The Westwood House Hotel and Kinvara Market

Thu, Jun 24, 2010

The Westwood House Hotel
It had been a long time since I dined at the Westwood House Hotel, and when I visited there lately I was reminded of the great meals and fine wines I had there many years ago when it was owned and run by Bernie Casey. I visited the main dining room called the Meridian Restaurant and browsed the menus. There is a value dining menu where for €22.50 you can have any two courses, or for €24.95, any three courses. Both offers include a free drink of choice for each diner in the bar (from Sunday to Thursday).

It had been a long time since I dined at the Westwood House Hotel, and when I visited there lately I was reminded of the great meals and fine wines I had there many years ago when it was owned and run by Bernie Casey. I visited the main dining room called the Meridian Restaurant and browsed the menus. There is a value dining menu where for €22.50 you can have any two courses, or for €24.95, any three courses. Both offers include a free drink of choice for each diner in the bar (from Sunday to Thursday).

Authentic Asian food and drink at the Asian Tea House

Thu, Jun 17, 2010

The Asian Tea House is a pan Asian restaurant centrally located on 15 Mary Street, Galway. I had heard several good things about the Asian Tea House over the past year from my eldest daughter, who loves the food there. The name for some reason did not lead me to expect the great variety and authenticity that is The Asian Tea House.

Builín Blasta Café, Spiddal

Thu, Jun 10, 2010

I met Jamie Peaker, owner and chef of Builín Blasta Café, at a tasting of his chutneys and salad dressings during the McCambridge’s food and wine tasting last Christmas. I loved his products and said I would call sometime to see his café in Spiddal. J-Me (as he spells his name) hails from New Zealand and made his way to Galway via two years in London working at that fantastic London restaurant The Ivy, then a stint in Africa visiting 20-plus countries and meeting his Galway partner Nina. The Ivy has an incredible name for producing uncomplicated food in the best way possible. It is so successful at this that some of the dishes on the menu have not been changed in over 26 years.

Get cooking...

Thu, Jun 10, 2010

The Nutrition and Health Foundation has teamed up with top chef Rozanne Stephens who has come up with quick and nutritious, budget friendly, recipes.

Kirby’s of Cross Street

Thu, May 20, 2010

While walking up Quay Street last Thursday at about 7.30pm I noticed that every restaurant has a cordoned off area outside with tables and some brave diners/smokers. It is such a pity that we cannot have warm balmy evenings to enjoy food outside as it really is a great way to eat and watch the world go by. Maybe our city fathers would consider putting a roof over the street and blowing in warm air? It is more or less wall to wall restaurants now in Quay Street with great value deals posted everywhere.

Celebrity chef Ken Hom to cook up an Oriental storm at Anthony Ryans Homestore

Thu, May 20, 2010

The original celebrity chef Ken Hom will visit Galway for the first time on Saturday when he visits Anthony Ryans Homestore to launch the new range of Tao Plus cookware. As part of the launch Ken Hom will be carrying out live oriental cookery demonstrations at 12 noon and 2pm, and will also be signing autographs. As part of the launch there will be great offers and promotions with up to 50 per cent off Ken Hom Cookware. In addition there will be an in-store competition to win free cookware.

Ken Hom’s successful culinary career began in 1974 when he first began teaching cookery lessons in the California Culinary Academy, a school for professional chefs in San Francisco. It has grown from strength to strength since, marked by a number of success milestones along the way including the production of a number of TV series commissioned by the BBC called Ken Hom’s Hot Wok. He has also launched best selling foolproof Chinese cookery books for aspiring chefs. Meet Ken Hom in Anthony Ryan’s Homestore on Saturday and see for yourself why he is the world’s best Oriental chef.

Lots to enjoy at Lottie’s Cakes & Slices

Thu, May 20, 2010

Cakes are an ideal opportunity to make celebrations even more special. Lottie's Cakes & Slices believes special occasions deserve special cakes.

The company caters for all celebrations including weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, christenings, Communions, and confirmations. All cakes are homemade to provide you with a cake that looks and tastes superb.

Great lunch bargains at the g Hotel

Thu, May 13, 2010

As some readers may have noticed, I am a fan of the g Hotel; I am not saying staff do everything better than everyone else, however they do a lot of things excellently. It still has the reputation for being expensive and indeed some items like the champagne afternoon tea are, but then again it is a special occasional treat and you pay for the ambience and service.

Great lunch bargains at the g Hotel

Thu, May 13, 2010

As some readers may have noticed, I am a fan of the g Hotel; I am not saying staff do everything better than everyone else, however they do a lot of things excellently. It still has the reputation for being expensive and indeed some items like the champagne afternoon tea are, but then again it is a special occasional treat and you pay for the ambience and service.

COPE Galway Community Catering

Thu, May 06, 2010

I recently visited the kitchen of a wonderful service called Community Catering from COPE Galway. This is the new name of what used to be the service known as ‘Meals on Wheels’. COPE Galway Community Catering provides daily nutritional support for Galway city's older people. While the service is primarily for older people it is not exclusively so. They also provide meals to anyone who, through disability or injury, is unable to prepare a hot meal for themselves.

Oscar’s bistro is ten years old

Thu, May 06, 2010

Oscars bistro is 10 years old this month, and to celebrate it has launched a free online cookbook which contains recipes and photographs of not only dishes from Oscar’s but also recipes and photographs using a wide range of the great foods of Galway. The book can be viewed at www.oscarsbistro.ie

KC Blake’s Pantry celebrates five years in Knocknacarra

Thu, May 06, 2010

KC Blake’s Pantry is celebrating five years in business in its Knocknacarra store this weekend. To mark the occasion, the company will be giving customers a weekend of champagne and wine tasting, free samples of some of its delicious products, and some great competitions, including €50 vouchers for five customers who can name the five most popular dishes from KC Blakes’ large range of luxury meals.

New York berry pancakes

Thu, May 06, 2010

This welcome change to cereals or toasts comes from Canderel. Canderel granules are a great way for you to dramatically cut your calorie intake while maintaining the delicious sweet taste you love. A teaspoon of Canderel granules contains only two calories compared to 20 calories in a teaspoon of sugar.

Chinese catering in your home and traditional dining in Oranmore

Thu, Apr 29, 2010

Last week, I was at the launch of a great idea by The Three Gorges Oriental Restaurant in Abbey Trinity, Tuam. Their idea is to bring authentic Chinese restaurant food to your home if you are having an event such as a 21st party or indeed any birthday, anniversary, confirmation, Communion, a wedding with a difference, or perhaps the afters of a wedding party. Traditionally there have been other options available such as cold meat platters, cold fish platters, beef stroganoff, chicken curry, and I am sure most readers have had these types of dishes at many functions. The possibility of having your favourite Chinese food at an event will, I believe, appeal to many.

Rolling on the river with Corrib Princess and Cava Outside Catering

Thu, Apr 29, 2010

The Corrib Princess is sailing in a new direction, opening each Wednesday evening to pleasure-seekers with a penchant for fine food and wine.

Congratulations to McGrath’s butchers, Mervue

Thu, Apr 22, 2010

Late last year McGrath butchers in Plunkett Avenue, Mervue was destroyed by fire and as it was near Christmas they knuckled down to get it refurbished and ready for the big Christmas trade, a good plan you might say. However all the good work was destroyed when another fire broke out and gutted the shop once more.

Bella Roma — a welcome addition to Galway’s dining options

Thu, Apr 22, 2010

Co-owned by Rome native Sandro Perna and the familiar Richy Gorman, Bella Roma presents Italian cuisine in grand style with a great atmosphere and warm presence.

The menu boasts a wide selection of regional Italian cuisine with rustic accents under the direction of chef Giulio Delfino.

Fine food in the city centre

Thu, Apr 15, 2010

For a place that I had not heard many reports about I was surprised to see Sam Baileys full of customers at about 11.30 one morning, happily munching away on some very tasty looking morsels.

Bella Roma — a welcome addition to Galway’s dining options

Thu, Apr 15, 2010

Co-owned by Rome native Sandro Perna and the familiar Richy Gorman, Bella Roma in Forster Court, presents Italian cuisine in grand style with a great atmosphere and warm presence.

Kinvara Farmers’ Market returns

Thu, Apr 08, 2010

Kinvara Farmers’ Market will reopen tomorrow (Friday) from 10am to 2pm in Johnston’s Garden, Main Street.

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