Amuse Bouche. Its legs alone were still writhing...

She placed the heavy looking plate on the table.

“You can use the soy sauce on the table there.”

The whole plate was heaped high with colourful seaweed, on top of which was an entire squid. Its body was translucent, clear through to the seaweed below. Its silvery metallic-looking eyes were unfocussed and stared into space. Its legs alone were still writhing, as if they could escape the plate.

“The legs and whatever else you leave we’ll make into tempura or deep-fry for you,” the waitress explained.

From Villain by Shuichi Yoshida.

Clash Of The Ciders

Clash Of The Ciders

Longueville House cider, medium dry, 5%ABV, 50cl, €3.99 at Bradley’s, North Main Street, Cork.

Stonewell cider, medium dry, 5.5% ABV, 50cl, €3.99 at Bradley’s, North Main Street, Cork.

The Longueville House comes in a distinctive squat bottle and its lovely black and gold label is less eye-catching than that on the Stonewell. It has a nice fruity aroma and a rich amber colour in which you see streams of little bubbles constantly rising.

Very pleasant on the palate where the fruit is well balanced, the kind of balance you’d expect to find in a well made West Country cider, a property previously remarked on by the Apple Farm’s Con Traas in a recent newsletter.

The Stonewell’s Celtic design really stands out on the shelf and there is also a huge visual contrast in the glass. The Stonewell colour is so much lighter, more like honey, and again the rising bubbles are obvious.

Its aroma is lighter, more apple-ly, very pleasant indeed. And it is lighter also on the palate, but nowhere near as dry as the LH. And that factor could well make it a favourite with the ladies, well at least with the lady of this house. It is marginally higher in alcohol and that did not go down as well with the lady.

As far as this amateur referee is concerned, my Clash of the Ciders will have to go to a replay (at least one) after this high scoring draw. Final score: 5 stars each. No need to seek a winner here but rather let us celebrate that, in less than 12 months, we have two outstanding craft ciders being made in the county.

If you do want to set up your own tasting match, just call into Bradley’s and get a few of each and see which one suits you. If you want to know more about cider, click on the link below where you’ll find info such as:

“The flavour of cider varies. Ciders can be classified from dry to sweet. Their appearance ranges from cloudy with sediment to completely clear, and their colour ranges from light yellow through orange to brown. The variations in clarity and colour are mostly due to filtering between pressing and fermentation. Some apple varieties will produce a clear cider without any filtration. Both sparkling and still ciders are made; the sparkling variety is the more common.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cider#Appearance_and_types_of_cider

Little Beauty and the ladies of L'Atitude

Little Beauty's Fleur McCree hits Leeside next week!

Maurice O'Mahony, the man behind Wine Alliance, has been in touch about an exciting event at the new Wine Cafe on Union Quay, L'Atitude 51. We'll let Maurice take over and tell you all about it.
No better boy!

Its an honour for Wine Alliance to be part of L’Atitude 51′s first event in their “Meet the Winemaker” series

Fleur McCree, owner of Little Beauty of Marlborough, New Zealand will present a flight of five of her limited edition wines in a guided tasting in the newly opened L’Atitude 51 Wine Workshop (on the first floor) of . . . .

L’Atitude 51.

1 Union Quay,

Cork City 

021 2390219

Thursday February 9th From 7.00pm – 9.00pm

Entrance Fee is just €12 and places are very limited.

The line up includes a tasting of  . . . . .

• Little Beauty Sauvignon Blanc
• Little Beauty Riesling
• Little Beauty Pinot Gris
• Little Beauty Gewurztraminer
• Little Beauty Pinot Noir

Canapés & Snacks will also be served on the evening

Fleur will walk us through the New Zealand wine landscape and will then focus on her beloved Marlborough and her privately owned vineyard. If you want to read up on Little Beauty, check out their website here

L’Atitude 51 is the perfect location for a tasting. Centrally located in in the heart of Cork’s city centre, the owners Beverley Mathews and Emmanuelle Legrand offer a beautiful selection of wines (including a big selection by the glass), craft beers and gourmet coffee and tea. They also offer a delicious selection of homecooked food in a lovely relaxing setting on the banks of the lovely Lee across the road from Cork’s City Hall.

So why not come along and sample each of these beautiful limited edition wines for yourself

Thursday February 9th From 7.00pm – 9.00pm

To book a place, call L’Atitude 51 on 021 2390219

See Fleur YouTube video here 

URRU: small, but a big reason to visit Bandon

URRU

The aim in Bandon’s URRU  is to help you enjoy shopping for food and food related items. The formula is a successful one in this bright well laid out shop.

Called there last Saturday and enjoyed the visit, the browsing, the shopping, and the chat with Ruth and the coffee. Not to mention the gorgeous Patisserie Regale Dunmanway made giant Ginger Spice Cookie that accompanied the coffee.

 Shopping for food is easy here as some of the great local names are suppliers: Glenilen, Jack McCarthy, Ummera, Arbutus, Green Saffron, Macroom Mills and many more, including the cheesemakers. Oh, and not forgetting Mella and her irresistible fudge. Ended up with quite a bagful, as usual.

There was a sale on in the kitchenware “department”, 50 per cent off on many items, and we got one or two bits and pieces. URRU also have a collection, an impressive one, of cookery books and also a good wine corner.

 

You won’t go short here. Vegetables? That department is now well covered too at the URRU Greengrocer which is more or less next door to this lovely not so little shop on McSwiney Quay. We had a look in there too. Lots of local vegetables and also enticing imports such as figs and hazelnuts.

A small place but a big reason to visit Bandon, which is so close to the city. Don’t by-pass. Stop for a coffee and a browse (and do bring a bag!)

A GOOD FOOD VALENTINE'S

Vicky Jago has been in touch with a gift idea from Good Food Ireland, a Unique Gift this Valentine's!

"If you love good food, then look no further than a Good Food Ireland gift voucher which allows you the freedom to choose from over 300 Good Food Ireland approved providers located around the island of Ireland. They promise you an experience of the very best in Irish cuisine and hospitality. 

Whether you are looking for a romantic break, an intimate meal, a relaxing spa weekend or a dinner in a famous Irish eatery or just pure food indulgence this is the ideal gift for everyone who simply loves good food!

Good Food Ireland gift vouchers starting from €10 are available to purchase through the Good Food Ireland office Tel 053 9158693 or Online www.goodfoodireland.ie"   

Ummera Smoked Chicken

Smoked Chicken @ Urru Culinary Store, a photo by CorkBilly on Flickr.

One of my all time favourites, one of the brilliant products from @ummera in Timoleague

Dining Royally at The Castle Hotel

DINING AT THE CASTLE

Friday last, we dined at the B’s Restaurant in the Castle Hotel in Macroom. And dined quite royally, I might add. Food and service were terrific.

Service came in the shape of AJ, the maestro of the dining room. No shortage of advice or recommendations and, if something wasn’t on the menu, then he’d get it as he did with the fruit dessert at the end. Lots of friendly chat too, “like”.

As we munched the handmade breads, from a “secret” recipe according to AJ, I was delighted to see so many local producers mentioned on the menu, reliable sources such as Jack McCarthy, Cappoquinn, Ardsallagh, Gubbeen, Milleens, Michael Twomey and quite a few others.

I started off with the Jack McCarthy Black Pudding, which was perfect, as usual, really top drawer stuff. This time, it was served with a Spiced Apple Chutney, a great match.

Local input also to the other starter with the mozzarella coming from the milk of the buffalos on the farm of local man Johnny Lynch. The full title for this starter was: Mozzarella and Roasted Vegetable Bruschetta with fire roasted pepper relish and baby leaf salad. Another good one! Peppers and Aubergine were the roasted veg and the whole thing came together very well indeed.

Sorbet

AJ then humourously explained, just in case we thought the meal was coming to a premature end, that the next course would not be dessert but a sorbet. And quite a tasty and colourful one it turned out to be.

Now, the palate was ready for the mains and I went for an AJ recommendation: Baked Supreme of Cappoquinn Chicken filled with Ardsallagh Goats Cheese wrapped in Parma Ham and served with a Tomato and Basil Sauce. Must say I liked this one. The cheese played a key role in the overall taste without ever threatening to dominate while the sauce – I spooned out every bit – added extra flavour and moisture.

I like it too that the sauce was served in its own little container as was the case with the other main dish: Baked West Cork hake with sundried tomato salsa and served with a light Champagne sauce. The fish was juicy, the spinach underneath was lovely and creamy while the salsa added a bit of tartness. The main dishes were also accompanied by a side plate of perfectly cooked seasonal vegetables.

Now for the real dessert. Once again AJ played a part as one of us was looking for something light. And so he got the chef to produce, without any delay, a perfectly presented plate of gorgeous fruit, as you can see from the picture.

Cheese plate

I too had a gorgeous presentation, quite a line up of local cheese, including top names such as Milleens and Gubbeen, crackers and plum chutney and some slices of plum and mango. Lapped it all up while finishing off the wine which was another treat, the real face of Chardonnay from Burgundy.

For the record it was a Champy 2009 Macon-Lugny (€26.00). It was full-bodied luscious and creamy, not a trace of oak, the real taste of one of the world’s most popular grapes. Lovely wine, lovely meal. Thanks to AJ and all the crew at the Castle.

Year of the Dragon at Ying’s Palace

Main course

Comfort

The Beers

Ying’s Palace

Celebrated the coming of the Year of the Dragon, a little on the late side, with a very tasty meal indeed at Ying’s Palace in Mayfield last night. This is a really well appointed restaurant with a high degree of space and comfort and consistently good food. But, like many Chinese establishments, the take-away business outshines the sit-down!

Amazing really that Chinese cuisine, which is so well established in Ireland, has not really crossed over to our regular restaurants. We’ve got a huge French input, a substantial Italian and Spanish influence, quite a hefty contribution from the Maghreb (cous cous, tagine) but very little from the Chinese.

I was thinking that when our starter arrived. By the way, we had picked one of the set menus which included a glass of wine for a total of €22.80. They have other marginally cheaper set menus along with a four course multi-choice special offer for just €15.59, a great way to try out the place.

Getting back to last night, we started off with a plate of irresistible Prawn Crackers. Polished them off quickly and there was precious little resistance when we were offered a second plate by our very friendly hostess.

Then on to the substantial main starter: Crispy Aromatic Duck (served with strips of spring onions, cucumbers, carrots, pancakes and Hoisin Sauce). I really enjoyed this, a terrific combination and one that might catch on in mainstream restaurants! Finger wipes were supplied as standard service.

Next up was a big bowl of very warm soup: Crabmeat and sweet corn. Just what you’d need on a showery wintry evening, really excellent. By this stage, I had sipped my last drop of the free wine, a very acceptable Cabernet Sauvignon from Valle Andino (Chile). A glass would normally cost €4.90, a bottle €16.80. Good prices!

They had Chinese beer listed on the menu at €3.90 a bottle. Tsingtao is bottled in China and has the usual ingredients, except that rice is added. The rice seems to give it extra flavour and roundness and I must say I absolutely enjoyed it and wouldn’t mind getting my hands on a few. The other beer that we got was Tiger. This regular lager is brewed in Singapore and more widely available and very drinkable.

So now, we were ready for the double barrelled main course: Fillet beef with black pepper sauce and King Prawn Szechuan, both served sizzling! And accompanied by either chips or fried rice. We took one dish of each. Loved those prawns, each a soft explosion of taste redolent of the sea and complimented by the other flavours.

The beef – all their beef is Irish – was so tender I could have cut it with a spoon and so tasty. The black pepper sauce is what it says on the tin so you’d better be aware of that before you order. We enjoyed every piece.

Now we were full and had just begun to sip our coffee (included) when our hostess came to the table with a slice of homemade cheesecake, on the house!

We wished her well for the New Year, hoping the Dragon would be kind to her. “I hope he will be kind to all peoples,” she graciously replied. And so say all of us.

Thank You Mr Karwig

Thank You Mr Karwig

(and Mr Whelan)

Morambro Creek, Padthaway Australia, Shiraz 2008, 14.5%, €18.50, Karwig Wines

A big thank you to JoeKarwig  in Carrigaline who imports this excellent New World Shiraz, a terrific wine. And thanks also to that well known butcher, Pat Whelan of Clonmel, and now also of Monkstown (Dublin), as it was from Whelan’s on-line shop that I got the ever so tender lack of lamb that I matched with the Morambro Shiraz .

The dark red wine is smooth and lush from start to long finish. It has a pleasantly aromatic nose. The introduction to the palate is excellent. This is a very well made wine indeed with rounded fruit flavours and spice, all in balance, nothing overly restrained and nothing extreme. Easy to enjoy.

The know-how of five generations of the Bryson family has gone into this one and they are justly proud of their methods and of the wine itself. They also say that it is best with food and you won’t get a much better match than the one I enjoyed.

Hayfield Manor Wine Society February Dinner

HAYFIELD MANOR WINE SOCIETY

February Dinner

Jean Louis Smyl of Famille Quiot in the (Rhone Valley) was the star of the evening when the Hayfield Manor Wine Society held its inaugural dinner  in the hotel last November.

At a recent Hayfield event. Sandra is pictured with
Ballymaloe's Samuel (left) and yours truly. pic: Colm McCan.

Sommelière Sandra Biret-Crowley, who did some great work behind the scenes in organising the event, will have the help of Donie O’Brien from Erne Drinks Company when the next dinner takes place on February 23rd. Donie’s visit also signals a change of country as the wines from the awarding Santa Sofia winery in Italy will take centre stage on this occasion.

Hayfield’s Paul O’Connell is rightly proud of their wines: “We view wine as a vital part of the Hayfield Manor experience, and the superb cellar kept by our Sommelière Sandra Biret - Crowley, is a source of delight for experienced wine buffs and enthusiastic amateurs alike.

Enthusiasts looking to expand their knowledge of wine, or amateurs who simply love sampling new and exciting vintages, will relish the special wine events that are a regular feature in Hayfield Manor. Our exceptional suppliers regularly host events that offer an informal but informative exploration of the world of wine, especially some of its less well known delights, with plenty of entertainment to be enjoyed along the way.

We are also happy to offer exclusive events for groups, so if you’re looking for a corporate event or employee incentive evening with a difference, here’s the solution.”


 This special Santa Sofia wine dinner begins at 7.00pm with aperitifs and an introduction to the wines of the estate which is in Italy’s historic Valpolicella Classico region between Venice and Verona. It includes an ancient villa dating back to 1560.


Dinner is €79.00 per person which is served from 7.30pm and includes a 5 course menu specially created by the Executive Chef, Graeme Campbell, to complement 5 different wines.
 Limited spaces are available so an early reservation is strongly recommended. 
To book please call 021-4845900 or email events@hayfieldmanor.ie

MACROOM'S CASTLE TOPS THE POLL

Customers make Macroom hotel their Number One

Castle Hotel Scoops Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice Award

A delighted Lorraine Kelleher, who manages PR for the Castle Hotel, has been in touch to tell us all about the latest honour for the 4 star hotel in Macroom:

 "The Castle  beat off stiff competition and was voted best bargain hotel by Trip Advisor this week in its annual Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice Awards.

The Castle Hotel was ranked within the top twenty five hotels in Ireland in the “bargain” hotel award category by Trip Advisor. The Castle is no stranger to Trip Advisor and last year was awarded a Certificate of Excellence for 2011.

The prestigious awards are run on an annual basis by Trip Advisor, which is the world’s largest travel community, where millions of travellers seek information on all items travel related."

Owner, Don Buckley said “We are delighted to receive such an accolade and to be voted by the travellers themselves is what it’s all about at the end of the day. Our current rating with Trip Advisor stands at 94 % and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the team at The Castle for their continued hard work in achieving this. We strive for high standards at The Castle Hotel and we value our customers’ opinions at all times. This award is a fantastic boost as the hotel enters it’s sixty first year in business”

Marketing Manager, Rachael Kohler added “Given the current economic climate, we are conscious that customers are price sensitive and are always on the hunt for value for money, hence why we aim to be innovative when it comes to creating our packages. One of our current packages which are proving extremely popular amongst the public is our two hundred euro  all in deal for two people for two nights with full Irish breakfast on both mornings. This package also includes one evening meal for two with a complimentary bottle of wine on an evening of your choice”

For further information on this exclusive deal contact The Castle Hotel on 026-41074.

Amuse Bouche: Do Not Stay Long After Eating!!!

I've been pleasantly surprised at the success of these brief food related pieces; if you want to see all eleven, click here

“...a man stood in a wooden booth surrounded by tomatoes, cucumbers, and boiled potatoes in buckets of water. High stacks of white bread and a bowl of butter on his table, he sliced the vegetables fine. A series of cardboard signs in English hung...from the ceiling.....

DO NOT ASK FOR CREDIT

DO NOT DISCUSS OUR COMPETITOR'S RATE

DO NOT ASK FOR FREE PLASTIC BAG

DO NOT ASK FOR EXTRA TOMATO SAUCE

DO NOT STAY FOR LONG TIME AFTER EATING

---  from Last Man in Tower by Aravind Adiga

Sow and Grow, grow it yourself for all ages

SOW AND GROW 

A few months back we did a post - it turned out to be quite a popular one - about Ailish and her marvellous Sow and Grow project. With the winter on the wane and temperatures rising, Ailish is ready for the New Year as you can see:

"Happy new year! Sow and Grow have wonderful plans for Spring 2012, including gardening workshops for teachers, childcare providers, parents and kids and fabulous birthday party ideas. We are also working with people of all ages in communities, helping to set up and provide training in community gardens. I would love if you would have a read of our Spring newsletter, it may inspire you to get growing your own!"

Sow and Grow