Friday, May 10, 2024

Comfort and class as Greene's spring into summer with a new colourful interior and a new flavoursome menu.

Comfort and class as Greene's spring into summer with a new colourful interior and a new flavoursome menu. 

Dessert


With pessimism (mostly) seeping through the restaurant industry at the time, the last thing Cork diners wanted to hear last February was that Greene’s was closing, even if only for a renovation and a reboot. But that dark mood has been lifted in this restaurant at least when Greene’s reopened last week.


The pictures of the revamped interior were

Thursday, May 9, 2024

Rodano's Chianti Classico reflects a sense of place and tradition

Rodano Chianti Classico (DOCG) 2019, 14.50% ABV

RRP: €23.80. Stockists: Le Caveau, 64 Wine, Greenman Wines, Bradleys Cork



“Reflects a sense of place and tradition”


Our gorgeous Chinati Classico has a bright ruby colour with a garnet rim. Aromas are soft but fairly intense with cherries, forest fruit and an earthy hint. The savoury fruit is well balanced by the striking acidity and the long finish is enhanced by lingering red fruit flavours plus a hint of smoke.


Importers Le Caveau are happy with it: “..great to taste a

Have you tried the Spailpín Saison? On the craft trail with Killarney Brewing and Wicklow Wolf

On the craft trail with Killarney Brewing and Wicklow Wolf

Have you tried the Spailpín Saison?

Killarney Spailpín Saison 6.0% ABV, 750 ml bottle at the brewery


When you pour the Spailpín Saison (from its large bottle!), you will notice an abundance of tiny bubbles rising through the golden amber liquid and the soft white head. The aroma is mostly floral, with a light wheat note and a hint of spice. Refreshing and easy to drink, it is one of the better Irish saisons. Very Highly Recommended.


I wouldn't mind comparing it, head-to-head, with the

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Beer of the Week. Wide Street Plush Pale Ale

 Beer of the Week


Wide Street Plush Pale Ale 4.3% ABV, 440 ml can Bradleys


This turned out to be quite the ambush, not at all what I was expecting. A very pleasant surprise indeed and Beer of the Week.


Pale gold is the colour of the Plush Pale Ale by

Esporão 2022 Alentejano. A taste of Alentejo sunshine at an affordable price.

Esporão 2022 Alentejano (IG), 14% ABV

€17.95 at Bradleys



A taste of Alentejo sunshine at an affordable price.


This deep ruby organic red boasts a captivating bouquet – aromas of ripe plums and cherries merge delightfully with a floral and herbal nuance. The first sip is a revelation.  Full-bodied yet surprisingly fresh, the wine offers a cascade of juicy red fruit flavours, beautifully balanced by a hint of spice and silky, well-integrated tannins. The finish is long and persistent, leaving you wanting more.


Offering a taste of the Alentejo sunshine at an

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Poderi Del Nespoli Sangiovese - a wine for every occasion

Poderi Del Nespoli Sangiovese Romagna (DOC) 2020, 

13.5% ABV, €12.00 O’Donovan’s.



This is a wine for every occasion


This easy-to-drink organic Sangiovese is a wine for every occasion, proclaim the producers.

.It has a bright red ruby with violet highlights. Aromas are rich, with cherry and plum prominent. Full-bodied, it is smooth and intense, and fresh as

Experienced Paul Ryan is the new executive chef at Cork International Hotel. The Mallow native has over 20 years experience including roles in the USA and Middle East.

CORK INTERNATIONAL HOTEL APPOINTS NEW EXECUTIVE CHEF

Mallow native Paul Ryan has over 20 years’ experience including roles in the 

Middle East and USA























The experienced Paul Ryan is the new executive chef at Cork International Hotel and he wants to

Taste of the Week. Milk Chocolate & Marshmallow Cluster by Skellig Chocolate

Taste of the Week

Milk Chocolate & Marshmallow Clusters 

by Skellig Chocolate

Didn't make it as far as the beautiful St Finan's Bay and a view of the magnificent Skelligs during April's visit to Kerry.

I may have missed out on a

Mark Your Calendars, Foodies! And Families! Clonakilty Street Carnival Returns with a Culinary Extravaganza And celebrity chef Kevin Dundon!

 Mark Your Calendars, Foodies! And Families!

Clonakilty Street Carnival Returns with a Culinary Extravaganza

And celebrity chef Kevin Dundon!

Andrew Loane owner of Oak Fire Pizza, Diarmuid O'Sullivan & Mary T Daly of Irish Yogurts at the Irish Yogurts Clonakilty Street Carnival launch 2024. Photo by Andy Gibson

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and soak up the festive atmosphere! West Cork's beloved Clonakilty Street Carnival – sponsored by Irish Yogurts Clonakilty – is back on Saturday, June 15th, 2024, promising a jam-packed weekend unlike any other. Brace yourself for a gastronomic adventure that will leave even the most discerning foodie grinning from ear to ear.

Pearse Street Transformed 

Imagine

Sunday, May 5, 2024

Harper's Island Wetlands

Harper's Island Wetlands

Saturday 04.05.2024

Crap apple blossom?




Sand Martin nesting bank


Furze and distant tree

COLUMBINE or Aquilegia (according to Google Picture Search)

Teasel (will have lots of prickly heads later in the year)


Cuckoo Flower?????




Friday, May 3, 2024

The extended Allen family are sad to announce the passing of Hazel Allen

 A statement on behalf of Ballymaloe House 



Ballymaloe House and the extended Allen family are sad to announce the passing of Hazel Allen, née Lalor, who died peacefully on 3rd May,  in the care of Marymount Hospital, surrounded by loved ones, following a long illness.

Hazel was born on October 16th, 1950, in Cullohill, Co. Laois and spent most of her working life at Ballymaloe House, arriving first in 1969 and soon becoming involved in running the country house hotel and restaurant, as well as being a founding member of the Blue Book. Over the years Hazel was integral in bringing Ballymaloe from the small business she joined to the well-known name it is today. 

Hazel will be dearly missed by her husband Rory, children Cullen, Fawn, Darren, Caragh and Roisín, her 15 grandchildren, sons and daughters in law, the Allen family, friends, staff and guests of Ballymaloe.

Funeral announcement to follow.

A red-gold rarity. This Kloster Sud from Germany is a very special beer! Drink of the Bank Holiday Weekend!

Drink of the Bank Holiday Weekend. Special…

Klosterbrauerei Weissenohe Kloster Sud 

5.4% ABV, 500ml bottle Bradleys 



A red-gold rarity


Amber to dark red is the colour of our beer from the Kloster Sud (the South monastery). Aromas of Lightly toasted malt aroma.  The expected malt sweetness is experienced on the palate. Indeed it is richly richly malty, with caramel and notes of light spice. It is straight-up refreshing, totally satisfactory right through to the lingering bitter-sweet finish. 


An amazing beer, this Kloster Sud is brewed according to the Märzenbier tradition. But don’t call it a lager or Märzen. It may be bottom-fermented like a lager but thanks to the rare so-called three-mash process and a long ageing process it has a distinctive character with a balanced malt sweetness, fruity acidity and a subtle tartness.. The brewery suggests it is suitable for strong roasts, steaks, smoked meats and even desserts.



It is full and soft and is called a Franconian Red (not to be confused with Belgian reds). This is a historical and renowned southern German style. If you like Märzen, you’ll probably like “red beer.”


Thought I might see Rothbier (German for Red Beer) on my label but the brewery, the Weisenoher Klosterbrauei, do have Spezial Bier on the neck and I can certainly agree with that.


It is a staff favourite in Bradleys and that is where I was tipped off about it. Danke Bradleys!

For One Night Only, Aniar in Galway Collaborates with Chef Meeran Manzoor of Rare at Blue Haven Kinsale

press release

For One Night Only, Aniar in Galway Collaborates with Chef Meeran Manzoor of Rare at Blue Haven Kinsale

JPMcMahon Aniar (Pic Andrew Downes)

 


Award-winning chef Meeran Manzoor will join JP McMahon in the newly renovated Aniar 2.0 for one night only on May 30th. 


In the latest edition of the Chef Swap at Aniar series and part of Blas Na Gaillimhe’s month of food in May (Blas na Bealtaine). Two unique styles of food will form