GiGi’s - special location for a special occasion

Thu, Sep 28, 2017

There is no doubting the strong links that exist between architecture and food. Both start with an idea and evolve through constant testing and re-testing. In design that can mean multiple iterations on the same 3D model, via option-eering or prototyping depending on the scale and necessity and likewise in the kitchen or behind the bar, this means reworking a certain dish or drink as a prototype that is re-investigated in much the same way, until it reaches the desired outcome.

But the relationship can also extend to the link between design and the environment that surrounds it. And in my latest trip to dine in the marvellous Restaurant gigi’s in the g Hotel in Galway, I came across many instances where the presentation of the food finds its inspiration in thinking that is strongly allied to that which conceived the g Hotel in the first place.

The Lighthouse Cafe

Thu, Sep 28, 2017

Despite another sodden summer weather-wise, it has been another great year for Irish hospitality. While closures are still occurring, the number of new businesses opening continues apace. New openings are mainly of the bistro and café variety, with tea rooms continuing to grow in popularity and the afternoon tea craze reaching its peak.

Kai and Loam named among top twenty most sustainable food businesses

Thu, Sep 21, 2017

Galway restaurants Loam and Kai have been named on the shortlist for the most sustainable food service business, the only Irish restaurants alongside 18 other businesses, as part of the Food Made Good Business 2017 awards.

Galway schools urged to join revolt against food waste

Thu, Sep 21, 2017

Galway schools are being asked to join a nationwide campaign against food waste as world hunger levels rise to new alarming levels.

Hunger Heroes, run by Irish aid agency Concern Worldwide, raises awareness of the global hunger crisis and teaches children how they can help solve it.

Celebrate the 2017 festive season with a Christmas party at the iconic Hotel Meyrick

Thu, Sep 21, 2017

Overlooking Eyre Square, Hotel Meyrick is the home of Christmas in Galway city centre, and the ideal location for a Christmas party or get-together. With three unique event spaces including the beautiful Connemara Suite, the magical Hotel Meyrick serves up a feast of festive experiences with delicious food, exceptional service, and lively entertainment. It is a truly beautiful venue, none more so than over the Christmas period. It is full of atmosphere and right in the heart of the city.

Athlone Springs Hotel is the place to party this festive season

Tue, Sep 19, 2017

Athlone Springs Hotel is the place to party this festive season; centrally located, contemporary décor, good food and drink and lots of Christmas cheer will make your party stand out from the rest.

Award winning gastropub John Keoghs gains national recognition for food

Thu, Sep 14, 2017

John Keoghs, The Lock Keeper, in Galway's West End has kicked off the winter season with three national award nominations and an award win.

Counter culture

Thu, Sep 14, 2017

The g Counter cafe and deli, based in Wellpark Retail Park, caused quite a lot of excitement when it opened back in 2013 and almost instantly found its groove. The pared back, open plan, neighbourhood style café, reminiscent of New York's trendy Meat Packing District, proved popular right from the start. It was our very own Big Apple dining experience without the airfare, offering an exciting mix of food in a casual and contemporary dining space. Next to the back door of the g Hotel and directly across from the Eye Cinema, it scored extra brownie points with its plentiful free parking.

The original menu of oversized deli sandwiches, salads, soups, rotisserie chicken, and hot signature dishes soon had queues forming at the door. Club sandwiches on soft pillowy brioche buns; chorizo with melted cheese and roasted red peppers on sourdough; crusty bread piled high with herbed rotisseire chicken served on wooden boards lined with pretty greaseproof paper flew out from the kitchen. They boasted a great hotdog with good bun-to-sausage ratio, and other highlights were the spicy wings and the extensive brunch menu with a comprehensive selection of eggs — poached, scrambled, and fried, Benedict-ed, and Florentine-d.

How To Plan A Great Themed Party

Mon, Sep 11, 2017

There’s nothing better than a themed party: it gives people a chance to celebrate things they’d never usually think of, to dress up, and you can have them for any occasion. They work especially well for hen parties! The downside? Themed parties take a lot of planning time and preparation – however, if you know what you’re doing, it can be a really fun process. Here's our advice for the perfect themed party:

Celebrate the 2017 festive season with a Christmas party at the iconic Hotel Meyrick, in the heart of Galway city

Thu, Sep 07, 2017

The g Counter cafe and deli, based in Wellpark Retail Park, caused quite a lot of excitement when it opened back in 2013 and almost instantly found its groove. The pared back, open plan, neighbourhood style café, reminiscent of New York's trendy Meat Packing District, proved popular right from the start. It was our very own Big Apple dining experience without the airfare, offering an exciting mix of food in a casual and contemporary dining space. Next to the back door of the g Hotel and directly across from the Eye Cinema, it scored extra brownie points with its plentiful free parking.

The original menu of oversized deli sandwiches, salads, soups, rotisserie chicken, and hot signature dishes soon had queues forming at the door. Club sandwiches on soft pillowy brioche buns; chorizo with melted cheese and roasted red peppers on sourdough; crusty bread piled high with herbed rotisseire chicken served on wooden boards lined with pretty greaseproof paper flew out from the kitchen. They boasted a great hotdog with good bun-to-sausage ratio, and other highlights were the spicy wings and the extensive brunch menu with a comprehensive selection of eggs — poached, scrambled, and fried, Benedict-ed, and Florentine-d.

Counter culture

Thu, Sep 07, 2017

Overlooking Eyre Square, Hotel Meyrick is the home of Christmas in Galway city centre, and the ideal location for a Christmas party or get-together. With three unique event spaces including the beautiful Connemara suite, the magical Hotel Meyrick serves up a feast of festive experiences with delicious food, exceptional service, and lively entertainment. This is a truly beautiful venue, never more so than over the Christmas period. It is full of atmosphere and right in the heart of the city.

Enjoy afternoon tea at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa

Thu, Sep 07, 2017

An exciting new afternoon tea has just launched at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Galway, served in the recently-opened Coopers Bar & Lounge overlooking Lough Atalia.

Enjoy afternoon tea at The Ardilaun hotel

Thu, Sep 07, 2017

Tradition, hospitality, and old world charm are synonymous with the luxurious Ardilaun hotel, making it the perfect place to relax and enjoy an indulgent afternoon tea.

Kai Restaurant named among Top 20 most sustainable food businesses

Wed, Sep 06, 2017

Kai Restaurant has been named on the shortlist for the most sustainable food service business. Restaurants from Denmark, Ireland, France and the United States are vying with 14 of the UK’s finest for the Food Made Good Business 2017 award which will be presented to the restaurant or food service business that has received the highest Food Made Good rating from the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) in the last year, at the Food Made Good Awards, on 5th October.

Irish dining scene a picture of diversity!

Mon, Sep 04, 2017

Stew, spuds and stout? For those who believe that Ireland’s food scene still revolves around these three staples, it’s time for you to come out from under that rock.

Enjoy Sunday lunch with family and friends at The Ardilaun

Thu, Aug 31, 2017

The traditional carvery lunch in the Camilaun restaurant at The Ardilaun hotel in Taylor's Hill is the perfect lunch stop for catching up with old friends, making some new ones, or simply celebrating a family occasion, and is the perfect way to while away a lazy Sunday afternoon.

SuperSubs Food for Life

Thu, Aug 31, 2017

It is tough being a modern man, woman, or young person. Twenty first century life moves at a frenetic pace. It is unrecognisable from the pace of life that existed a generation ago. We communicate and consume in completely different ways. In the pre-mobile phone era, we all knew training was on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm and that the game was on after Mass on Sunday. We all knew instinctively that lifts would be available if required, and knew exactly who was going in what cars. A lot of things were pre-planned because they had to be. This included meal time. A striking feature of modern times is that an increasing amount of meal times are classed as meals-on-the-go. The challenge here is to strike a balance between a busy, active lifestyle and getting the necessary nutrition on board that helps to sustain it.

The Food for Life Range from SuperSubs does just that. The range includes a selection of soups, subs, and salad boxes. Did you ever wonder what the benefits of vine tomatoes were? Or how having a good night’s sleep helps your work life balance? What do magnesium and omega 3 do to help you with your daily routine, or what are the most natural ways of getting anti-oxidants or anti-inflammatories into your daily food intake? The Food for Life range shows that it possible to do so using a balanced mix of light subs, soups, and salads. SuperSubs has recently teamed up with nutritionist Sinéad Bradbury to try and increase awareness of the importance of a healthy body to a healthy mind and, more importantly, how can you get all these vital ingredients for a healthy lifestyle into a busy daily routine where food on the move is playing a bigger part in how we consume our meals throughout the day. SuperSubs is available in selected Supermac's throughout Galway and the Food for Life range is proving to be a popular addition to the variety of choice that the group of family restaurants provides.

Johnny Callahan-Ireland’s Champion Mixologist!

Thu, Aug 31, 2017

Galway has in its mitts a mixologist master. Johnny Callahan from Inishowen Donegal and working for the Skeff Late Bar and Kitchen on Eyre Square has just won his second major national title and will now represent Ireland on the global stage. Having won at Irish Jameson Cocktail finals earlier in the year, this time he has been showing off his incredible skills in preparing the finest tequila drinks in all of Ireland. He beat off competition from some of the best bars in Dublin, Cork and the rest of Ireland including Xico, 37 Dawson Street and Cask.

Connemara Catering, providing top class catering service.

Wed, Aug 30, 2017

Serving from Clifden to Tuam and the Aran Islands, Connemara Catering provides a top class, exclusive catering service that guarantees the highest quality and taste for all your guests whatever the occasion.

Dine and explore with all the family at The Ardilaun

Thu, Aug 24, 2017

The Ardilaun hotel has recently welcomed its first fairy family who have set up home in the garden and are a great attraction for all children dining in the hotel with their families, whether in The Ardilaun Bistro or the Camilaun Restaurant.

E-paper

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