On the Wine Shelf...

Thu, Apr 11, 2013

Velenosi Querciantica Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico 2011 (widely available, €16)

Made in Italy’s Marches, this is mostly Verdicchio (85 per cent) with the addition of smaller quantities of other unspecified varieties. On the nose, the fruit has a pleasant welcoming bouquet of steely green Granny Smith apples with hints of honey and a touch of spice. On the palate, the fruit mingles from apples to citrus, the acidity is mouth-watering as you would expect in Verdicchio, and there is a decent amount of lingering depth offering a fine classy finish. In essence, with a bit of heat in the air and a plate of mussels served in a dish with white wine and garlic, what more could you ask for?

Pub food, only better

Thu, Apr 04, 2013

The Kings’ Head and Malt House Restaurant have just joined one of the more exclusive food clubs in Ireland – Good Food Ireland. It is not an easy club to get into either - you have to jump through a fair amount of hoops before you get one of these coveted stickers for your front door. And they're in good company too, with Kai, Aniar and Renvyle House also on the GFI list.

Sunday lunches at Creole that offer delicious and distinctive dining

Thu, Apr 04, 2013

There is now fantastic opportunity to sample the delicious fare of one of the most exciting restaurants to open in Galway over the past year. Creole now opens for Sunday lunch, serving many of its evening dinner favourites and combining them with more traditional Sunday lunch incorporating the Creole signature taste. It offers a value and choice that will appeal to the most demanding of tastes, and with children’s dishes priced at €6.95 and main course retailing at €9.95, everyone’s palate is accommodated for.

Kinvara Farmers Market returns for new season

Thu, Mar 28, 2013

Kinvara Farmers Market has announced the reopening of a new vibrant season with the best food and craft around. The heart of picturesque Kinvara will once again host this joyful and popular weekly rendezvous.

Enjoy Sunday lunch at Kylemore Abbey

Thu, Mar 28, 2013

Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden in the heart of Connemara is the ideal destination for a day out with something for all the family to enjoy. Get outdoors and enjoy woodland walks or explore the Victorian gardens, all just an hour from Galway.

Sunday lunch at the g Hotel

Thu, Mar 28, 2013

I'm quite fond of the g. They have been nice to me over the years, giving me a lovely upgrade on my last significant birthday, a piece of chocolate cake complete with candle waiting for me in the room. The afternoon tea is a real treat, scones, little bites of desserts, finger sandwiches with tea or some girlie pink champagne, or a junior tea for an exceptionally good child.

The Book Shelf...

Thu, Mar 21, 2013

With the BBC’s Masterchef now a couple of weeks into its ninth series, it is not surprising that the cookery book with the similar name is not far behind in reaching the shelves. Filled to more than 400 pages it has everything for the starter cook who cannot wait to get stuck into making everything from simple sauces or basic side dishes to more adventurous creations such as drink party canapés or an elaborate pear and blackberry cake. While the book is more of an in-house production with a team or writers (rather than a recognised author), there are a number of chefy tips from regular Masterchef presenters John Torode and Gregg Wallace.

Kelly's Kitchen

Thu, Mar 21, 2013

There is a stereotypical gender divide in food. Man food is slabs of meat, scotch eggs, big fry-ups, and anything wrapped in bacon. Women prefer yoghurt, quiche, cupcakes, and chocolate, preferably not all on the same plate. Whatever the truth of these clichés, most menus and venues lean more into one camp than the other. Kelly's was always a man's place to my mind, with burgers, pints, and the football on the telly. But Kelly's bar is fond of change. It is fair, I think, to say that Kelly's has had more re-inventions than Kerry Katona. The latest change the team have made is a new menu that just might be the most gender neutral menu in town.

One of the best things about Kelly's is that the owner, Joan, is from the Grealish dynasty of publicans and restaurateurs in town. In a Grealish premises there is no such thing as bad service. They just do not stand for it. Whether you are being given half a lobster dinner or a little bowl of soup, it comes with the same friendly, efficient, and approachable manner. Service is their obsession.

On the Wine Shelf...

Thu, Mar 14, 2013

Burgáns Albariño 2011 (Widely Available, €17.99)

While its green and orange label and Celtic name give it an Irish feel for St Patrick’s Day, this is made by Bodegas Martín Códax from 100 per cent Albariño in the slopes that run down the middle of the Salnés Valley in the Rías Baixas area of ‘green Spain’.

The Book Shelf...

Thu, Mar 14, 2013

On the threshold of the St Patrick’s weekend and the celebration of all things Irish, Rachel Allen’s newish cookery book with 120 of her favourite family recipes is a timely addition to the culinary bookshelves.

Get ready for the second annual Galway Food Festival

Thu, Mar 14, 2013

The launch of the programme for the second Galway Food Festival took place on Monday March 11 upstairs at McCambridge’s. The lovely Máirín Uí Chomáin, in a particularly elegant outfit and a covetable pair of shiny, fire-engine-red shoes, did the honours beautifully. As an author, the chairperson of Irish Food Writers Guild, and a true Connemara woman, she was perfect for the job. JP McMahon, festival chairperson, also spoke at the launch, in particular speaking warmly of the late lamented Gerry Galvin, who had launched the festival last year. A man who will be sadly missed.

The festival is bigger and better this year, running for five days from Thursday March 28 to Monday April 1 during the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, and I for one am certainly looking forward to it. Celebrating Galway as a food destination, the festival this year aims to highlight the importance of food provenance, sustainability, and healthy eating. Many of the great and the good of the Galway food scene were present at the event. Chefs, producers, restaurateurs, food educators, and… me! One of the best things about the launch being in McCambridge’s was that the nibbles were very nice indeed with chef Heather O’Flaherty and her team working hard behind the scenes. A huge amount of work goes into organising the festival with the committee members and many others giving freely of their time and expertise to make it a success. With some 70 restaurants, food outlets, and producers participating at more than 70 individual events, it must at times have been like an exercise in herding cats.

The Book Shelf...

Thu, Mar 07, 2013

Following the huge success of The Great British Bake-off (a format TV3 hope to imitate soon with The Great Irish Bake-off), Mary Berry’s star continues to rise among a whole new generation who were not born the first time she was famous. And, not surprisingly, the cookery books continue to be churned out to meet this new demand.

The state of the nation

Thu, Mar 07, 2013

In France, there is a distinctive culture of French food that is undeniable, food made with pride, using exquisite ingredients and techniques. There are world renowned culinary schools and regional specialities. To not experience the food, is to not truly experience France. Produce is affordable and accessible. Food is part of French life in a natural way, a country with strong rural traditions and great respect for food from the farm.

A Cajun feast at Creole

Thu, Feb 28, 2013

Creole was an instant hit when it opened last summer. A long sunny evening in the terrace with a pile of ribs and a beer was time well misspent, and it has been popular ever since. Now, it's not really a place for vegetarians, there are only a few choices from quite a big menu. This is man food. In fact, when my current husband realised he could not join me at Creole, there was much gnashing of teeth. I brought The Bride instead.

On the Wine Shelf...

Thu, Feb 28, 2013

Atlantis 2011 (Independents, €14.99)
This is probably not the first bottle of wine that is likely to catch your eye. But if you are looking for something really different or unusual this is definitely worth considering. Made in the Santorini region of Greece (yes, Greece) from a whole bunch of grapes - Assyrtiko (90 per cent), Aidani (five per cent) and Athiro (five per cent) - that are by no means familiar, the nose has a mineral charm with a dash of lemon that is very inviting.

This is probably not the first bottle of wine that is likely to catch your eye. But if you are looking for something really different or unusual this is definitely worth considering. Made in the Santorini region of Greece (yes, Greece) from a whole bunch of grapes - Assyrtiko (90 per cent), Aidani (five per cent) and Athiro (five per cent) - that are by no means familiar, the nose has a mineral charm with a dash of lemon that is very inviting.

The Book Shelf...

Thu, Feb 28, 2013

Having just completed her 10th cookery book, food writer and stylist Michele Cranston turns her attention to her time at Marie Claire magazine – she was food editor there for five years – celebrating the last decade at that famous institution and monthly women's magazine that was first published in France, although it has obviously been published in a number of different languages throughout the world.

Forest Catering — the home of the roast

Thu, Feb 21, 2013

Forest Catering was created in 2003 by Paul Madden. It is based between Athenry and Oranmore. The company started small with the creativity to produce delicious, wholesome, food, and value for money, and grew to be a leading catering company in the west of Ireland.

Poppy Seed Cafe, Clarinbridge

Thu, Feb 21, 2013

Poppy Seed coffee house and restaurant opened in the heart of Clarinbridge in 2007. This cafe is a modern and spacious, light filled space along the banks of the Clarin river, set back from the hum of the very busy main road and with ample parking. It seems the sun can find its way into this room on even the dullest of days. With one wall opened into a Meadows & Byrne store, Poppy Seed provides a welcome break from the hard work of homemaking with its excellent homebaking, just the ticket to break up a busy day. Open seven days a week and with freshly baked breads and other treats every morning, Poppy Seed offers a good menu for breakfast including an array of its speciality handmade pastries and premium coffee. Lunch choices are both healthy and hearty with chicken pâté with brioche and plum compote, Galway Bay seafood crumble with salad and brown bread, gourmet sandwiches and salads, quiches, and quesadillas all on offer. In addition to all this fine fare, the retail space offers wines, handmade Irish chocolates and biscuits, plus an array of preserves, chutneys, and savoury treats. If you need a gift or a hamper Poppy Seed will make it up for you and wrap it prettily to boot.

Homemade treats at Le Petit Delice for sweet toothed Valentines

Thu, Jan 31, 2013

If you cannot decide what route to take for buying your loved one an ideal Valentine’s gift then why not go for simplicity at Le Petit Delice.

Salthill Traditional Fish and Chips opens second store in Galway

Thu, Jan 31, 2013

Salthill Traditional Fish and Chips has done it again, this time in Galway city. Its new store in Forster Street, close to the tourist office, has all the traditional fish and chip offerings people have come to love in Salthill.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.