but it’s still a secret. Watch this space.” 

Tags: twebt, wine tasting

Fermoy Natural Cheese Company

FERMOY CHEESE
Met Frank from the Fermoy Natural Cheese Company at the Cork Good Food Week and meant to get around to their products before now. The small company is found in Strawhall, Fermoy and makes Raw Cows Milk Specialty Cheese. Frank and Gudrun Shinnick are members of Good Food Ireland and CAIS (Irish Farmhouse Cheesemakers Association).

They make five different cheeses: Cais Dubh, Cais Rua, Saint Brigid, Saint Gall and Hibernian. Hibernian is not easy to find but the others can be bought at the farmers markets (at Mark Hosford's stalls) and at the Pig’s Back in the English Market. Nash 19 also use them in their restaurant.

And indeed it was Mairéad from Nash 19 that directed me over to the Pig’s Back where I bought a wedge of St Gall. This is a hard Swiss type cheese and was certainly a hit in our house and I immediately added it to my short list of favourites.

St Brigid didn't go down as well – let’s say we had a disagreement. It is a semi-hard smeared ripened cheese and, though described as mild, is somewhat more pungent than St Gall. I certainly didn't find it overpowering, or anywhere near it, and would love to have it on my plate at anytime. Still, if forced to make a choice I would go for the five and a half star St Gall.

The Gudruns are an award winning couple as they picked up a Gold Medal double in the 2008 World Cheese Awards. The cheese is made from the milk of their pedigree Friesians who graze in the fertile valley of the Blackwater.
Now for the Cais Dubh and the Cais Rua!

Check out my review of Fermoy Natural Cheese Company - I am cork - on Qype

THE GOOD FOOD SHOP

THE GOOD FOOD SHOP

The Good Food Shop is a regular call when I’m in the English Market. The stock and variety here is huge, everything from organic chocolate to smoked duck.

Today I was on the lookout for coffee and found a selection, both of type and sizes. In the end, I settled for  an organic Italian Roast and Ground with a promise of “dark, rich and gorgeous”. Cost of 227 gms of this Fairtrade (Equal Exchange) product was €4.94.

I’ve always found the staff here helpful and courteous and indeed knowledgeable, as one often has to request the location of a product in the narrow aisles of the shop. Today I found the coffee myself and the till service was friendly.

Funnily enough, I’ve never been able to find the Good Food Shop on the list of stalls on the market website at  http://www.corkenglishmarket.ie/   Checked again today, no change. Mystery!

The Bulman in Kinsale

THE BULMAN
Visited the Bulman in Kinsale (Summercove, near Charlesfort) for lunch yesterday (photo) and left a happy customer.

The harbourside bar, you park by the water, looked well in the sunshine yesterday. Still, just in case, a fire provided heat indoors where, unusually for Ireland, a large dog slept under a table as his minders dined.

The relatively new owners have give the place a revamp but the maritime theme is retained and now the restaurant upstairs is called Toddies and from there you have a fine view out over the harbour. The view downstairs is more restricted.

We ate downstairs in the bar and I went for the specials. Started with the Fennell Soup (€4.80). Accompanied by some nice bread, it was warm and well seasoned and very tasty indeed.

Then came a gorgeous little plateful: ham and smoked Gubbeen on ciabatta. Everything here was just perfect. The ham was the real deal and it and the tomatoes went very well with the delicious West Cork cheese and the whole thing was done to perfection. Cost €8.50.

Service was friendly and efficient. All in all, it was a lovely stop. If they can do the small things this well, then I’d have no qualms about driving down to Toddies for dinner some summer evening.
http://www.thebulman.com/
Telephone: +353 (0)21 4772131

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

O'Crualaoi Butchers in Ballincollig

O’CRUALAOI BUTCHERS

O’Crualaoi Butchers have been trading since 1957 and new shops in Fermoy, Carrigaline and Wilton have seen a rapid expansion in recent times.

Ballincollig is their first shop and I called to see their set-up recently. Here there are two sections, an inviting delicatessen and a very impressive and well laid out butcher shop.

Wasn’t on a meat buying mission on this occasion but did pick up a few things from the deli, including one of their fresh soups (mushroom). It was an excellent soup, very tasty indeed.

Much of that taste though came from the cream and butter in the mix. If you want something healthier you could try the recipe below which comes from an old Irish Heart Foundation leaflet.

Mushroom soup (for 5/6 persons)

2 oz Flora Margarine;

2 oz plain flour;

1 pint of chicken stock (fat free);

1 pint of skimmed milk;

½ lb mushrooms, finely chopped.

Chopped parsley, to garnish; salt & pepper and juice of half a lemon.

Method: Place all ingredients, except lemon juice into a large saucepan; whisking continuously over moderate heat, bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Just before serving add lemon juice and stir well. Serve sprinkled with chopped parsley.

Cook’s Notes:

1-    My preference is to use low fat rather than skimmed milk.

2-    Omit the lemon juice (too strong in the taste, not for everyone)

3-    When cooked, liquidise.

4-    You could add a swirl of Crème fraiche with the parsley.

For current recipes from the Irish Heart Foundation go to: http://www.irishheart.ie

Photo: Ballincollig's Olive Tree
Check out my review of O'Crualaoi Butchers - I am cork - on Qype

Glenilen Farm in Drimoleague

GLENILEN FARM

There are yoghurts and then there are yoghurts from Glenilen Farm. Wow!

I have to admit that I have just discovered these little jars of gorgeousness. All other yoghurts fall away by comparison. If you haven't had the pleasure get on to their site http://blog.glenilen.com/ and check for your local stockists.

I found mine in O’Crualaoi’s delicatessen section in the Supervalu building on Main Street Ballincollig and it wasn't long before I was trying out the strawberry flavoured one and declaring it the best ever.

But don't just take my word for it. The success story of Glenilen Farm (in Drimoleague in West Cork) started with a small step in 1997. And the success has been marked with prizes, both national and international. The range now includes cheesecakes, yoghurts (small and large), various creams, butter and mousses.
A lot of exploring to do here. But it will be no hardship!

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

IN THE NET TODAY

IN THE NET TODAY

Do you want to grow your own but don't know how to get started? Come to this workshop and learn how to sow, grow and harvest your own fruit and veg with minimal input. With both theory and practical aspects catered for you'll have the growing bug in no time! This workshop is being presented by Sinead from Dromcollogher Organic College. The workshop will include a practical element so please wear suitable clothing. €30 which includes course material, refreshments and a light lunch (please specify if you have any dietary requirements)

Growing Your Own Vegetables Organically

When:Saturday 11th April 2010 10-2.00pm

Where:The Secret Garden (centre)

Aghaneenagh, Newmarket, Co. Cork, Ireland

http://schmap.it/c1qz79

Today Nash 19 are getting a delivery of local, organic Rhubarb from Waterfall farms, and some free range eggs from Kinsale.

Kevin At Fenns Quay was talking to an American customer about beef stroganoff. “Interestingly it's usually served with noodles in the states, not rice.”  Best stroganoff I’ve ever had was on the shores of Lake Wolfgang in Austria, alongside the famous White Horse Inn. It was the main course in my Sunday lunch and, in 2004, cost me six euro and, yes, it was served with rice.

Curious Wines in Bandon’s April Contest is still on - become a fan of their Facebook page and you're in to win http://tinyurl.com/yl7b7mz

Donal Skehan may be on the piste but still found time for you. He has posted an Irish Seafood Chowder recipe up on the blog! http://ow.ly/1vUaA

Ballincollig Farmers Market

BALLINCOLLIG FARMERS MARKET

Called to the Ballincollig Farmers Market this Wednesday morning. It is nicely located in the lanes of the new shopping centre but is fairly limited, not very many stalls, at least on this occasion.

Had a lively conversation with Joy O’Driscoll of Joy’s Jams, mainly about her marmalades, and ending up buying a jar of her gooseberry (€3.50) and a jar of her dark Seville Marmalade (€3.80).

Next call was to the Tom’s Bread. We’ve been coming across them lately (previously in the Coal Quay and also, via ABC, in the English Market). This time bought a lovely baked wheat bread (€3.90) with a scattering of hazelnuts surprising the taste buds every now and then. Very enjoyable.

Kept circulating and helped ourselves to some decent looking carrots from the farmer’s stall, avoided the highly visual temptation of Katie’s Cup Cakes and some hot food stalls, including a creperie, before buying a couple of herb plants at €2.00 each from the helpful man at Swanton’s Stand, a stand seen regularly in their home base of Skibbereen where the market, much bigger than Ballincollig’s, take place every Saturday morning.

Check out my review of Ballincollig Farmers Market - I am cork - on Qype

FENN'S QUAY

FENN’S QUAY

Fenn’s Quay is well known for the quality of its food but today I start by praising its wine. Kevin Crowley knows his and puts in a big effort to provide his customers with quality and value when it comes to having a drink with a meal.

Last evening, we choose a Chilean Viu Manent Malbec to go with our Ossa Bucco (braised beef in this case). Delighted with it and, in the low 20s, it was good value as were the recent reds there, which included Cave de Tain Syrah VDP 2006 (from the Rhone Valley and now the house red) and previously the Spanish Bodegas Castano Monastrell 2007 Yecla and that is just to name a few off the lower end of a very impressive list indeed.

We started off last evening with a tomato and roast pepper soup. The Braised Beef shin was accompanied by a tomato and red wine sauce. It smelled good as it came to the table and was just gorgeous, falling away from the bone and just like your granny (your Irish granny) used to make it.

Desserts were excellent, both specials. I had an almond tart under a juicy mound of strawberries and the other dessert was a well done Bread and Butter Pudding.

I mentioned specials there. The website does show the regular meals but the choice here is much bigger, with specials added every evening to both the Supper (27.50 for 3 courses) and the a al carte Menus.

Once again, another enjoyable evening at Fenn’s Quay. Atmosphere is always nice and relaxed and the service friendly and efficient.

SPRING CHOICE

FEBRUARY/MARCH FAVOURITES 

All visited in last two months

Highly Recommended: Aherne’s (Youghal), Fenn’s Quay, Liberty Grill, Nash 19, Over the Moon (Skibbereen) and The Continental.

Recommended: Boardwalk Bar & Grill, Bramley Lodge, Crawford Gallery Cafe, Farmgate (English Market), Gilbert’s (Cobh), Hardwood and La Jolie Brise (Baltimore).

Really Good Food Shops: Bramley Lodge, Nash 19, Le Gourmet (Youghal) and O’Keeffe’s (St Luke’s).

Best Food Producer: Just Food (Cobh).

Coffee/Tea and Scones: Cafe Gusto, Greene’s, Hawthorn on the Lough, Nash 19 and Wholy Grain.

Top Farmers Market: Skibbereen (Saturdays)

Top Cheeses: Kilmichael Soft Cheese from the Sunview Goats; St Gall (Fermoy); Milleens.

Top Marmalades: 1 - Bramley Lodge 2 - Follains

Hudson's Wholefood in Ballydehob

HUDSON’S WHOLEFOOD
It was very quiet in Ballydehob on Saturday afternoon. “Most of them are away enjoying the sunshine,” said one of the locals.

We were beginning to doubt we’d get as much as a cup of coffee when we spotted the Bridgestone be-decked front wall of Hudson’s Wholefoods.

Between meals at the time, we didn't really study the foods in the shop but could see that there was quite a range. Went to the little cafe at the back where we got our two fine black coffees from the smiling waitress.

Looks likes something of a community information centre as well with loads of leaflets and cards on alternative services in the area.

Enjoyed a bit of down to earth banter (about coffee fashions) as we paid up and headed off into the sun, resisting (barely) the temptation to sit down again after we’d spotted – too late – the sign for organic wine at a fiver a glass!

Check out my review of Hudson's Wholefood - I am cork - on Qype

West Cork Hotel in Skibbereen

WEST CORK HOTEL

The West Cork Hotel in Skibbereen has a lot going for it: it is central (with its own car park), it is comfortable, gives good deals, has riverside views (where an otter, see photo, performed this weekend), an unusual extension to its very comfortable cosy bar out onto a disused railway bridge (photo), and a friendly staff.

Good deals on food also. On certain nights, you can get a pint or a glass of wine plus fish and chips for a tenner. Not bad. We have a dinner included in our deal, three courses. Starters and mains are fine but desserts, though strong on quantity, are low on quality.

We got a good bottle of wine, a Milton Park Riesling. Great refreshing lemon and line taste for just €21.50. Called to the bar earlier for a pint and a glass of beer. Cost €6.65. Cost in my local in the city is €6.30.

Breakfast was excellent, good choice and no shortage of quality, service friendly and prompt. We enjoyed our Eggs Benedict and Bacon Butty and also the Traditional Irish (especially the Rosscarbery sausages).

Reception was efficient and friendly all through. The room, pictured, was very well heated, had all you needed and was clean and comfortable with a view out over the river, see photo. The bathroom was spotless and had everything you’d expect, except for drinking glasses.

All in all, a fine base for visiting this part of West Cork.

For more pics from this trip see http://www.flickr.com/photos/corkbilly/sets/72157623726829032/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/corkbilly/sets/72157623726758010/

Check out my review of West Cork Hotel - I am cork - on Qype