Deadline fast approaching for entry to Blas na hEireann

Thu, Jul 26, 2012

The deadline for producers to enter the annual Blas na hEireann, National Irish Food Awards, is fast approaching. These awards, the largest of their kind in Ireland, recognise Irish producers for the quality of their produce.

Exciting new menu at the Cellar

Thu, Jul 26, 2012

This week sees the launch of the Cellar Bar and Restaurant’s new food menu, adding even more variety to the extensive range already available at this busy city centre venue.

Brasserie on the Corner

Thu, Jul 26, 2012

Here in the middle of the summer that did not happen, it may seem promises do not count for anything any more. Garden trampoline accidents have now been replaced in the A&E by advanced cases of pneumonia and chronic trenchfoot as the leading summer time ailments (I made that up, but it could be true, couldn’t it?). So if a newly opened restaurant promises “quality steak, seafood, wine, cocktails — and so much more” should we believe it?

On the ground

Thu, Jul 26, 2012

Wines Direct this weekend has Château de Gaudou’s winemaker Fabrice Durou displaying on Saturday between 2-6pm. Château de Gaudou is between Bordeaux and Toulouse and makes wines from Malbec, a grape closely associated with the region around Cahors. Wines worth stopping by to taste include Gaudou Exception Malbec (€9) and Château de Gaudou Cahors (€10.50).

On the cookery book shelf

Thu, Jul 26, 2012

Wahaca
Mexican Food At Home

A History of Food in 100 Recipes

Thu, Jul 05, 2012

William Sitwell
Collins

Wake up and smell the coffee?

Thu, Jul 05, 2012

Last Thursday I was invited to attend a tasting of the renowned Kopi Luwak coffee at Mr Waffle, located on Scholars Walk, Newcastle. For those unfamiliar with Kopi Luwak, it is one of the world's most rare and expensive coffees, at almost €50 per cup. Not to put too fine a point on it, it is made from the beans of coffee berries which have been eaten by the Asian palm civet. Yes indeed folks, this unique coffee has the dubious distinction of being consumed before the customer has even taken a sip. I will take mine with milk, sugar, and a good dose of scepticism.

Designer fabrics clearance at La Maison Chic

Thu, Jul 05, 2012

La Maison Chic is offering its customers a one-off opportunity with all fabrics on rolls priced to clear. Fabrics are down from €55 per metre to €9.99 per metre. The selection includes some Designers Guild, Casamance, and Au Maison fabrics.

Colourfence — the perfect replacement for frost damaged hedges or broken fencing

Thu, Jul 05, 2012

Colourfence has a permanent no maintenance solution to all your fencing problems.

Colourfence is the fastest growing fence company in Ireland in both the private and commercial sectors.

The Great Gourmet Challenge set to promote the wonders of the west

Thu, May 24, 2012

Recently referred to as “one of the country’s most exciting chefs” by Taste of Ireland, Jonathan Keane, head chef at Co Mayo’s boutique hotel, Lisloughrey Lodge, has overhauled the entire menu and is setting himself up for a challenge to showcase the wonders of the west.

Delicious authentic Indian cuisine in Kashmir

Thu, May 24, 2012

Galway has always been known for its diversity — a town of exotic sailors and Connemara tribes, this medieval city has been a melting pot for as long as it has existed. We have well established Chinese and Thai restaurants, and more recently some terrific Japanese ones. For fans of Indian food, however, Kashmir has been offering consistently delicious examples of this varied cuisine to Galway diners for some time now. Indian food is the 'Marmite' of global cuisines — it evokes a love or hate attitude that other ethnic traditions just do not get. There is often an excess of heat over flavour that has alienated many a diner. Not so at Kashmir.

Artisan Restaurant welcomes two new appointments and launches new summer menu

Thu, May 24, 2012

Winner of the Best Restaurant in Galway at The Restaurant Association Best in Ireland Awards, Artisan has welcomed two new additions to its award-winning team and launched a delicious new summer menu. Newly-appointed head chef Mark Campbell has put together a superb offering of culinary options guaranteed to suit all palettes.

Irish brown soda bread

Thu, May 24, 2012

This brown bread is light and fluffy. Since it has a moist consistency, it does not require kneading…just mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon.

On the wine shelf

Thu, May 24, 2012

Les Auzines Fleurs Blanches 2009 (Independents, €9.99)

On the cookery book shelf

Thu, May 24, 2012

Made at Home – Preserves
Dick and James Strawbridge

Dick and James Strawbridge

Discover delicious family dining at Flannery’s Hotel

Thu, May 17, 2012

A lot of the hotels in Galway can be divided into two types. The first kind was built in recent years, a result of the economic boom, largely run by professional management companies whose brief was to merely keep the business afloat and get 'heads in beds'. Flannery's is the other sort of Galway hotel. It is part of the landscape and the fabric of life in the city east area, providing employment and welcoming guests from Ireland and many parts of the world since it first opened in 1969.

On the cookery book shelf

Thu, May 17, 2012

What’s for Dinner?
Easy and Delicious Recipes for Everyday Cooking

Artisan now serving lunch, and sushi in the Sky at the Radisson

Thu, May 03, 2012

Over the last few years Artisan in Quay Street has gradually been building a name for great food, and now with the recent news that it is the regional winner of the Sunday Independent Life magazine Best Restaurant in Galway award the restaurant can be proud of its efforts. It was one of the first restaurants to do some serious pairing of wines with all the courses and I simply cannot understand why every restaurant does not do so. It must surely increase wine sales and it certainly makes it easier for the customers to decide.