The Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe: style and class in a relaxing environment

Thu, Nov 05, 2015

I was recently invited to a tasting of the new menu in the Canal Gastro Bar and Bistro, Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe. On entering the lobby of the hotel one cannot help but be impressed. Tall ceilings and marble finishing immediately suggest style and class, without making me question my decision to go with a casual shirt and pants combo. 

My hostess for the evening, the charming and welcoming Soroya, immediately puts me at ease as she leads me to my table. Smiling and courteous, she is also a treasure trove of information regarding the food I am about to eat and about the establishment itself. The restaurant is large but still incredibly cosy; the modern décor is enriched with warm and inviting earthy tones.

A passion for flavour at the Connemara Sands

Thu, Oct 29, 2015

Fresh, local, organic, produce and a focus on flavour are the twin passions of executive head chef at the Connemara Sands, Reece Grehan. Since starting at the hotel earlier this year, he has moved the menu away from the fiddly foams and tiny portions of molecular gastronomy, and back to basics. 

It’s time to indulge at Martine’s of Quay Street

Thu, Oct 29, 2015

Martine's of Quay Street offers a delicious selection of homemade scones and cakes that are baked in-house every morning. The restaurant serves the tasty treats from 11am until 3.30pm every day in cosy surroundings.

RAW named Ethnic Restaurant of the Year at the Georgina Campbell Awards

Thu, Oct 29, 2015

RAW Sushi in the Sky at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Galway, has been awarded Ethnic Restaurant of the Year at the Georgina Campbell Awards 2016.

Halloween - horrid delights

Thu, Oct 22, 2015

Halloween is only a week away and every year this festival seems to be getting bigger and bigger. When I was growing up apples and nuts were the only foods associated with Halloween, but nowadays it is a big deal with pumpkins, squashes, and the like featuring on menus all over the county.

What’s cooking at PoppySeed Oranmore?

Thu, Oct 22, 2015

Creative cookery classes with head chef Judy Forde will commence in PoppySeed Oranmore on Wednesday November 4. This course will run for four consecutive weeks starting at 8pm, and will enhance your current repertoire or bring you from complete beginners to maestro in no time at all.  

Judy Forde is head chef at PoppySeed since it first opened in 2007 and has won many awards over the course of her career, and she brings a real passion to her classes. Committed to classical methods, she introduces the basics with flair and adds modern and tasty ingredients to zest up everyday dinners.

Sheridan’s Winebar for a tipple

Thu, Oct 22, 2015

Sheridan's Winebar is located on the lovely St Nicholas’s Church square in the centre of the city where the famous Galway market is held every Saturday. Having launched their cheesemongers more than 20 years ago, Kevin and Seamus Sheridan have added this wine bar above the cheese shop and overlooking the church. This is where you will find the chefs of the city on their day off and it is a social hub for the market traders. If you are observant you may see the ladies on the organic vegetable stall across from the entrance keeping warm with a glass of red in the winter, or cooling off with something sparkling on a hot day.

Aquaclean technology now available at An Siopa Troscan

Thu, Oct 22, 2015

An Siopa Troscan is located in An Fuaran, a great shopping destination in the heart of Moycullen. The spacious shop stocks everything from bigger pieces such as three piece suites, beds and sideboards, to lockers, mirrors, lamps, pictures, and frames. Suites are available from €1,799.

Taste of France — come in, discover, and taste it

Thu, Oct 15, 2015

Taste of France, located in Cross Street Lower, is owned and run by Thierry and Catherine Schreiber, natives of France. This store offers a wide range of products from renowned French suppliers known for their made-in-France tradition from areas such as Provence, Drome, and Basque country. The product range on offer includes candies, linen, accessories, natural cosmetics, and a delicatessen.

Celebrate your graduation in style at The Ardilaun

Thu, Oct 15, 2015

The Ardilaun hotel has recently launched its graduation menus for the season with lunches and dinners to mark that special occasion. As graduations take place from October 19 to 23 in NUI Galway, The Ardilaun, situated on leafy Taylor's Hill, is the ideal setting for celebrating with family and friends, as it is only 1km from the university and offers ease of access and plenty of free parking.

Take a cake walk

Thu, Oct 15, 2015

For lovers of all things sweet, Sheena Dignam, who runs the Galway food tour Around the Market Place, is holding a special Pastry Food Tour visiting a selection of the best bakeries and cake shops in town as part of Galway Bake Fest.

Lunchtime favourites at Nox Hotel

Thu, Oct 15, 2015

Tucked away in the Liosban Industrial Estate, off the Headford Road roundabout, is Nox. Galway’s newest hotel is a surprising oasis for visitors coming to Galway. Set back from the busy road that encircles the city, it also has the advantage of being just minutes from the centre of town.

Mexican food - it’s so hot right now

Thu, Oct 08, 2015

There is something hot happening in Ireland — Mexican food, one of the biggest food trends of recent years, has gone mainstream, and shows no signs of cooling down just yet. 

High tea and fashion — let’s celebrate

Thu, Oct 08, 2015

PoppySeed Clarinbridge hosts its Fashion and High Tea event on Thursday next, October 15, at 8pm. Following the excitement of last year's event the PoppySeed team will introduce the finest fashions from Ail Ruin Design Centre, Inspired By Accessories, and Meadows & Byrne while guests enjoy a sumptuous high tea of handmade treats.

This is an evening to celebrate with friends and enjoy the simple pleasures of scent, sight, and taste. There will be prizes and surprises galore at this wonderful event. Tickets are €25 and are available from PoppySeed Clarinbridge or on 091 796019.

Esquires Coffee comes to Galway 

Thu, Sep 10, 2015

Colm and Caryl McDonagh, well known businesspeople in Galway, are bringing the Esquire Coffee franchise concept to Galway city. They have recently opened in a prestige building on Eyre Square, just a few doors down from the well known O’Connell's bar. 

House Hotel’s head cocktail bartender crowned Galway’s best

Thu, Sep 10, 2015

The House Hotel’s head cocktail bartender, Aileen Cunningham, has beaten off stiff competition to win a trip to Havana, Cuba, next year after being selected as Galway’s best.

Warm and welcoming lunch at the Gaslight Bar & Brasserie

Thu, Sep 10, 2015

Autumn is drawing in; hats and scarves will soon start to reappear and we are all beginning to yearn for some warmth and relaxation. Soak up the welcoming atmosphere in the Gaslight Bar & Brasserie, whether you are on a fast lunch break, are meeting a group of friends for a lunchtime get-together, grabbing a quick bite between meetings, or enjoying a coffee after mid-morning shopping.

Located in the heart of the city, the Gaslight Bar & Brasserie is the ideal venue for lunch, promising fast and friendly service, ensuring you are back at your desk in plenty of time with a smile on your face. The extensive lunch menu offers a range of light bites, gourmet signature sandwiches, hearty soups, fresh delicious salads, Gaslight seafood chowder, and mouthwatering mains.

Mighty Mac’s

Thu, Sep 03, 2015

This has been the week that saw McDonald’s announce the launch of an ‘artisan’ burger to be called the MacMór, which aims to use Ballymaloe Relish, Charleville Cheddar, Dawn Meats beef, and Dew Valley bacon. The idea of McDonald’s selling anything ‘artisan’ came as a surprise to many in the food world, and it seems now that the company will have to change the description to something a little less aspirational.

56 Central, where old Galway meets new

Thu, Sep 03, 2015

56 Central is located in the heart of Galway on Shop Street. 56 Central opened its doors in May and has quickly established itself as a great brunch, lunch, and coffee and cake venue. This eatery, along with its sister company 37 West cafe in Newcastle, brings a very personal experience to eating, with a lot of personality being central to the ethos of what the company does.

Dinner at 56 Central brings a contrasting vibe and feel to day time dining. The combination of the best of fresh ingredients, international wines, and a retro interior that lends to the feeling you are no longer in Galway, makes dinner at 56 a must.

Enjoy delicious Indian cuisine in Salthill

Thu, Sep 03, 2015

Diners in Salthill and surrounding areas have a new venue when it comes to top quality Indian cuisine -- Falguni Indian restaurant and takeaway has recently opened, offering a delicious mix of classic Indian dishes and regional specialities.  

E-paper

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