Da Tang — The Noodle House

Thu, Oct 08, 2009

The Noodle House is one of those Galway city eateries that seem to have built up a very, very, loyal set of customers, and many ex college students make it their first port of call when returning to Galway for a visit. If you are one of those who has not eaten there or indeed are wondering if it only serves noodles, I think I can whet your appetite and entice you to visit.

It was opened in 1997 by a native of Lanzhou in north-central China. This is the region where noodles are the staple diet, as opposed to rice, which most of us associate with China. There are all types of noodles on offer — soft noodles, stir fried noodles, noodles in soup, and noodles in sauce, and interestingly for those with a wheat allergy, they serve a potato noodle which I sampled and is delicious. It is a clear noodle and works great in the hot pot dish or any soup dish. However, do not be under the impression that everything is noodle based. Du Han Tuo, proprietor and chef, cooks all kinds of Chinese dishes (without any MSG) like roast duck, fresh tofu, spare ribs, bean curd, lamb kebabs, dumplings, and the dish I want to write about, hot pot.

Da Tang — The Noodle House

Thu, Oct 08, 2009

The Noodle House is one of those Galway city eateries that seem to have built up a very, very, loyal set of customers, and many ex college students make it their first port of call when returning to Galway for a visit. If you are one of those who has not eaten there or indeed are wondering if it only serves noodles, I think I can whet your appetite and entice you to visit.

Plums

Thu, Oct 08, 2009

The food authority Waverly Root cites the plum as “one of the world’s most luscious fruits”. Indeed when juicy and ripe a fresh plum is a thing of culinary perfection. Plums are incredibly versatile and make the most stunning compotes which can be used as a base for tasty sauces, ice-creams, or accompaniments to both sweet and savoury foods. Duck roasted and served with plum sauce, plum compote with fresh vanilla ice-cream, or tangy plum compote served with a strong blue cheese — heaven.

There are a great many varieties of plum available and the colours of the plum can be as stunning as the taste of the fruit, ranging from deep blue through to bright purple and the all the way to vibrant yellow. Plums are closely related to cherries, so close in fact that a cherry could almost be categorised as a small plum.

The Western Hotel celebrates the opening of TK Maxx

Thu, Oct 08, 2009

The Western bar and restaurant, located next to the new TK Maxx store, will celebrate the shop's opening today (Thursday) by offering, for one week only, a special 10 per cent discount on lunches and dinners to all customers upon presentation of a TK Maxx store receipt.

Top tips to boost your children’s immunity

Thu, Oct 08, 2009

The children are back to school and parents and pupils are now settled into the routine of early mornings, school runs, lunches and homework.

Tunisia

Thu, Oct 08, 2009

At this time of year, many of you are planning your winter sun break and are wondering what options are open to you. In the travel trade, our winter sun seasons operates from November/December to the end of April and the short haul sun destinations on offer include Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Egypt, and Tunisia.

Home decorating weekend project

Thu, Oct 08, 2009

Here are some decorating project ideas that you can complete in a weekend or less. These are also the types of changes you could make in an apartment or house without risking too much.

Cases Wine Christmas fair

Thu, Oct 08, 2009

The Cases Wine Christmas Wine Fair will take place on Thursday November 5 at Cases Wine Warehouse on the Tuam Road. More than 120 wines from 20 importers will be available for tasting on the night, with the all proceeds going to the National Breast Cancer Research Institute. There will also be cheeses to sample from Seamus Sheridan and plenty of live music and craic. Last year’s event was a sell-out, raising more than €2,000 for Enable Ireland, and this year Peter Boland of Cases hopes to better that figure. Tickets for the fair cost €20 and the evening runs from 6.30pm to 10pm. For more details contact Cases at (091) 764 701, e-mail [email protected]

Winter coats for under €100

Thu, Oct 01, 2009

Winter coats are a must-have in every woman’s wardrobe. Now is the time to shop for a coat that will see you right through autumn and winter. I have picked out three winter warming coats for under €100.

Winter coats for under €100

Thu, Oct 01, 2009

Winter coats are a must-have in every woman’s wardrobe. Now is the time to shop for a coat that will see you right through autumn and winter. I have picked out three winter warming coats for under €100.

Exciting news for brides to be

Thu, Oct 01, 2009

Just arrived at Galway’s leading designer bridal shop are some stunning gowns from the 2010 collection from Novia D’Art and Fara Sposa of Barcelona. Brides will be spoiled for choice with this incredible collection. Sisters Maria and Therese Raich are the inspired designers behind the brand. They use the most delicate of fabrics, especially silks and laces. Last year one of Spain’s princesses wore a wedding gown made from Guipure lace. This is an intricate and delicate lace favoured by the Spanish royalty. Two of the gowns from the Novia D’Art collection feature this beautiful lace.

The Pagodas Temple — the one stop shop for martial arts in Galway

Thu, Oct 01, 2009

The Pagodas Temple was started in 2005 by Chris Hickey, a fourth Dan black belt, the highest graded judo black belt in the west of Ireland. Mr Hickey always wanted to have his own dojo where he could pass his skill and knowledge on to others with a passion for the martial arts. This is due largely to the training he received in the Galway Judo Club, the support of his many friends, and his long time mentor Sensei John Creaven.

La Trattoria, Quay Street

Thu, Oct 01, 2009

The Magnetti family was one of the first to set up an Italian restaurant in Galway, and that was the original la Trattoria in Cross Street in 1989. They moved to their current location in Quay Street in 1994 where, if I remember correctly, Craughwell Electric started out. In fact they had a 20 year anniversary party earlier this year and everything on the menu was priced at 1989 prices! It is now run by the second generation of the Magnetti family and the emphasis is on authenticity. All the pastas and all the sauces are made by themselves and it shows through in the taste.

The Fisherman come to Galway Shopping Centre

Thu, Oct 01, 2009

A new fish shop has just opened in the Galway Shopping Centre. Aptly name The Fisherman, the store is located beside the main entrance to the centre.

Sweet potato

Thu, Oct 01, 2009

The sweet potato, or boniato, is in fact not a potato at all, but a member of the morning glory family. This versatile vegetable has a great many uses and makes a refreshing change from the traditional spud. The sweet potato is ideal for roasting, making soups, for purees, and many more culinary uses. Additionally the bright orange colour of the vegetable tells us that the sweet potato is also a good source of carotene and vitamin A. Additionally this vegetable is regarded as the most important tropical root crop in the world. Introduced into Africa, possibly by slave traders, the sweet potato has since its introduction steadily replaced the true yam in Africa as a major source of carbohydrate.

Create a relaxing bedroom space

Thu, Oct 01, 2009

We sleep over a third of our lives, so not surprisingly the bedroom is an important space. Bedrooms are often used for storage space. Your bedroom design can assist you in having a good night's rest and in laying the foundation for a more organised life.

Face facts

Thu, Oct 01, 2009

A new product which claims to deactivate ageing and rejuvenate the skin’s appearance and function in four weeks, is now available at University Late Night Pharmacy (opposite University Hospital Galway.)

Dress to suit your skin

Thu, Oct 01, 2009

An Irish online eco store has come up with a new range of eczema friendly nightwear which will be welcome news to parents of children with the condition as well as adult sufferers.

Banish crow’s feet

Thu, Oct 01, 2009

A new crow’s feet corrector promises to improve fine lines and wrinkles around the eye in just one week.

Fat fighting, flexibility, and a free mind

Thu, Sep 24, 2009

An inoperable spinal condition led Conor Hogan to seek an alternative route towards helping to heal his chronic pain and ailments. Having played sports as a youngster, he continually suffered extreme pain. When he found himself paying tens of thousands on various therapies, it most definitely was time for a change. That change came in the form of yoga.

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