Get a taste of Christmas at Goya’s

Thu, Nov 17, 2011

Twenty two years ago Emer Murray had a tasting in The Ardilaun to launch her Christmas goodies, it was a great success so she is using the same formula again.

Emer Murray of Goya’s feels it is important to taste the cakes, to know what you are ordering, and most importantly in the current climate, to feel happy with the quality of the cakes, savoury tarts, and meals. Therefore on Friday November 18 at Goya’s, Kirwan's Lane, everyone can enjoy a glass of mulled wine, taste the goodies both sweet and savoury, and donate €5 to St Vincent De Paul. On the day you can order Christmas treats and take the work out of Christmas for yourself.

Stock up your snow cupboard now

Thu, Nov 17, 2011

If the rumours are true then we are in for an even worse ‘big freeze’ this winter – a thought that will sends shivers down the spine even if you like the snow. We all remember the ice-rink roads that became impossible to navigate; only the toughest of Army vehicles could make safe progress on them. This made getting to the shops for even the most basic supplies very difficult for some, and food ran short during those cold weeks. So the message this year is to be prepared.

Battle of the chefs on November 16

Thu, Nov 10, 2011

This is an event which promises to be great fun and a great culinary experience while helping four worthy charities. The charities to benefit are Console, Down Syndrome Ireland, Cancer Care West and The Galway Lions Club. The event will take place in The Salthill Hotel on Wednesday November 16. Tickets cost €50 and are available from The Salthill Hotel on 091 548808, and also from the designated charities above.

Mauritian Creole Restaurant, Forster Street

Thu, Nov 03, 2011

I had passed the sign for this restaurant a couple of times and wondered what exactly is a Mauritian Creole restaurant and also wondered about the significance of the bird on the signage that looked a bit like a fat turkey. First of all the Mauritian part of the title indicates that the owners and chef are from Mauritius and the Creole part of the name comes from the fact that the French created a huge plantation business in Mauritius during the 1700s and the language that developed among the slaves was a version of the French that was called creole. The slaves were from Africa, Madagascar and India, so as you can imagine the food has many influences. Finally the picture of the fat bird is a dodo, which became extinct in Mauritius around the end of the 1600s.

The restaurant is located upstairs in Forster Street, roughly across from Park House. They have a Facebook page, if you would like to see some pictures. The food is indeed a mixture of influences, somewhat like a cross between Indian, Chinese and Indonesian. The menu is 98 per cent coeliac friendly and the only oil they use is olive oil. They do not use any dairy products and all spices are selected for their ayurvedic qualities, the most popular being cumin, fenugreek, mustard seeds, saffron, cardamon, salt, sesame and turmeric. Careful use of these in their preparation of any dish should create a good balance for the body.

Goats Lane, Clarinbridge, and Péarla na Mara, Oranmore

Thu, Oct 27, 2011

Goats Lane Café, what a great name for a café and so easy to remember. It is apparently the original name for the road down by the side of Kelly’s post office and shop in Clarinbridge. This new venture has just been opened in the last couple of weeks by Deirdre and Phyllis Flanagan and is an oasis of home cooked treats. Previously I have bought cakes, brownies, and breads from Deirdre and Phyllis at various markets in Kinvara, Oranmore, Clarinbridge, and Ardrahan, and often times, with the rain pouring down around them, I thought, fair play to them. No more setting up their tent and perhaps getting drenched while trying to bring their goodies to their customers.

Authors to visit Galway tomorrow to celebrate Irish cheese

Thu, Oct 27, 2011

Enthusiastic foodies Glynn Anderson and John McLaughlin have written the definitive guide to the farmhouse cheeses of Ireland, a celebration of cheese and cheesemakers. During Bord Bia's Farmhouse Cheese and Craft Beer Weekend, taking place from today (Thursday) to Monday, they will be out and about, taking part in events and signing copies of their very tasty book. Tomorrow (Friday) from 4.30pm they will be in the Oslo Bar and Microbrewery in Upper Salthill.

Farmhouse Cheeses of Ireland – A Celebration (The Collins Press, price €24.99) is the first book to feature every locally produced farmhouse cheese in Ireland. It contains detailed descriptions of each cheese and the cheesemakers along with extra information on cheesemaking and the Irish cheese industry. There are fantastic photographs throughout to accompany the text.

Eat launches at Massimo

Thu, Oct 13, 2011

Eat, the new gastropub experience, will launch this week at Massimo on William Street.

Lunch at the Clarion Hotel, good deals at Mama Bia, Gerry Galvin the author, and Cases Christmas wine fair

Thu, Oct 13, 2011

The Clarion Hotel
During the week I called in to the Clarion Hotel (previously Days Hotel/Galway Ryan) for a spot of lunch. It was a very wet day so one of the things that appealed to me was being able to park at the front door, and of course no parking charges. Ever since the wall and railings were erected I always feel it is slightly ‘out of sight, out of mind’, hence I had never had lunch there before. It is a very convenient place to meet and have a coffee or lunch as there is a lot of space between tables to make it private and comfortable.

Things to celebrate about Irish food

Thu, Sep 29, 2011

It would have been hard to live anywhere in Ireland this past week and not know that the National Ploughing Championships were taking place in Athy, Co Kildare. Several radio stations even moved their entire broadcasting base to Athy for the three days. Going to the ploughing is a bit like going to the oyster festival for many people, ie, the main attraction is no longer the centre of attention. Many people I met there this week had absolutely no intention of looking at any ploughing; most were there for a ‘day out’ with no agenda.

Corry’s Food Hall and Sabor Café, Loughrea

Thu, Sep 29, 2011

I was delighted to see that Corry’s Food Hall and Sabor Café in Loughrea is a finalist in the Retail Excellence Awards Ireland for 2011. It was nominated in Best Medium Size Store and Best Overall Store categories and it is the only remaining entry from Connacht. This is a very big nationwide contest and it is a fair achievement to get to be the county winner, however to be the last remaining entrant from the entire region is a testament to their hard work. If you have ever been in the store you will not be surprised at this, if you have not then you really should see it. So best of luck to Nigel, Declan, and all the team when the winners will be announced on November 5.

Fifty Mile Feast for Galway Simon Community

Thu, Sep 29, 2011

On Saturday October 8 at the old Columban Hall on Sea Road there will be a seven-course banquet with all proceeds going to the Galway Simon Community. Seven of our top chefs will be using the very best artisan produce from within 50-miles radius of Galway to design a dinner to remember. There will be wines paired with each course to ensure you have a great night. Some of the names involved will be well known to you, Jessica Murphy from Kai, JP McMahon from Cava, Seamus Sheridan from Sheridan’s cheesemongers, Jamie Peaker from Builin Blasta, Sorcha Molloy from Herons Rest, Paolo Burnato and Perluigi Suzana from Ard Bia, Peter Boland from Cases Wines, and Enrico Fantasia. All the produce is being donated by the various local producers. Tickets are €95 each and available from Kai and Ard Bia, or contact (085) 2388522 or www.galwaysimon.ie

Capone’s restaurant, Kingston Road

Thu, Sep 22, 2011

I have passed by Capone’s restaurant many times since it opened and often thought that I should call in for a coffee or a bite to eat, however because I assumed the only parking area was across the road I kept on going. Nothing could be further from the truth; there is a car park at the rear and an underground car park. This is accessed from the Knocknacarra Cross end of the set of shops. In fact you can even park right at the back door and walk directly in as I did.

Interesting food courses in GMIT

Thu, Sep 22, 2011

Come Dine with Me Galway style: This is an eight-week course starting on Monday September 26. The aim of the course is to have you ready to prepare a three-course meal that will wow your friends, and do it all with a minimum of fuss and stress. The course is given by award winning chef Gerry Luskin. The cost is €225.

Wine course by Cases Wines

Thu, Sep 22, 2011

There is a series of one-off wine course in Cases Wine Warehouse on the Tuam Road every Thursday from 8pm to 10pm. Each one can be booked individually at a cost of €20, and you can sample about six to eight different wines on the night. To book call (091) 764701. www.cases.ie

Great value from prix fixe menu at Oscars

Thu, Sep 22, 2011

Oscars Seafood Bistro on Dominick Street has introduced a new prix fixe menu. This is a popular concept in continental Europe, and in particular France, and is a fantastic way to deliver exceptional value without compromising on quality in any way.

Capone’s restaurant, Kingston Road

Thu, Sep 22, 2011

I have passed by Capone’s restaurant many times since it opened and often thought that I should call in for a coffee or a bite to eat, however because I assumed the only parking area was across the road I kept on going. Nothing could be further from the truth; there is a car park at the rear and an underground car park. This is accessed from the Knocknacarra Cross end of the set of shops. In fact you can even park right at the back door and walk directly in as I did.

Interesting food courses in GMIT

Thu, Sep 22, 2011

Come Dine with Me Galway style: This is an eight-week course starting on Monday September 26. The aim of the course is to have you ready to prepare a three-course meal that will wow your friends, and do it all with a minimum of fuss and stress. The course is given by award winning chef Gerry Luskin. The cost is €225.

Great value from prix fixe menu at Oscars

Thu, Sep 22, 2011

Oscars Seafood Bistro on Dominick Street has introduced a new prix fixe menu. This is a popular concept in continental Europe, and in particular France, and is a fantastic way to deliver exceptional value without compromising on quality in any way.

The Ardilaun — best chowder in the west

Thu, Sep 15, 2011

I was pleasantly surprised the other day when I called into The Blazers Bistro in The Ardilaun hotel. I normally think of many hotel bistros as serving food that has been cooked since early morning with the sole objective of profit without worrying about the quality. This is not always the case, but very often is.

Lobster time and Irish peanut butter tasting at The White Gables, Moycullen

Thu, Sep 15, 2011

If you are partial to a lobster main course and shrink away from ordering it because of the prohibitive price, you might want to check out the September offer at the White Gables. The White Gables is repeating a deal that it had last year, from now to the end of September 2011 it is offering a lobster main course, poached or grilled, for €25, available every night and perfect for a special treat.

The White Gables Restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday night inclusive. Visit www.whitegables.com or telephone (091) 555744.

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