Schnitzel seems to be having a moment on menus. Excellent example at Jacques.

Schnitzel seems to be having a moment on menus. Excellent example at Jacques

Schnitzel 

Schnitzel seems to be having a moment on restaurant menus. I came across the dish, which may be of Austrian or German origin, in Harrow^ in Killarney in March, in Westport’s Pantry & Corkscrew^^ in April and last week at Jacques in Cork. The first two were pork while the Cork version had chicken. 

Veal and other meats (even turkey) may be used. Early last year, in The Tannery, they served a Quail schnitzel (with green peppercorn and wild garlic butter, seasonal vegetables) as a starter.

Scallops

Not the only little surprise in Jacques as they have been doing wines on tap for close to a year now, saying this is one of freshest and environmentally friendly ways to serve and drink it. "The wines come in kegs which maintain the wines' integrity and waste due to spoilage is significantly reduced. Also, the environmental impact of importing bulk wine is far better in terms of emissions."

They have five on offer, two white (well, one of those is an ”orange” Grüner Veltliner), two reds (a Tempranillo from Castille and a Sangiovese from Montepulciano. And there’s also an organic, Low Intervention Blanc De Blanc Frissant by Maison Idiart of Provence.

From the tap, we enjoyed a Spanish white, Verdejo by Los Aljibes, crisp and balanced, tropical nose and lingering finish. Easy drinking and good with Snitzel! Before all that we had a warm welcome from Jacque herself and her staff (including one of our own third generation), so we felt very much at home, as we always do here.

Back to the Schnitzel. I've rarely seen it on an Irish menu previously but Schnitzel is tenderised meat covered in breadcrumbs and fried until golden and crispy. That’s the basic description but the word could well start quite a debate if you have a German and an Austrian talking about it!

Strawberries!

The Jacques dish is Chicken Schnitzel, White Cabbage, Pickled Vegetable, Rustic Potatoes, with "My Goodness" Red Cabbage and it is delicious, made more so by the inspired accompaniment of crunchy cabbage, the tang of the pickled veg and that gorgeous Red Cabbage by My Goodness. Lots of flavours, a great piece of chicken and some very pleasant, crunchy veg. A long way from some of the examples I got while staying at 3-star country hotels in Austria about 20 years ago, pork everywhere and most of it tough.

CL also had a mid-European touch in her mains: Seared Castletownbere Scallops, Cauliflower, Sweet & Sour Onion, Nuts, Caherbeg Blackpudding, Raisins, Crispy Rosti. Not exactly the same Rosti as you'd typically get in Switzerland but a good one and the by now classic combination of scallops and black pudding (both from West Cork) came up trumps again.

Arancini

And I would finish with another West Cork classic: Bushby Strawberries, Vanilla Ice Cream, Elderflower, and Praline Crumb. Hard to beat Bushbys when it comes to top-quality flavoursome strawberries and, by the way, the Jacques serving is generous. And, at the other side of the table, CL was humming away as her Boozy Tiramisu vanished off the plate!

We had started well also, CL with Arancini Balls stuffed with Toonsbridge Scamorza & Beef Cheek, Tomato & Pepper Salsa. We met Toby from Toonsbridge at his stall in Midleton the following Saturday and picked up some more of his fabulous produce (including fresh pasta and a Garlic Scape & Parsley Pesto). 

Artichoke & Beetroot starter

My starter at Jacques was the marvellous Artichoke, Lemon, Tahini, Roast Beetroot, Mushroom stuffed Aubergines, Crispy Spiced Chickpeas, a stunning assemblage of top-notch produce, more or less the theme for what would follow for the rest of the meal.

Top-class food and an efficient and friendly crew taking care of us!

^Schnitzel at Harrow, Killarney. The full description is Pork Schnitzel, Celeriac Purée, Herb and Parmesan Dressing, and Celeriac Slaw with Jus. A hearty flavoursome dish to watch out for if you visit.

^^Schnitzel at Pantry & Corkscrew Westport: Herb Crusted Andarl Farm Free Range Pork Schnitzel, Pancetta & Parmesan Cream, Potato, Fennel and Butternut Hash. Crispy and tasty, full of flavour and texture and the potato and sauce enhanced the whole dish. A big thumbs up for this one.

DEFIANT IRISH SPIRITS LAUNCHED AT BLOOM FESTIVAL

press release

DEFIANT IRISH SPIRITS LAUNCHED AT BLOOM FESTIVAL 

John D'Alton, Sales Ambassador for Defiant Irish Spirits
and Ashley McGregor, Foxes Bow Marketing Manager

Announcing the launch of Defiant Irish Spirits, a trade alliance of six independent modern, premium Irish drinks brands. 

They are working together to create a unique team that can collectively market, sell and communicate their products to national and international hospitality and retail sectors. This is being done by hiring brand ambassadors that represent all six companies and sharing the one social media channel with content solely produced for the trade & bartender community.

Defiant Irish Spirits is comprised of:

- Blood Monkey

Blood Monkey Irish Gin brings a new taste profile to gin lovers - based on the original 17th century Genever recipe. Blood Monkey has been designed as a sipping gin - one of only a few gins that can be drunk neat as well as in a traditional gin & tonic and whiskey cocktails. It was awarded "Best Contemporary Gin in Ireland" at the World Gin Awards.

- Coole Swan

Coole Swan was born to reinvent Irish cream for a modern world. It is an unruly re-creation of a classic Irish product, a perfect blend of whiskey, chocolate and cream. Wine Enthusiast scored it 96/100 and described it as, "the pinnacle of quality." 

- Foxes Bow

With a distinct lack of respect for rules and a severe impatience with the status quo, Foxes Bow is a whiskey for everyone. But it won't be for everyone. Inspired by the popularity of rye whiskey in Toronto and San Francisco, Foxes Bow were eager to explore the impact of rye on Irish whiskey. So they added a rye cask finish to their first release.

- istil 38 Craft Irish Vodka

istil 38's crisp clean aromas truly set it apart from the crowd. These are the products of a carefully refined distillation process. specifically designed to create a smooth, rounded full flavoured Irish vodka. The result? istil 38 tastes just as stunning over ice as it does with a splash of your favourite mixer.

- Mad March Hare Poitín

For centuries poitín was an illicit spirit but was made legal again in 1997 and can now be found on back bars all across Ireland instead of under the counter. Today Mad March Hare is proud to be leading the revolution as the world's number 1 poitín brand. It is made with locally sourced West Cork barley and distilled traditionally three times in copper pot stills.

- Two Shores

Two Shores is a unique premium golden rum, handcrafted in Panama and hand finished in Ireland. Sustainably sourced, superior golden rum distilled using only pure sugar cane in the heart of Central America that is finished further for a minimum of six months on the west coast of Ireland in a range of hand selected Irish whiskey casks. It recently won four golds at the World Rum Awards, including Best in Ireland.

 

Defiant Irish Spirits will be officially launched at Bord Bia's Bloom Festival in Phoenix Park taking place from June 1st - 5th. They will have their own stand at the Bloom Inn where each brand will be showcasing a signature serve and cocktail.

 

Defiant!

Speaking on the launch of Defiant Irish Spirits, Alice Carroll of Foxes Bow says, "Each of our brands is very much going against the grain of much larger companies and sit so well together as a portfolio. By taking a unified approach, not only can we pool resources but we can reduce our operational costs by sharing the ambassadors or by sharing stands at bar shows and promotional events, such as our launch at Bloom. It is a far more efficient use of all our time.

We are also trying to make the trade buyers' lives easier. Instead of 6 individual brands looking for time to discuss their products with bars or off-licences, we have all the main spirits categories represented in our portfolio, and by working with us, the bars are showing they are supporting local Irish brands”.

 

Shane Davey of istil 38 adds, "With istil 38, our social media pages have to be geared towards the public to best deliver our messaging around our core values and at home serves. But we've seen the need to create content that specifically speaks to our cocktail making craft bartenders. The Defiant Irish Spirits Instagram page allows us to do just that. We can share videos and photos that are tailor made to inspire and educate bartenders about our six exemplary spirits and how they can be best enjoyed. Each of the teams behind the brands, brings with them a different set of skills and expertise. Defiant Irish Spirits allows us to utilise each other's trade and industry knowledge in order to be more than the sum of our part.”

 

Cork Chinese food chain Noodlee announce €3m investment with up to 200 new jobs

press release

Cork Chinese food chain Noodlee announce €3m investment with up to 200 new jobs

Pictured at their flagship premises on Western Road is Noodlee owner Song Ye with Noodlee operations manager Sunny Islam. 

 

Authentic Chinese street food to take Leeside by storm with 15 store openings in 2023 

 

Popular local Chinese street food restaurant Noodlee has announced a €3m investment across Cork city and county as they are set to open 15 new stores of chain in the coming months, resulting in the creation of up to 200 jobs.

 

The major investment in Cork’s food and hospitality industry is part of a significant expansion by the brand, who hope to bring their authentic Chinese-style cooking and recipes to a broader Cork audience.

 

The decision to expand the brand further afield comes following the initial success of two of their stores – one located in Avenue De Rennes in Mahon, and the flagship store next to UCC on Western Road.

Three additional stores in Carrigaline, Fermoy and Mallow will open in the coming weeks.

 

Not to be confused as a noodle bar – Noodlee offers an extensive array of Chinese dishes that have been slightly modified to appeal to Irish and European taste pallets, with extensive vegan and vegetarian options available. They are also currently the only Chinese restaurant who offers fresh to order noodles.

 

Popular options currently include their famous authentic braised beef noodles and pulled beef noodles which are both served with their own special recipe house broth.

 

Each Noodlee recipe has been created and developed by Chinese chefs and aim to provide a healthy, nutritious, affordable alternative option to the conventional Chinese takeaway options and other fast food outlets in Ireland.

 

The restaurant’s concept was developed by owner Song Ye. Mr Ye is well known in Cork as a long-standing and highly respected restaurant owner – he is also behind the hugely popular Fudi and more restaurants in both Douglas and Blackpool.

 

Explaining the concept and ethos of Noodlee, he says:

 

“Noodlee in Chinese culture means Chinese street food and that’s exactly what we are pioneering in all of our Cork restaurants. We believe this is the future for Asian and Chinese cuisine – both in Ireland and internationally.  People have become increasingly more health conscious in recent years and Noodlee represents a healthier and affordable nutritious option for takeaway food.

“We have a long tradition of offering our customers affordable, tasty and high-quality food through Fudi and More and our existing Noodlee stores and that will continue,” he added.

 

“We will continue to maintain our highest standards of food and hospitality excellence and continue working closely with our Irish producers and suppliers for our high-quality poultry and meats,

“We’re very proud of this brand and we are excited to expand further and bring it to more local communities across Cork. Our goal was to create Chinese food that was “as close as it gets” to the real thing and our feedback from our Asian customers is that it is 95% there,

 

“We’re very excited to bring our latest stores to Carrigaline, Mallow and Fermoy this month and we’re currently recruiting for staff across our existing stores, you can apply by contacting info@noodlee.ie ), Mr Le concluded.

 

In addition to providing investment and employment opportunities across all of their Cork stores, both Noodlee and Fudi and more offer training opportunities for young Irish chefs.

 

Due to staff shortages in the hospitality industry, and a lack of availability of chefs familiar with cooking Chinese dishes, Song admitted it was difficult to find staff to make their dishes but says they  wanted to support the local economy in Cork by embracing the challenge of hiring staff with no experience and investing time to train them in the Noodlee way.

 

Song began hiring Irish chefs – specifically with the intention of training them to create their own authentic Chinese dishes. This is a policy he has successfully implemented, with Irish staff across all restaurants now skilled in recreating Asian dishes.

 

It is expected that Noodlee restaurants will open in Douglas, Ballincollig and Middleton shortly after their newest stores open, followed by an additional three stores in Blackpool, Mayfield and Cobh, with discussions continuing for other locations.

 

Mr Ye says that the long-term goal for the brand is to become an international franchise – with one Noodlee restaurant already in the UK, located in Nottingham.

 

For further information on applying for a job at Noodlee, visit info@noodlee.ie download the “myNoodlee” app to view their full range of Chinese dishes.

Wicklow. Two days in the Garden of Ireland May 2023

Wicklow.

Two days in the Garden of Ireland May 2023

Glendalough. Round Tower and hotel

During a fairly busy 2-day trip to Wicklow, Ireland’s Garden County, we found the perfect spot to relax for a spell on the afternoon of the second day. It was at the well-placed Glendalough Hotel which has an outdoor spot by the river. Sat back there and enjoyed the chat while drinking nothing strong but bottles of sparkling water from Galway, watching the visitors come and go to Glendalough.

We had just visited the famous round tower nearby but, having already done our quota of walking for the day, didn't stroll around either of the two lakes on this occasion. Next time!

Wicklow Wolf's Elevation Ale in Lynam's

This latest trip to Wicklow had begun with a lovely visit to the excellent Wicklow Wolf Brewery in Newtownmountkennedy. You can read all about it, including its impressive sustainability programme and our chat with CEO Quincey Fennelly, here.

On our way to our room for the night, we remembered that breakfast wasn't included so we made a call to the Roundwood Food Store in the middle of what is claimed to be Ireland's highest village. It is a casual café with good food and coffee, by most accounts. It is also a deli and here we picked up a few bits and pieces for the following morning. They also sell wine and I noticed some local beer (Farringtons) on the shelves as well.

Seed Restaurant at Avondale Forest Park

On then to Laragh where we checked into our self-contained little house in a purpose-built terrace of similar accommodation collectively called Heather House. We had stayed here previously but then they had a breakfast arrangement with their neighbours the Wicklow Heather  Restaurant who now have new owners and the arrangement no longer holds. Read our separate post on Heather House here. 

Unable to get a table, because of a sold-out event at the Wicklow Heather, we strolled over to Lynam’s Bar & Hotel for dinner. Excellent service here from two hard-working and busy ladies. The food itself was adequate and the highlight was probably the Elevation Ale, the best-selling beer by Wicklow Wolf. That was on draught as was the same company’s Tundra Tropical IPA.

Tree Top Walk, Avondale. Every so often, there is a side attraction.
Here, on the left, you try and balance yourself on a thick rope

We left Heather House in the morning and headed for a highlight of our break: the relatively new Treetop Walk and Viewing Tower at Avondale Forest Park. Well worth the trip and you can read about it and see some spectacular photos here.

Viewing tower, from outside.

You could spend the day here. Avondale House was the home of Charles Stuart Parnell and guided tours are available. The estate has a huge amount of trees, some of them very large indeed and there are a number of walks on the grounds, beginning with relatively easy ones around the 3km distance. And sustenance is available at the new and impressive Seed restaurant that can cater for up to 250 people.

After our treetop walk and stroll to the top of the tower (both by the way are wheelchair and buggy accessible) and our ground-level walk (we took the Cairn route), we enjoyed a snack in the restaurant. And it was after that that we found our way to Glendalough.

It was a great day weatherwise and the sun was still strong as we checked in at the Woodenbridge Hotel; there has been a hospitality licence at the venue since 1608. Very friendly staff here and the food was really good. They didn't have Wicklow Wolf on draught but they had three taps pouring beers from the Wicklow Brewery (based at Redcross) and their Hopknut Irish Pale Ale soon became our favourite here.

Before dinner, we had taken a short walk over the bridge and it was there that we found the World War 1 memorial. Down by the river, a series of upright slabs recall the names of the 1,224 Wicklow people that died during the war, including no less than twenty-seven victims killed in a single incident on September 21 1917 in an explosion at the Kynoch Munitions factory in Arklow. 

WW1 Memorial at Woodenbridge

The 1224, including nine women, is a surprisingly high proportion for such a small county. They are remembered here with dignity in a beautiful spot by the River Aughrim. That was a sobering walk for us.

Our trip to Wicklow was book-ended by two fine lunches in small cafés. On the way up, via Dungarvan and Waterford, we were well fed by The Hungry Bear in Gorey (Co. Wexford) and on the way home, by Eamon and Ró in Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford. More on those pleasant stops here. 

Also on this trip to Wicklow:

Avondale's Beyond the Trees. Wicklow's Amazing New Attraction.

Two excellent pit-stops in the southeast for you. Hungry Bear in Gorey and Eamo & Ró at Kilmacthomas.

Places to stay in Wicklow: Woodenbridge and Heatherhouse.

Visiting Wicklow Wolf Brewery.

Wicklow. Two days in the Garden of Ireland May 2023

Take A Stroll In Blarney Castle Gardens

Take A Stroll In 

Blarney Castle Gardens

pics taken 24.05.2023

A Colourful Mid-May In 

Blarney Castle Gardens

pics taken 16.05.2023

This single tile is on the floor of the little building in the photos above

This pergola will soon be covered in roses (they won't last very long though)

Staying in Wicklow? Ireland’s oldest hotel at Woodenbridge. Or a well-situated one-room pad in Laragh.

Staying in Wicklow? 

Ireland’s oldest hotel at Woodenbridge.  

Or a well-situated one-room pad in Laragh.

Ireland’s oldest hotel? Not perhaps the Woodenbridge Hotel itself though there has been a hospitality licence (coach-house) here since 1608.

Now the family run two establishments. The hotel itself, on a rise over the bridge, and across the road and down by the river is the more modern, mostly summertime, facility called The Lodge, 29 rooms in the hotel and 40 in the lodge.

We were in the hotel and it does look pretty and oldish, but everything worked well here right up to and including the Wifi and they have 6 EV charging points. They also offer golf packages and one course was visible from our window.

Goats Cheese Salad

Took a short walk around after arrival and then paid a visit to the bar and was very happy to see that they had no less than three taps offering beer by the local Wicklow Brewery. Their Hopknut was our favourite for the night. Dinner was excellent also and music followed. Breakfast was buffet style.

Hake

What was striking here was how friendly and chatty everyone was, from the first bar person to the final goodbye at the reception, not just friendly but informative and efficient too. A lovely spot, if a bit expensive accommodations-wise. 

Strawberry Cheesecake

Could have taken a less expensive room over the bar but that came with a noise warning! Perhaps we should have taken that room and spent some of the savings on another pint or two and made some noise ourselves. Wise after the event!

Lamb shank

We spent one night at the Heatherhouse in Laragh. It was our second visit here and there have been changes. On the first occasion, there was a B&B deal where you could have your breakfast at the nearby Wicklow Heather. 

The Bistro, one of the dining options at Woodenbridge

The restaurant now has new owners and that arrangement no longer stands though Heatherhouse will still point you in that direction for both dinner and breakfast. Due to a large event, the restaurant was fully booked out and we didn’t get there this time but two people, both involved in hospitality, told us that the food there is still excellent and they also sell Wicklow Wolf beers!

The Heatherhouse accommodation units are excellent. You have your own “house” in a small terrace. Our “room” was rather large, neatly divided into a sitting area with sofa and TV; a corner with sink, fridge, kettle and espresso machine; and two sleeping semi-separate sections (one double, one single). 

Sitting area at Heatherhouse.

And, we also had a spacious bathroom with a toilet, sink, plus a separate bath and shower. Very comfortable all round. Everything is well maintained and in good working order (lights, heating, TV, WiFi). If you’re heading to Wicklow, the Heatherhouse, so close to beautiful Glendalough, is recommended. We paid one hundred and ten euro for the room.

Also on this trip to Wicklow:

Avondale's Beyond the Trees. Wicklow's Amazing New Attraction.

Two excellent pit-stops in the southeast for you. Hungry Bear in Gorey and Eamo & Ró at Kilmacthomas.

Places to stay in Wicklow: Woodenbridge and Heatherhouse.

Visiting Wicklow Wolf Brewery.

Wicklow. Two days in the Garden of Ireland May 2023

Previous trip: Powerscourt Hotel, Tulfarris

Magnificent gardens at Powerscourt

On a previous trip, with an (enhanced!) budget, we stayed at the Powerscourt Hotel. The estate, there is also a waterfall nearby, is just an hour or so from Dublin and now, with the improved motorways, it is just two and a half from Cork. Use M8, M7, M50, and M11 (to Wexford) and that will leave you with just a few miles of country road to reach your destination.

The relatively newly built Powerscourt Distillery is just a few hundred yards away and you can park outside the door. The tour is excellent and highly recommended. They have a café there also.

Entry to the gardens is free to hotel guests. Our room here was fabulous; indeed, the hotel itself is magnificent, and the lobby is imposing.

The main restaurant is the Sika and you can enjoy dinner and breakfast here with great views out towards the Sugar Loaf mountain.

Interested in golf? Then the Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort is worth a look. It is set against the spectacular backdrop of the Blessington Lakes and Wicklow Mountains. Stayed there a couple of years back and enjoyed the dinner (and the bar afterwards).  Aside from regular hotel accommodation, you can share a self-catering lodge or even hire the Manor House itself.

Breakfast view at Tulfarris

The dining room overlooks the spectacular golf course. Set across three peninsulas around the lake shores, the stunning 18-hole championship course is a golfer’s paradise and is definitely an exhilarating test for both amateur and pro golfers. 

The resort covers 220 acres and includes a luxury 4-star hotel, 18-hole championship golf course, clubhouse, conference centre, banqueting suites, a restaurant and bar and self-catering holiday homes. The 18th-century Manor House sits at the heart of the resort and has the classic design and elegant proportions of that time.