Cava — authentic Spanish cuisine in Galway

Thu, Sep 17, 2009

My visit to Cava dissipated two preconceived ideas that I had about the menu. One, the idea that the tapas dishes would be small little nibbles similar to what you get at a bar counter in Spain and two, that the menu would be limited to the typical array of tapas that you might find on the Costa del Sol. Neither proved to be the case, the portions are quite large indeed, very often as big as a typical main course, eg, my cured roasted duck leg served with baby potatoes fried in duck fat was of a size that would satisfy most appetites, and the selection is absolutely spectacular. JP and his team seem to have found some of the very best tapas dishes from around the world and recreated them with 100 per cent authenticity. Suffice it to say that the tapas here are much better than anything I have been offered in the touristy parts of Spain. It is worth saying that my initial impression of the menu was that for tapas it seemed expensive, however, from the size of the portions and the inventive dishes I have to say the opposite is the case.

Doughnuts

Thu, Sep 17, 2009

There are few foods better suited to go along with a hot, fresh, cup of coffee than a doughnut. This fried pastry, when made fresh, is delicious, and if freshly cooked doughnuts sound like your kind of thing make sure you get down to the Saturday market in Galway city and seek out the doughnut stall, as they are truly delicious especially with a little ground cinnamon.

Allergy free living

Thu, Sep 17, 2009

Very often, when you have people living in your home with allergies there are several restrictions that can arise when it comes to your home interior. You will have to take extra care about the materials you use when you decorating your home. However, just because allergies exist in the home there is no reason for it to look barren and cold. You can still decorate your home to be attractive and inviting. Here are some tips that you can use when decorating an allergy free home.

Making the most of retirement

Thu, Sep 17, 2009

Retirement can be one of the most exciting times of your life. Free from the routine and pressures of work, you can now realise long held dreams, indulge favourite pastimes, travel to faraway places or just sit back and smell the roses in your own garden.

Individual Travel Club

Thu, Sep 17, 2009

Need a well earned holiday but your friends or family are working when you wish to travel? Perhaps they are not interested in travelling to the same destinations as you. Is there some place that you always dreamed of visiting, but you were apprehensive about travelling on your own? Do you want to get away for Christmas and New Year?

Special graduation dresses — tips to get your dress on a budget

Thu, Sep 10, 2009

Your graduation dress does not need to be expensive. There are plenty of beautiful and affordable dresses that would work perfectly for a you. To save money on your graduation attire follow these simple steps:

Fiori di Zucca, Dominick Street, GalwayFiori di Zucca, Dominick Street, Galway

Thu, Sep 10, 2009

Fiori di Zuca, which means pumpkin flowers, is a new venture from four women, three from Italy and one from Ireland. They describe it as a friendly and creative Italian café which is open seven days a week from 10am to 7pm. It is located at the end of Lower Dominick Street near the river and at the rear of the building that houses the new indoor market. Having chatted to Barbara and Roberta I think they may have just the right formula for the times we live in.

Designing a playroom

Thu, Sep 10, 2009

Children seem to have an unending stockpile of energy. One common problem this energy presents is finding a place to let them expend it. When the sun goes down or the weather gets nasty, children bring all that energy indoors. A playroom is the perfect place for them to unwind.

Problems with your child’s crèche

Thu, Sep 10, 2009

Problems with your child’s crèche
Research into the effects of childcare on children indicates that good quality childcare does not do any damage to young children provided they have a secure relationship with one or both of their parents. This good relationship will go some way to protecting them if they are in poor quality childcare, but nevertheless poor quality childcare can be emotionally and indeed physically damaging for young children. If a child is experiencing any difficulties in his relationship with his parents, poor quality childcare can be even more damaging to the child.

Results guaranteed at Energie Fitness

Thu, Sep 10, 2009

Energie Fitness for Women is the first full format women’s gym to open in Galway and has experienced phenomenon success since opening its doors in February 2008. Energie is known throughout the UK for developing exceptional fitness clubs built around a commitment to outstanding service and a unique six weeks results guaranteed programme. As a result of its phenomenal success across the water, with 78 clubs throughout the UK, Energie has spread to Ireland, opening its doors to clubs in Waterford, Wexford, Letterkenny, and Belfast, with many more to come throughout Ireland in the coming months. The Irish owned Energie franchise has set its sights on becoming the premiere name in fitness in Ireland.

Helping children eat healthily

Thu, Sep 10, 2009

Mention healthy eating and most children will groan. They equate “good” foods with boring, tasteless meals which lack the allure of their favourite treats.

Autumn’s must-have wardrobe items

Thu, Sep 03, 2009

The must-have key pieces for autumn are those that are versatile for work or play. They should be easily combined and should enhance your best features. Here is my top must-have list to update your autumn wardrobe.

West Restaurant at The 12 Hotel

Thu, Sep 03, 2009

I had been for dinner at The West in Barna shortly after it opened and as I have been noticing that the awards were starting to pile up — particularly for the wine list — I decided that another visit was in order. I chose what I thought would be a quiet Wednesday night (it turned out to be packed) and we were seated at a window table. As the views are not part of the attraction the emphasis is on lots of exotic lighting and more candles than would light a cathedral. The décor really suits an evening meal and with winter approaching it is a perfect ambience to detract from the misery outside.

As Fergus O’Halloran is one serious sommelier I let him match a white with the starter and a red with the main course. This turned out to be a wise choice as he chose a Riesling from Austria called Wohlmuth, and if any of you are non Riesling drinkers I think this may convert you, cost is €30 per bottle. I also noted that they serve Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc by the glass for €12 or €48 per bottle, now that is pretty unusual as it is such a hard wine to find and apparently it an extremely good seller. With our main course we had an excellent Cotes Du Rhone called Les Amis Chanteuses.

Ribs

Thu, Sep 03, 2009

Really good quality pork is one of the foods that can really make a passionate chef all misty eyed. Pork is a meat which is still great value and when the cuts which are often regarded as the cheap parts are used, a meal of outstanding value and taste can be had. For me the two best cuts of pork are the belly and ribs. Indeed these cuts require a little more work and attention than the more often used loin and legs but the little bit of effort is undoubtedly worth the work.

Pantrylicious

Thu, Sep 03, 2009

Always fairly sized rooms in period houses, pantries are usually forgotten in modern homes to make more room for a utility or a bigger kitchen; however a small separate pantry is essential to any kitchen design. A pantry is an ideal place to keep brushes, hoovers, wine cellars, tinned food, or even fruit and vegetable rather than trying to fit everything in a kitchen

‘Neff chef’ to visit Surreal Designs

Thu, Sep 03, 2009

Surreal Designs will host a Neff kitchen appliance demonstration evening at its newly renovated showroom in Briarhill Business Park at 7pm on Thursday September 17.

The Neff demo will showcase the very latest innovations in kitchen appliances and is a great opportunity for people who are buying new kitchens to decide on what appliances suit their personal requirements.

Banish BO without chemicals

Thu, Sep 03, 2009

A solid stone deodorant which promises to banish body odour without the need for chemicals is the new must-have body product.

Hair Flair

Thu, Sep 03, 2009

Is your crowning glory looking the worse for wear? If so, a new product from L’Oreal may be the perfect solution to offering it a quick nourishment boost.

The L’Oreal Elvive leave-in conditioner sprays are designed to suit each hair type and can be used every day.

Bags of style

Thu, Sep 03, 2009

Are you tired of discarding school bags year after year? If so, opt for one of the many functional, stylish and recession proof “Back to Study” bags from JanSport which come with a 30-year guarantee.

Face facts

Thu, Sep 03, 2009

NeoStrata’s new facial cleanser (€22) is hailed as the perfect beauty product to get you started each morning.

E-paper

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