Tasty teas and community gardening

Thu, Aug 12, 2010

Solaris Teas

Eating outside this summer

Thu, Jul 29, 2010

We were having a really good of spell of fine weather this summer up to recently, and hopefully it will return again. So here are a few ideas for simple ways to enjoy outdoor eating.

Dine out at The Dining Room, the new restaurant from The Townhouse

Thu, Jul 29, 2010

The Dining Room, the new restaurant offering from The Townhouse in the heart of the Latin Quarter and just across from the Spanish Arch, represents a new departure for eating out in Galway. Located on the top floor above the bar, the restaurant will operate seven nights a week.

“Our food is about taste and quality, not five-star pretension, and service will be with a smile and not with attitude,” said Townhouse spokesperson Paula Feeney. “Our focus is on delivering excellent food at really good value in the Dining Room. We know that the interior design will be a major talking point, and are really looking forward to seeing our customers’ reaction.”

Druids Lane restaurant and wine bar, Quay Street

Thu, Jul 22, 2010

Druids Lane restaurant and wine bar has been open at No 9 Quay Street for 11 years now, however the history of the building goes back to 1663. It was originally owned by King Charles II, who on May 1 1663 leased the building for 500 years to the honourable George Duke of Albermarie at a rent of £6 11s 9d (less than €10 per year). I am guessing that the current occupier, Camilla Cutlar, is paying a wee bit more rent in 2010. It is situated just the other side of the lane that borders The Quays bar and is set out much as it would have been when it was a house. The décor is old world and, being practical, I don’t think any other type of ambience would work in a building with that history and architecture.

Mount Falcon, Ballina

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

I recently had a very enjoyable and informative evening at Mount Falcon in Ballina. The head chef, Philippe Farineau has started a series of dinners where he cooks each course in front of all the guests and meanwhile the main kitchen is preparing the same items for serving just as he finishes the talk and demonstration. I was not sure how this would work in reality; however, I can now say that it was an experience worth recommending to everyone who likes good food. Philippe has a great passion for cooking and the dishes he chooses are well within the capability of any amateur cook. There was a champagne reception and I really have to compliment Mount Falcon as it is one of the very few “champagne receptions” that I have attended where they actually serve champagne, nicely chilled bottles of Tattinger were awaiting us as we arrived for the meal.

Cookes Restaurant & Wine Bar

Thu, Jul 08, 2010

Cookes Restaurant & Wine Bar is located on 28 Upper Abbeygate Street in Galway, just facing you as you enter the street from The Connacht Tribune direction.

Watch your Waistline2

Thu, Jul 01, 2010

It’s not what you eat, but your appetite, that makes you gain weight, meaning people who don’t think about food do not tend to be overweight.

Barbecue season recipes

Thu, Jul 01, 2010

Helmann’s, Ireland’s favourite mayonnaise, is celebrating summer with its revamped website, www.hellmanns.ie, developed especially for the Irish barbecue season. The company has provided a range of delicious recipes to make your next barbecue a tasty affair.

Have a sweet treat in new Galway tea rooms

Thu, Jul 01, 2010

Sweetie Pies of Galway has announced the opening of its tea rooms and cake shop in Middle Street at the heart of Galway.

Sweetie Pies bakery, a winner of the 2010 Bridgestone award, has recently moved its whole operation from its orginal base in Athenry and is now set in the historic Pro Cathedral buildings.

KC Blakes and Monivea Village Market

Thu, Jul 01, 2010

KC Blakes
KC Blakes is launching a new brunch menu every Wednesday to Saturday from 12 noon to 2.30pm. The menu is designed to offer good value with the best of ingredients and everything cooked to order. If you are tight for time just ring in your order to (091) 561826 before 12 noon. Your food will be ready at the time you plan to be there.

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.

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