Sunday, December 4, 2022

Aroi open beautiful new Asian restaurant in Carrigaline

Aroi open beautiful new Asian restaurant in Carrigaline


Aroi returned to Cork in some style with last Wednesday’s “soft” opening of their beautiful new restaurant in Carrigaline. 


Don’t be fooled by the narrow frontage (just south of the bridge on the main street). When you walk in, you gasp at the high ceiling, the comfortable booths and the row of high tables. And more of the sparkling pleasing decor is revealed as you walk further into the long, narrow and high space and you realise they also have a large room upstairs (and more space outside when the weather turns warmer in the spring).

Salmon



Aroi had a popular restaurant in Cork’s Huguenot Quarter up to a few years ago when a fire knocked them out.  The Carrigaline outlet is linked to their Kilkenny
venue.


We were guests at the soft opening and it took us quite a while to read the extensive menu. They’ve got dishes from Thailand, Korea, Malaysia, Japan, Hong Kong, and Indonesia. Menu heading include nibbles, starters, soups, and salads. Mains include Signature, Rice, Curry, Stir Fried, Grilled, Wok Noodles. And yes they do desserts as well!



Sitting comfortably in our booth and sipping a couple of beers ( one Asian and one non alcoholic Italian), we finally made our choices.


My starter was the Kajang Satay, their “authentic recipe from the town of Kajang in Malaysia, Chicken thigh meat skewer marinated with local spice served with peanut sauce”. Three pieces of top quality chicken, along with the well-known sauce and some raw veg (including cucumber sticks) was quite a treat.



Our other starter was their Porpia Bpet Tod (Crispy homemade Duck spring roll served with sweet chilli). Another Asian gem, lifted by the sweet chilli dip. 

All starters are reasonably priced, between six and seven euro. Most of the mains are under fifteen euro except for the signature dishes which range from 16.50 to 18.50.


Duck
The Teriyaki Salmon (€17) is Baked sesame-crusted Salmon Teriyaki on a bed of wok-fry Asian green vegetables, ginger, garlic garnished with pickled ginger. That was one of our choices. A lovely well-cooked piece of fish. The sauce came in its own little bowl so you choose how much you wanted yourself which is handy. Amazing how they (Asian restaurants in general) always seem to get these green vegetables spot-on.

The salmon came with brown rice while my bowl was full of jasmine rice. My main was Isaan style Crispy Roast Duck (14.00). This was Sliced half Duck cooked to perfection, bedded on top of those marvellous Asian green vegetables with tamarind sauce. Full of flavour and aromatic and very satisfying indeed!


Quite a satisfying occasion overall with the management and the new recruits getting to know the dishes and all doing very well indeed. Well worth checking out! They have room, lots of it and, at present, can seat somewhere between 120 and 140. And, genuinely, the food is excellent, well priced with lots of variety. And I almost forgot to mention, there’s a large selection of Asian Cocktails, no shortage of wine, plenty of beer and also the local Stonewell Cider.

Saturday, December 3, 2022

Beer of the Year 2022. My Favourite Beers of the Year. Best of November - The Short List

Beer of the Year 2022. 

My Favourite Beers of the Year. 

Best of November - The Short List


(November was an excellent month and selection was tough! Now to pick a winner.)

November Short List

Session: Third Barrel Day Drinkin 111 Revenge of the Hops Session IPA

Stout: Sullivan’s Black Marble Stout.   

Black IPA: Wicklow Wolf Sirius Black IPA

IPA: Lough Gill If I was in LA Californian IPA; Blacks Stratasbeer Intergalactic IPA. 

Marzen: Kinnegar Leaf Kicker 2022 Marzen

Export Stout: Whiplash The Wake Export Stout, 7.0% 

Red Ale: Galway Bay Bay Ale Red Ale

Belgian Pale Ale: Wide Street Spéciale 

Rye IPA: Kinnegar Rustbucket Rye IPA.

Friday, December 2, 2022

BRAND NEW WINE PODCAST 'WINE: THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT'

BRAND NEW WINE PODCAST 
'WINE: THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT' 

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY GIVE WINE A FUTURE

Calling all wine lovers!

From the curious to the connoisseur, if you love wine and want to delve a little deeper into what’s behind the label, then tune into our podcast Wine: The Long and the Short of It.

If you feel you are in a rut choosing the same reliable bottle, or you find the myriad of options on store shelves and wine lists confusing, then this is the podcast for you! Learn how to understand the language of wine and to read wine labels like a pro. Discover how to identify stellar wines on the shelves and find the gems on restaurant lists. Covering the hot topics of wine from sustainability to the latest trends, as well as taking a look at favourite grapes and styles, this podcast is a deep dive into the complex world of wine.

The Long and The Short!

Your hosts Antonia Dominguez & Lynda Coogan, have a combined 27 years of experience in the wine trade and will take you on a journey that navigates the complexities of wine in a fun and conversational way, exploring new trends as well as debunking common wine myths. Episodes will be filled with wine tips, recommendations, laughs, chats and debates!

Our first series explored themes such as ‘Wine myths,’ ‘What’s your wine style?’, ‘Wine destinations’, ‘Food and wine pairings’,’ and more. Tune in for our bonus Christmas specials when we’ll be covering all things food and wine, bubbles and gifting to inspire you this Christmas. We will kick off the second series in the new year with more hot topics, including 'Understanding wine labels', 'The truth about celebrity wines', 'Alternative wine packaging', and much more. You can find us on all podcast platforms so tune in to expand your wine horizons!

About your hosts

Antonia Dominguez was born in Jerez, Spain where her life-long passion for wine began. She has worked in the wine industry for over 13 years, 10 of which she spent running her own wine export- import business with a focus on the Chinese market. Today, she is the Wine Specialist for premium retailer Donnybrook Fair. Antonia is currently a stage two student on the prestigious Master of Wine program, of which there are 415 titleholders in the world.

Lynda Coogan is a wine specialist with over 14 years’ experience in the wine and drinks industry. Holding a WSET (Wine Spirit Education Trust) Diploma, Lynda also was awarded the prestigious George O’Malley Tasting Cup, given to her for her outstanding performance in blind tasting wines. Lynda features regularly on #MoviesandBooze on the Sean Moncrieff show on Newstalk FM.

About our sponsor

Give Wine a Future’ is a movement founded by Findlater & Co. in 2021 in response to the climate emergency. The Give Wine a Future objective is to support and promote wine producers who are actively working to have a positive impact on the planet from the soil to your glass.

For more information please email us at ourwinepodcast@gmail.com
Follow Wine: The Long and the Short of It on Instagram (@winethelongandtheshortofit)


Press release





Thursday, December 1, 2022

Beer of the Year 2022. My Favourite Beers of the Year 2022. Best of November - The Long List

My Favourite Beers of the Year 2022

Best of November - The Long List

(November was an excellent month and selection was whittled down from a much longer one!)

November Long List

Session: Third Barrel Day Drinkin 111 Revenge of the Hops Session IPA

Stout: Sullivan’s Black Marble Stout.   Wicklow Wolf Locavore Winter 2022 Dry Irish Stout. 

Black IPA: Wicklow Wolf Sirius Black IPA

IPA: Lough Gill If I was in LA Californian IPA; Blacks Stratasbeer Intergalactic IPA. West Cork Brewing Cape Haze West Coast IPA.

Marzen: Kinnegar Leaf Kicker 2022 Marzen

Export Stout: Whiplash The Wake Export Stout, 7.0% 

Helles: Boundary Next Episode Helles Lager. 

Red Ale: Galway Bay Bay Ale Red Ale,

Belgian Pale Ale: Wide Street Spéciale. 

Rye IPA: Kinnegar Rustbucket Rye IPA.


2022

Beer of the Year 

Confirmed to date


November: ??????

October: Wide Street Coolship Spontaneously Fermented Ale

September: Bradleys with Dot Nice One IPA

August: 12 Acres Pale Ale

July: Wicklow Wolf Locavore Summer 2022 Foraged Elderflower Saison

June: Wicklow Wolf Mescan Wit or Without You Belgian Wit

May: Wicklow Wolf Locavore Spring 2022 Barrel Aged Farmhouse Ale

April: Whiplash True Love Waits Dry Hopped Pils

March: Lineman Schadenfreude Schwarzbier

February: Wicklow Wolf  “Apex Cherry” Black Cherry Oatmeal Stout.

January: Whiplash Dry the Rain Double Decoction Dunkel

December 2021: Lough Gill Mac Nutty Macadamia Nut

WINES OF THE WORLD ARE EXPANDING! WINES AS ALWAYS BUT NOW SPIRITS GALORE AS WELL



BREAKING NEWS.......


WINES OF THE WORLD
ARE EXPANDING!
Kate & Thomas of Wines of the World have been in touch: As of today December 1st we are delighted to announce we are expanding our range!

Of course you can still purchase all of your favourite wines, now you can also purchase the spirits of your choice.

Are you looking for a special bottle of 10 year old Irish Whiskey or rather a peated Scotch?

How about a fancy Gin for your favourite Gin&Tonic?

Or are you looking for liqueurs to mix some delicious cocktails over the Christmas Period?

We invite you to explore our new portfolio, which we will constantly update and expand! Visit shop here

Over 170 different premium spirits from around the world - truly SPIRITS OF THE WORLD!


Curated Christmas Hampers From Heart of Spain

media release

Curated Christmas Hampers From Heart of Spain



Calling all Iberophiles or those who simply enjoy good food and drink - Cork-based Heart of Spain is now offering hampers filled with authentic gourmet food and drink from artisan producers in the Castilla and León regions in Spain directly to Irish customers at www.heartofspain.ie


Curated by Heart of Spain owner Alejandro Garrote, a native of Salamanca now based in Cork, the hampers offer a unique pairing of the best produce the region has to offer from artisan food producers, along with wines from the region. For Alejandro, creating the hampers for Heart of Spain is a true labour of love. “Ever since I arrived in Ireland in 2000, I have wanted to share my country’s culture and food and drink with the Irish people. Showcasing the very best of the Castilla and León regions and the local artisan producers from the heart of Spain is a dream come through for me.”


Alejandro has created new hampers for the festive season including the popular  Castilla Y Leon Hamper (Christmas Edition), €150, featuring two bottles of Spanish red wine - a Crianza and a Tempranillo,  and a bottle of Verdejo white wine along with a tin of Suckling Pig Ham Leg that serves two and comes ready to cook. It also includes a delicious sheep’s cheese matured for over 12 months, along with duck liver paté with Cognac, an artisan chorizo, two Iberian Cebo de Campo ham slices and a tin of rillettes. Sweet treats include two slabs of Turron, one of the most popular and well-known sweets in Spain, and is made with toasted almonds, honey, sugar and egg. There’s also a box of Polvorones, traditional Spanish holiday cookies made from almonds, a jar of cherries in grappa syrup, and a jar of pears in wine. You’ll also get some great quality virgin olive oil and roasted red peppers along with a Heart of Spain apron and a Guide to Castilla Y Leon.


Cheese lovers are sure to appreciate the Castilla Y Leon Christmas Gift Box (Cheese Edition), €100, featuring cured cheese with rosemary, Reserva cheese and Gran Reserva cheese complemented by piglet paté, sweet fig, tomato confit and honey. It also contains two slabs of Turron and a box of Polvorones as well as extra virgin olive oil, a bottle of Crianza red wine, a bottle of Verdejo white wine plus a Guide to Castilla Y Leon and a Heart of Spain apron. 


Other hampers available include the Romantica Gift Box, €100; the Castilla Y Leon Christmas Hamper Foie Gras Edition, €100; the Cured Meat Gift Box, €100, the Cooked Piglet Pack (Cochinillo Confitado), €110; the Whole Duck Confit Hamper, €80; the Cheese Party Hamper, €65; the Party for Two Hamper, €70; the Tapas Gift Box, €100; and the El Camino Gift Box, €100. Alternatively, you can choose to stock up on a range of Spanish cheeses, charcuterie, condiments and wines sold individually.


Heart of Spain, deliveries in Ireland and Northern Ireland, www.heartofspain.ie. Last day to order for delivery in time for Christmas is Monday, 19th December.

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Taste of the Week. On the double: Raw honeycomb and Berliner Brot

Taste of the Week

On the double: Raw honeycomb and Berliner Brot


Just one little slice of Berliner Brot will bring you to sweet heaven.

Raw honeycomb is a real delicacy of nature and our joint Taste of the Week. It is also one of the most efficient ways of storing the honey and I picked up my current honeycomb from Galtee Honey at the recent Ballymaloe Craft Fair. It is delicious plus any superlative you’d like to add.

Aoife runs the Galtee Honey Farm, just off the R639 north east of Mitchelstown. The honey is 100% fresh floral honey from the Galtees. It is seasonal and you won't find too many more this year but no harm in trying!

The short "season" for Berliner Brot lasts from the first day of advent until these beautiful sweet snacks run out probably, unless you hide them away, before Christmas. Addicts (and that is what will happen to you!) have waited patiently the past 11 months for the comeback of the most delicious Christmas German biscuit. 

I got a little bagful from Ryes and Shine at the regular Saturday morning stall (10.00am to 12.00pm) at St Lukes Cross . Baker Angela says: This is my German family’s secret recipe. .. These biscuits are so heavenly delicious - they are a little soft, gooey on the inside, and are packed with cocoa and walnuts. 

Ryes and Shine (086/3565036) is a German microbakery in Cork, a member of  #realbreadireland, specialising in organic artisan sourdough breads, especially rye.

These "biscuits" are amazing. As Angela says: A perfect little gift - if not to someone else, then to yourself!

* By the way, in honour of the location and of the help she has received from Henchy's, Angela has produced a superb St Luke's loaf. Watch out for that also!

The Imperial Hotel unveils Sketch dinner menu and opens its swanky new bar, No. 76

 press release

The Imperial Hotel unveils Sketch dinner menu 

and opens its swanky new bar, No. 76


Cork’s elegant Imperial Hotel has unveiled further plans to bring its food and drinks offering to the next level.

Due to its popularity, their botanical-themed Sketch venue on Pembroke Street will become the main restaurant, serving brunch, lunch and a newly designed dinner menu devised by the recently appointed Executive Head Chef Ali Honour. 

The menu, which will change regularly to ensure it features fresh local produce and to cut down on food waste, will feature small plates of appetisers and starters along with mouth-watering mains including Coconut, Ginger & Spinach Chicken; Braised Orange & Anise Duck Leg, Beef and Guinness Pie; a gourmet Double Cheeseburger with onion jam; roast pumpkin with coconut dahl; local fish and steak. Elevated desserts on offer include Cafe Gourmand, Blackberry and Bay Panna Cotta; Sticky Pear and Ginger Pudding with Butterscotch and Chantilly; Gubbeen Cheese with Cracker & Drunken Figs; and a limited edition ‘Grinchmas Misu’ to tie in with the hotel’s Grinch who stole Christmas theme.   



P. O’Connell Butchers, Ballycotton Seafood, Toonsbridge Dairy, The English Market, and Gulfstream, known for responsible and sustainable fishing, are some of the local producers that feature in the menu.

The restaurant, which is an oasis of informal charm, looks set to become a top spot to catch up with friends over delicious food and original locally sourced cocktails, like the Princess Grace, the Rebel Passion and the Season’s Diamond.


Meanwhile the Imperial’s former restaurant at their South Mall entrance has undergone a makeover and will be home to a swanky new barNo. 76.  The space has a new look and feel with a fresh navy and blue colour palette and specially commissioned wallpaper, based on the hotel’s dinnerware from 1890 and Cork landmarks behind each place on the pattern, which hold significant meaning for Cork’s oldest hotel.  Two plates from the dinner set were gifted to an employee named Annie Perrie for her wedding and were passed down to her eldest granddaughter who gifted them back to the hotel in 2018. 

Photo credits: Louis Tang @noirxtone (Instagram)

No. 76 will open Thursday to Sunday and will have live music every night in December, with an eclectic mix of lounge, soul and jazz.  There a fully stocked bar featuring the hotel’s signature cocktails which use 99% local ingredients signature, along with their own Imperial Pale Ale (IPA), which has an ‘8 miles to the tap’ ethos, locally brewed Cotton Ball craft beers, Guinness and Diageo products, spirits, and their popular European organic and vegan wines and Taittinger champagne flights. 

A range of light bites will be on offer at No. 76, which will also change depending on local supply. These include the hotels signature birdcage sharing platters and small plates like Macroom Burrata, Chickpea Flatbread with spicy carrot hummus, Crispy Goats Cheese, Ham Hock Rillettes, Crispy Cod, Crispy Brioche Beef Ragu, Smoked Mackerel along with snacks such as olives, mixed nuts and seeds or handmade crisps.


Commenting on the announcement, General Manager Bastien Peyraud said “We are proud to be a multi-award-winning hotel guided by a sustainable mindset. Our ethos is to constantly evolve, and we’re very excited to lift the lid on dinner at Sketch and launch our swanky new bar at No. 76, which will hopefully become a top spot to socialise in.

Both venues will feature an invisible cocktail for €5 with 0 calories and 100% of proceeds going to the Rebel Wheelers, who empower children and adults with a physical disability by introducing them to sports in a fun and safe environment.

Bookings can be made at imperialhotelcork.com

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Happy on The Hill. Badass Brunch at O’Mahony’s

Happy on The Hill. Badass Brunch at O’Mahony’s

Planet Dessert


Brunch in O’Mahony’s of Watergrasshill is that bit different. Certainly you may have your eggs and bacon and maple syrup and they do a French Toast. But the dishes here, based on local and seasonal, have their own outstanding character as we soon found out.


I suppose what really stands out when you scan the menu is the amount of local producers that are mentioned. That French toast is on Arbutus Bread and the bacon is from Fitzgerald's. 


Then, there’s Ardsallagh goats cheese, Adam’s eggs, Skeaghanore duck, Knockalara cheese, Glenbrook Farm pork, Goatsbridge trout caviar and also the marvellous Yum Gelato. On the drinks side (including cocktails) you’ll find Blackwater Distillery, Valentia Island Vermouth, Stonewell, 9 White Deer, Killahora and Blacks of Kinsale among others.

Rosti with duck, bacon and eggs


Our small group were soon sorted and the order went in. I was tempted by one of the specials: Rossmore Oysters, Spinach and Shallot and Vermouth Sauce but in the end went for the House Potato Rosti, Poached Adams Eggs hollandaise, Skeaghanore confit duck leg, and Fitzgerald’s streaky bacon. 


Quite a precarious stack but a lovely meal, everything cooked to perfection, full of gorgeous flavours and with a lovely crunchy texture in the rosti and bacon, soft in the eggs and the shredded duck was the usual high quality you expect from its West Cork producers. Another of our party also enjoyed this one.

Turbot and scallop special


CL meantime (who had her eye on the rosti initially), settled for the the other special: Turbot, scallops on toast with Langoustine sauce. “Settled for” is probably the wrong phrase as this drew envious glances as it was served and lived up to its promise. Another top notch dish from O’Mahony’s kitchen. Our fourth member enjoyed his Fitzgerald’s striploin steak, Adam eggs, chips and hollandaise, so a very happy quartet indeed.


And the finish was also superb, harmonious even as all four of us picked the Spiced crème brûlée tart, strawberry and cream Yum Gelato. That particular Gelato is perhaps my favourite of the extensive flavours from Yum Gelato and that tart was indeed well spiced (I think there was a decent drop of rum in there). Full marks too by the way for the coffees.

Steak, eggs, chips

They do evening meals there on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 5.30 and I got a copy of that menu. Much more extensive than lunch or brunch and every bit as tempting. 


Victor, who does front of house with Máire, told us that Chef Phelan is very strong on Italian and his Knockalara agnolotti, with Raw Lough Honey and Hazelnuts, has been known to stop the conversation when delivered to the table. So there’s a tip for you!


Lunch is served between noon and 3.00pm Thursday to Saturday. The brunch window on Sunday is 10.30 to 2.30. Bookings at 086 8316879 or omahonysofwgh@gmail.com.


The Alternative Bread Company Celebrates 25 years in Business at the English Market, Cork

 The Alternative Bread Company Celebrates 25 years in Business at the English Market, Cork 



The renowned English Market stall, The Alternative Bread Company (ABC) is proudly celebrating 25 years in business this week. To thank its loyal customers for their support over the years, ABC is turning back the clocks and selling its range of artisan bread at the same price it was in 1997, all day today, Tuesday, 29th November 2022. 


 After working in London’s food and drink sector for some years, Sheila relocated to Cork in 1996 with her five children and spotted a gap in the market for artisan bread. The artisan bakery, founded by Sheila Fitzpatrick and master baker Paul Walsh, first opened its stall in the heart of Cork’s English Market in 1997.


Priding itself on offering the largest range of handmade bread in Ireland, ABC leads the way in innovation, selling a large range of handmade bread and baked goods, from a range of 100% organic sourdoughs, traditional Irish soda bread and Syrian flatbread, to a wide variety of gluten free, wheat free, dairy free and sugar free products. 


Sheila Fitzpatrick, founder of Alternative Bread Company, said: “We have had a brilliant 25 years in business. Since opening in ‘97, all of my five children and plenty of my nieces and nephews have worked in the stall in the English Market. We have met so many great people through the stall - such as Evonne McMahon our manager who has been with us for almost 20 years, our suppliers and customers, who have become like family. We want to give back to both those long-term and new customers to celebrate the occasion. What better way then to bring life back to the nineties for a day!”


The English Market is open 8am-6pm, Monday to Saturday (closed on Sundays & Bank Holidays). For more information and to keep up to date with the latest news, visit The English Market social media pages on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook or visit www.corkcity.ie/en/english-market/


press release