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