RESTAURANTS AND FOOD

Friday, August 27, 2021

Spanish Wine Week at La Cave, Tuesday 5th October, 2021

Spanish Wine Week at La Cave

Tuesday 5th October, 2021

Spanish wines are currently in great demand. There are so many positives in terms of their production and innovation to appeal to the Irish wine consumer. It is not surprising to see that Spain overtook France and Italy here in terms of volume sales in 2018 and today Spanish wine is the second most popular country of origin on the Irish market.

Spanish wine has a lot going for it, the climate is generally excellent for viticulture, there are plenty of old vines and a lot of indigenous grape varieties. Spain also has a very good track record when it comes to producing organic and biodynamic wines. 90% of organic grapes globally come from European wine regions, and within Europe Spain comes in second place in terms of organic production, 11.6% of all wines produced in Spain are now organic.

Wines of Spain continue to be very active on this market in terms of their promotional work and this has helped sales of Spanish wine to grow strongly. Initiatives such as Spanish Wine Week help drive awareness for Spanish wine with the Irish consumer.

Now that restaurants are open again and indoor dining is back, Wines of Spain will be turning its focus to the restaurant and wine bar sector. The 6th edition of the Spanish Food & Wine Week will be a focal point for this. Spanish Food & Wine week will take place from 4th-10th October, 2021 and the programme will include a number of consumer events featuring food and wine tastings and cookery demonstration presented by Ireland's most prestigious food and wine experts and chefs. Spanish Food & Wine week will also feature lots of discounts and promotional offers countrywide through a network of wine shops, off licences, restaurants, wine bars and on-line retailers.

On Tuesday 5th October, 2021, La Cave Wine Bar, Dublin's oldest and original wine bar will join forces with Jean Smullen WSET to offer a fun evening of Spanish Food and Wine in their upstairs function room. Jean will present a selection of six wines from a number of regions in Spain that will highlight the unique diversity of these Spanish wine styles. A selection of Tapas to match the wine will also be served. Those attending can enter a draw to win an exclusive wine hamper featuring all six wines. For the duration of Spanish Food & Wine Week, La Cave Wine Bar will also be offering a range of Spanish Wines by the Glass for their wine bar customers to purchase.

Details:

Tuesday 5th October, 2021 18:30-20:30 La Cave Wine Bar, 28 South Anne Street, Dublin 2. €25.00 (please note tickets much be booked in advance of the tasting)

Tel: (01) 679 4409

E: lacavewinebar@gmail.com

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Priory Coffee. Now in six locations. Coffee, Toasties and Much More.

Priory Coffee. Now in six locations.

Coffee, Toasties and Much More.

Americano & Portuguese Tart for a fiver!

Having enjoyed the walk (c. 7km in total) on the new boardwalk, we head into the heart of Youghal for lunch at the Priory Café on Main Street. It is our first time calling there but we can’t miss it as there’s a lively crowd enjoying themselves at the outdoor tables. As it happens, having been out in the sun for much of the morning, we are quite happy with an indoor seat. (Read post on new boardwalk here.)

After a warm welcome, we were soon seated and studying the menu. It included quite a few breakfast items but most of those aren’t available after 12.00pm; yet that Full Irish looked tempting.

Busy spot!

Plenty of choice aside from that though, including Lebanese flatbreads (one with chicken, one vegetarian), pancakes (the one with Nutella seem popular with the kids), the all-day Breakfast Blaa (very popular also we’re told), and a selection of sourdough toasties and more.

No less than five toasties on offer including Chicken and cheese etc; Special with natural ham, cheddar cheese etc; Chorizo (Chorizo and cheddar cheese etc); and one with Galway Goat Farm Cheese and more. I had been tipped off about the Reuben and that was my pick, a generous and delicious combination of Beef Pastrami, Cheddar cheese, sauerkraut, scallions, mayo and the all-important Ballymaloe Relish.

Super salad

Meanwhile CL was “working” her way through their massive Signature Salad consisting of Gold River Salad Mix, Semi sun-dried tomato pesto and Fresh Herbs Bulgar Salad, pickled beets, hummus, red onion & cucumber pickle, Maple syrup gazed & roasted almonds and cashews, with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Lots of pickle there but very tasty overall. You also had the option of adding chicken or falafel.

The counter is stacked with tempting pastries making it difficult to pick two! But we were more than happy with our Caramel Square and Portuguese Custard Tart. Indeed, that tart was one of the best local versions that we’ve come across.

Reuben

By the way, they have some very good combo deals. We didn’t really spot this on the way but the servers and the system worked a treat and we got the benefit. For instance, my toastie (7.80 on its own) and superb Badger & Dodo American came to a deal total of €10.00. The coffee and pastry deal costs just a fiver. Good food, good value and good friendly service as well.

Prior have been in the news recently, as they have just opened their second city branch in MacCuratin Street. Youghal is their original café and they also have outlets in Fermoy, Mallow, Roverstick and North Main Street (in the city), an impressive six in all.

Locations:

56 Main Street, Youghal (they are also known here for their burgers and Fish ’N Chips)

2 Riverside Grove, Riverstick (next to the Centra/petrol station)

1 Brian Boru Square, Fermoy

106 Main Street, Mallow

1 North Main Street, Cork City (next to the Gate cinema)

MacCurtain Street, Cork City (opposite Gallagher’s Gastro Pub); check out their Priory Hatch for quick service!

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Stepping Out On Youghal's New Boardwalk

Youghal's New Boardwalk

Heading towards Redbarn

These are great days to be striding out on Youghal's new boardwalk that runs from the town's Front Strand to Redbarn Beach. Of course, if you like the feeling of sand between your toes, you have the option of walking on the beaches or doing half and half. As far as I know the boardwalk (in two sections with a concrete path joining the two at Claycastle), officially opened in mid-summer, is 3.5km long for a single end to end walk. Well worth a visit.

Before or after your walk, why not take a look around the town and enjoy the lovely floral displays and its other attractions. We called to the Priory on the main street for an excellent lunch, fairly priced too. More details here.