Be pictured with your fish at Mary’s Fish

Thu, Mar 26, 2015

It Is coming up to that time of year again, the biggest fish eating day in Ireland, Good Friday. In order to give you some ideas to perhaps try cooking something different Mary's Fish Shop is having one of her "Fish Demo Cooking Days” on Tuesday March 31.

There will be several of Galway's best chefs cooking up a storm and every thing that is cooked will be eaten by the audience. Proceedings will get underway at about midday with the Galway Bay FM Bay Caster broadcasting live.

‘A Taste of Chocolate’ -sensational chocolate infused supper club at the Gaslight Bar and Brasserie

Thu, Mar 26, 2015

Continuing on from the success of their regular Supper Clubs, the Gaslight Bar and Brasserie will be celebrating the world of chocolate this Easter weekend. Galway’s latest casual dining destination is joining forces with independent artisan chocolatier, Hazel Mountain Chocolates, to develop a very special chocolate inspired three-course tasting menu. Available on Saturday April 4 for just €36.00 per person.

Now city diners can savour the Péarla na Mara experience

Thu, Mar 26, 2015

In July 2011, a dream came through – Péarla na Mara, a cosy café-restaurant in the heart of Oranmore village, opened its door for its first customers. Today, nearly four years later, it has become one of the favourite spots on Oranmore's dining scene and has been recognised by several industry awards, including a recommendation in Georgina Campbell's guide for the last three years and several TripAdvisor® Certificates of Excellence.

‘Our formula is simple: commitment to quality and consistence’ – reveals the owner and head chef Kamel Ourdache. – ‘We want to showcase the best of Western foodstuffs without overcomplicating the cooking! Fresh, unpretentious, wholesome food cooked from scratch to order using finest, locally sourced ingredients and simple Mediterranean seasoning.

House Hotel

Thu, Mar 26, 2015

The House Hotel, in the heart of The Latin Quarter, continues to raise the bar with their seasonal, delectable cocktails as they announce Aileen Cunningham as their new Head Cocktail Bartender.

New lunch menu at the Connacht Hotel

Thu, Mar 26, 2015

Spring has arrived and with it the Connacht Hotel, on the Dublin Road in Renmore, has launched its new spring/summer bar lunch menu.

This new menu is full of all the culinary delights that the regular lunch diners at the Connacht Hotel have grown to expect, and more. Head chef Regis Herviaux has carefully planned the menu to ensure that visitors to the hotel can sample the best ingredients that Galway’s suppliers have to offer. Changing daily are fish, stew, casserole dishes, and pie of the day, which are popular choices. There is also a large selection of starters and salads, mains such as chicken curry, lasagne, Kentucky style chicken, and pork belly. Some lighter main options can be chosen from the sandwich menu, or diners can select a salad as a main.

Adventurous dining at The Salthill Hotel

Thu, Mar 19, 2015

That the Salthill Hotel has only recently been awarded four star status came as a surprise to me. The lofty foyer and comfortable reception would not be out of place in Kensington. Any weddings or events I have attended there have always been to a very high standard. Overlooking the Promenade, with views of Galway Bay and the Clare Hills, this elegant hotel features an exceptional leisure centre. But the official announcement was granted by Fáilte Ireland, that the Salthill Hotel has achieved the four star status, only on February 12 2015. This accomplishment is testament to the hard work of the staff, coupled with the substantial investment by the Byrne family in the property in the last few years.

McKennas’ Guides crowns Galway “the finest city to eat in Ireland”

Thu, Mar 12, 2015

The west of the country has been on something of a winning streak of late when it comes to food and hospitality. Kai Café and Restaurant was the big winner at the start of the year scooping the top prize, Restaurant of the Year for 2015, in Georgina Campbell’s Awards, the country’s longest-running hospitality awards. Run by New Zealander Jess Murphy and her Irish husband David, Kai had been converted from a tearoom to a rustic restaurant, and was praised for having seriously good food with a sense of fun. Best Asian Restaurant went to The Asian Tea House, with Mitchell’s in Clifden and Frankie Mallon of An Port Mór, Westport, awarded best seafood restaurant and best seafood chef respectively.

Afternoon tea at The Ardilaun

Thu, Mar 12, 2015

Tradition, hospitality, and old world charm are synonymous with the luxurious The Ardilaun hotel, making it the perfect place to relax and enjoy an indulgent afternoon tea. The new afternoon tea menu will not disappoint. Head chef David O’Donnell has carefully chosen local artisan ingredients to produce an afternoon tea menu that combines classic delicacies in a contemporary style. A staple of afternoon tea, scones, come with added flourish — Cuinneog buttermilk sultana and chocolate scones served with Irish Mist and berry jam, vanilla mascarpone, and Cuinneog butter. Finger sandwiches take a classic and elevate it to include local producers McGeogh’s Air Dried Lamb, Cornamona Smoked Salmon — the humble cheese sarnie is transformed into chargrilled cereal bread with beetroot and pink peppercorn hummus, Aran feta cheese, arugula leaves, caramelised apple, and pumpkin seed oil.

Dinner, drinks, and bistro bites at The Gaslight Bar & Brasserie

Thu, Mar 05, 2015

The Parlour at the Meyrick has long been popular as a meeting place for coffee, lunch, or afternoon tea. In the space adjacent to the ground floor reception, previously the Oyster Grill, you will find The Meyrick’s new bar and brasserie, the Gaslight. Although open less than a year, The Gaslight has quickly become one of the hottest spots in Galway for those looking for a vibrant city centre venue for dinner or drinks. Located right in the heart of the city, it is well placed for after-work cocktails, evening meals, brunches and lunches with friends or colleagues. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal, suitable for any occasion, from a romantic meal for two to a corporate or family occasion.

‘The Butcher and the Brewer’ supper club at the Gaslight Bar & Brasserie

Thu, Mar 05, 2015

A cut above the rest, the Gaslight Bar & Brasserie is hosting a ‘Butcher & The Brewer’ supper club on Friday March 13 from 7pm. Enjoy a three course deliciously lush and meaty menu paired with the award winning Galway Hooker beers for just €35 per person.

An Púcán, the ultimate whiskey experience

Thu, Mar 05, 2015

An Púcán on Forster Street is less than a year in existence but its presence is going from strength to strength on the Galway food, drink, and entertainment scene. An Púcán is renowned for its remarkable selection of Irish and international whiskies, with around 200 to choose from. The extensive range can be enjoyed in traditional and truly modern ways — from neat tasting platters of food and whiskey pairings and truly scrumptious whiskey cocktails (try the Teeling Brûlée sour) An Púcán is not afraid to try something new and exciting with Irish whiskey.

The rugby-themed 6 Nations of Whiskey promotion is also great fun — who knew there was Italian and Welsh whiskey? — and after recently hosting a talk on The History of Galway Distilling, An Púcán really is set to be part of whiskey’s bright future as well.

The new bistro at The Ardilaun

Thu, Feb 26, 2015

It is fair to say, I think, that we have all learned to lower our expectations a little when dining in a hotel. Often we hear the phrase “the food was great” qualified by the appendage “for a wedding”. After all, serving 120 plus plates of beef or salmon all at the same time is an entirely different prospect to cooking two or four plates to order.

Brilliant Galway brunches

Thu, Feb 19, 2015

With the summer season fast approaching again, one of the bonuses for the frequent diner in Galway is better breakfast and brunch options. This was a bleak enough prospect for a long time, but now we are spoiled with great weekday breakfasts. PoppySeed, Ard Bia, and McCambridge’s cafes notably serve up perfect starts to the morning before the more reliable pubs join in after 10.30am or 11am with big fry-ups and comforting mugs of tea. At the weekends there is even more to choose from.

Enjoy delicious Indian cuisine in Salthill

Thu, Feb 19, 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.

Feast your eyes on the new spring menus in the Gaslight Bar & Brasserie

Thu, Feb 19, 2015

The Gaslight Bar & Brasserie opened in Hotel Meyrick last year and swiftly became one of the most talked about dining venues in Galway. Located in the heart of the city, overlooking Eyre Square, the Gaslight is a bright and airy casual dining space where you can escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy a working lunch or a catch up with friends over great tasting coffee. Grab a window seat with views over Eyre Square or sit at the bar counter and banter with the barman. During the day, enjoy satisfying sandwiches, crunchy bruschetta, fabulous fish, serious steaks, and seasonal specials with quality attentive service. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available for all guests.

Evenings at McCambridge’s

Thu, Feb 12, 2015

McCambridge’s is one of my favourite shops. Not a week passes that I do not go in for something special. You can easily put together a wonderful lunch, maybe some grilled artichokes, artisanal cheese, or organic salmon on the freshest of brown bread. An evening meal is just as easily assembled with confit duck legs and something from the salad bar. There are the ever popular sandwiches from the counter to be eaten by the surging waters of the Corrib on a sunny day.

McCambridge’s wins Food Retailer Off Licence Award 2015

Thu, Feb 12, 2015

McCambridge’s was crowned Best Food Retailer Off Licence of the Year at the National Off Licence of the Year Awards 2015 at the Honourable Society of Kings Inns, Dublin, recently.

Try regional specialities of Italy at Trattoria

Thu, Feb 05, 2015

In many seaside towns both here and afar, there always seems to be one main street filled with souvenir shops, a smattering of dull bars, and some terrible tourist-trap restaurants. In Galway we buck this trend and are lucky enough to have Quay Street, the buzzing heart of Galway’s Latin Quarter. It has medieval architecture, and a pedestrian street for browsing the many quirky little shops full of wooden toys, vintage clothes, and pottery, alongside the quality woollens and Celtic jewellery. The atmosphere in the pubs is fun and friendly, with the sound of music from trad to rock spilling onto the street. You are guaranteed entertainment from buskers and performers, a festival or passing parade, and it is the best place in the city on a sunny evening, when the outdoor seating is packed with tourists and locals engaged in 'people watching' and enjoying all the sights and sounds on our streets.

Quay Street is also the hard working culinary backbone of our tourist trade with many distinctive restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets. Behind the colourful facades there are wine bars, coffee shops, and restaurants with many cuisines from which to choose. But dining out in the centre of Galway is certainly not just for tourists. In the leaner winter months especially they must rely on the local trade to keep afloat in an industry with such notoriously slim margins. While many of us walk past them every day, a lot of them just happen to be very good places to eat, with exceptional variety for visitors and residents. Whether you are looking for a fine dining establishment or a fish and chip joint, you are likely to find something that meets your needs.

Eleventh annual McCambridge’s Food and Wine Fair to take place next week

Thu, Nov 13, 2014

McCambridge’s of Shop Street will celebrate its 11th annual Food and Wine Fair on Thursday November 20 at the Salthill Hotel from 6pm to 10pm.

Proceeds from this year’s event will go to support the work of Pieta House, along with local schools Galway Educate Together, Dominican College, St Joseph’s College ‘The Bish’, Scoil Iognáid, Coláiste Iognáid, Lakeview School, Briarhill National School, and Coláiste na Coiribe. Tickets are available from McCambridge’s and all eight schools, and will be available on the door, at €20.

Loam — Galway dining redefined

Thu, Nov 13, 2014

By and large Galway does not like fine dining. White table cloths, fine linens, and silverware don’t appeal to our Bohemian tendencies. Elaborate five hour, three-figure, hushed meals make us collectively regress to our inner toddler, wanting to smear our foie gras and veloute around. That is not to say we don't enjoy fine food, we just like it in a more lively environment. Galwegians, and those who are drawn to settle here, are comfortable in the easy elegance of Kai, the relaxed charm of Il Vicolo, or propping up the bar upstairs in Sheridan’s — any place with that touch of novelty, eccentricity, and fun. In recent times, it seems the rest of the world is coming round to our point of view. There is a shift in the industry from formal and traditional establishments towards a style of low-key dining, both nationally and internationally. Now that chefs are busy opening pizza joints and noodle bars, the days seem numbered for fancy dining rooms and yet that is exactly what has just happened.

E-paper

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