Authors to visit Galway tomorrow to celebrate Irish cheese

Thu, Oct 27, 2011

Enthusiastic foodies Glynn Anderson and John McLaughlin have written the definitive guide to the farmhouse cheeses of Ireland, a celebration of cheese and cheesemakers. During Bord Bia's Farmhouse Cheese and Craft Beer Weekend, taking place from today (Thursday) to Monday, they will be out and about, taking part in events and signing copies of their very tasty book. Tomorrow (Friday) from 4.30pm they will be in the Oslo Bar and Microbrewery in Upper Salthill.

Farmhouse Cheeses of Ireland – A Celebration (The Collins Press, price €24.99) is the first book to feature every locally produced farmhouse cheese in Ireland. It contains detailed descriptions of each cheese and the cheesemakers along with extra information on cheesemaking and the Irish cheese industry. There are fantastic photographs throughout to accompany the text.

Eat launches at Massimo

Thu, Oct 13, 2011

Eat, the new gastropub experience, will launch this week at Massimo on William Street.

Lunch at the Clarion Hotel, good deals at Mama Bia, Gerry Galvin the author, and Cases Christmas wine fair

Thu, Oct 13, 2011

The Clarion Hotel
During the week I called in to the Clarion Hotel (previously Days Hotel/Galway Ryan) for a spot of lunch. It was a very wet day so one of the things that appealed to me was being able to park at the front door, and of course no parking charges. Ever since the wall and railings were erected I always feel it is slightly ‘out of sight, out of mind’, hence I had never had lunch there before. It is a very convenient place to meet and have a coffee or lunch as there is a lot of space between tables to make it private and comfortable.

Things to celebrate about Irish food

Thu, Sep 29, 2011

It would have been hard to live anywhere in Ireland this past week and not know that the National Ploughing Championships were taking place in Athy, Co Kildare. Several radio stations even moved their entire broadcasting base to Athy for the three days. Going to the ploughing is a bit like going to the oyster festival for many people, ie, the main attraction is no longer the centre of attention. Many people I met there this week had absolutely no intention of looking at any ploughing; most were there for a ‘day out’ with no agenda.

The big headline story of the ploughing was that our President, Mary McAleese, stated that farming is the new champion of our economy, bringing the whole food production section firmly centre stage, and why not? We do not have to attract any foreign investors and they do not shut shop and move to India, for example. So why have we not realised this before? Perhaps it was that our psyche said to us that food is something you eat to stay alive, not something to celebrate. But all this is changing, and changing rapidly. One caller to the radio station, Newstalk, at the ploughing said that he was at the launch of a new Ferrari in Italy (wow, someone out there still has loads of loot), and the gala dinner for 600 guests had Irish beef as the main course.

Corry’s Food Hall and Sabor Café, Loughrea

Thu, Sep 29, 2011

I was delighted to see that Corry’s Food Hall and Sabor Café in Loughrea is a finalist in the Retail Excellence Awards Ireland for 2011. It was nominated in Best Medium Size Store and Best Overall Store categories and it is the only remaining entry from Connacht. This is a very big nationwide contest and it is a fair achievement to get to be the county winner, however to be the last remaining entrant from the entire region is a testament to their hard work. If you have ever been in the store you will not be surprised at this, if you have not then you really should see it. So best of luck to Nigel, Declan, and all the team when the winners will be announced on November 5.

Fifty Mile Feast for Galway Simon Community

Thu, Sep 29, 2011

On Saturday October 8 at the old Columban Hall on Sea Road there will be a seven-course banquet with all proceeds going to the Galway Simon Community. Seven of our top chefs will be using the very best artisan produce from within 50-miles radius of Galway to design a dinner to remember. There will be wines paired with each course to ensure you have a great night. Some of the names involved will be well known to you, Jessica Murphy from Kai, JP McMahon from Cava, Seamus Sheridan from Sheridan’s cheesemongers, Jamie Peaker from Builin Blasta, Sorcha Molloy from Herons Rest, Paolo Burnato and Perluigi Suzana from Ard Bia, Peter Boland from Cases Wines, and Enrico Fantasia. All the produce is being donated by the various local producers. Tickets are €95 each and available from Kai and Ard Bia, or contact (085) 2388522 or www.galwaysimon.ie

Capone’s restaurant, Kingston Road

Thu, Sep 22, 2011

I have passed by Capone’s restaurant many times since it opened and often thought that I should call in for a coffee or a bite to eat, however because I assumed the only parking area was across the road I kept on going. Nothing could be further from the truth; there is a car park at the rear and an underground car park. This is accessed from the Knocknacarra Cross end of the set of shops. In fact you can even park right at the back door and walk directly in as I did.

Interesting food courses in GMIT

Thu, Sep 22, 2011

Come Dine with Me Galway style: This is an eight-week course starting on Monday September 26. The aim of the course is to have you ready to prepare a three-course meal that will wow your friends, and do it all with a minimum of fuss and stress. The course is given by award winning chef Gerry Luskin. The cost is €225.

Wine course by Cases Wines

Thu, Sep 22, 2011

There is a series of one-off wine course in Cases Wine Warehouse on the Tuam Road every Thursday from 8pm to 10pm. Each one can be booked individually at a cost of €20, and you can sample about six to eight different wines on the night. To book call (091) 764701. www.cases.ie

Great value from prix fixe menu at Oscars

Thu, Sep 22, 2011

Oscars Seafood Bistro on Dominick Street has introduced a new prix fixe menu. This is a popular concept in continental Europe, and in particular France, and is a fantastic way to deliver exceptional value without compromising on quality in any way.

Capone’s restaurant, Kingston Road

Thu, Sep 22, 2011

I have passed by Capone’s restaurant many times since it opened and often thought that I should call in for a coffee or a bite to eat, however because I assumed the only parking area was across the road I kept on going. Nothing could be further from the truth; there is a car park at the rear and an underground car park. This is accessed from the Knocknacarra Cross end of the set of shops. In fact you can even park right at the back door and walk directly in as I did.

Interesting food courses in GMIT

Thu, Sep 22, 2011

Come Dine with Me Galway style: This is an eight-week course starting on Monday September 26. The aim of the course is to have you ready to prepare a three-course meal that will wow your friends, and do it all with a minimum of fuss and stress. The course is given by award winning chef Gerry Luskin. The cost is €225.

Great value from prix fixe menu at Oscars

Thu, Sep 22, 2011

Oscars Seafood Bistro on Dominick Street has introduced a new prix fixe menu. This is a popular concept in continental Europe, and in particular France, and is a fantastic way to deliver exceptional value without compromising on quality in any way.

A simple tapas type starter to share is served and then followed by a choice of three main courses — local seafood, organic vegetarian, and a full size Irish Hereford Society steak for just €15. It is possible to maintain the value by keeping the menu simple which allows for a saving to be made on the general overheads, but not on the food quality.

The Ardilaun — best chowder in the west

Thu, Sep 15, 2011

I was pleasantly surprised the other day when I called into The Blazers Bistro in The Ardilaun hotel. I normally think of many hotel bistros as serving food that has been cooked since early morning with the sole objective of profit without worrying about the quality. This is not always the case, but very often is.

Lobster time and Irish peanut butter tasting at The White Gables, Moycullen

Thu, Sep 15, 2011

If you are partial to a lobster main course and shrink away from ordering it because of the prohibitive price, you might want to check out the September offer at the White Gables. The White Gables is repeating a deal that it had last year, from now to the end of September 2011 it is offering a lobster main course, poached or grilled, for €25, available every night and perfect for a special treat.

Deal from Brendan Loughnane butcher

Thu, Sep 15, 2011

Brendan Loughnane master butcher on the Headford Road is offering a great five day meal deal. It is pretty hard to beat this for value at €20. You can buy enough meat/chicken to feed a family of five/six for five days. That works out at about 70 cents per person per meal. Add some Irish potatoes, a veg or two, and the result will feed and nourish the family for a week.

Great reductions on all old stock at McMahon’s

Thu, Sep 15, 2011

McMahon’s on the Tuam Road is having a massive clearance sale across the branch with all old stock reduced to clear.

Prices have been reduced in doors, floors, and bathroom ware. With doors from €10 and bathroom suites from €99, there is a bargain for everyone.

Pallas Foods and a great value dinner menu in The Lady Gregory Hotel

Thu, Sep 08, 2011

I am sure many of you have seen the trucks with ‘Pallas Foods’ on the side, and if you pass the cold storage depot in Oranmore any weekend you will see 10 or 20 of them all parked together with the back doors wide open. It has more than 100 trucks on the road so that will give you some idea of how big it is.

Terrific terroir at Aniar

Thu, Aug 18, 2011

I think many of us could take a lesson in optimism from restaurants; it is the one area of business which is continuing to expand in Galway. Just witness any premises that has closed during the past 12 to 15 months and every one of them has been reopened with a new owner and often with a complete change of style and food.

Paddy Burke’s restaurant and the Clarinbridge Oyster Festival

Thu, Aug 11, 2011

Along with its nearby neighbour, Moran’s of the Weir, I reckon Paddy Burke’s must be one of the best known landmark pubs in the country. I pass by the front door most days and there are always cars turning in to park, especially tourists who have heard the name or have been there previously. For myself it is the place of one of my earliest culinary memories. During the mid to late 1970s I was a regular diner there, that was when bar food had just moved from ‘hang sandwiches’ to toasted sandwiches (really posh) and to hot food. My absolute favourite dish back then was chicken cordon bleu and it was the most popular dish on their menu for many years. The luxury of it, breaded on the outside, ham on the inside, and a cheesy sauce oozed out as soon as it was cut. I am sure many readers will remember this dish too.

E-paper

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