Homefarm Butchers opens in Oranmore

Thu, Sep 16, 2010

Staying with Oranmore, I called in to see the newly opened Homefarm Butchers shop. It is located to the side of the astroturf pitch on your way to Scoil Mhuire girls’ school.

It is a traditional type butcher’s shop selling locally sourced products such as Kinvara lamb and great value free range ducks, also from Kinvara (currently out of stock now due to demand and back in a week or so). It sells free range chickens, beef finished on Homefarm’s own farm, and potatoes from Kinvara, Ardrahan, and Tawin Island. It has a really good se

Potatoes

Thu, Sep 16, 2010

New potatoes in a creamy chive dressing
Wonderful with poached salmon or chicken.

Griffin’s Bakery, tea room, and pizzeria

Thu, Sep 09, 2010

Practically every person in Galway knows of Griffin’s Bakery, just at the end of Shop Street where it turns into Quay Street. It is one of the oldest continuously running businesses in the city, dating back to 1876, and to the Griffins’ credit the façade of the building has not changed much over the 100-plus years. The building is medieval and dates back 500 years. A Saturday morning visit to Griffin’s is for many Galwegians an integral part of the weekend and it is not unusual to see a queue at the door, particularly at Christmas.

Discover the wines of South Australia

Thu, Sep 09, 2010

Wine Australia will host an event exploring the wines of South Australia in Galway City Museum this evening. Entitled It’s a long Way from Clare to here, the evening sets out to tell the story of one of Australia’s most famous wine regions, the Clare Valley in South Australia.

Located about two hours’ drive north of Adelaide in South Australia, the valley has a wine making history that goes back to the 1840s, and with a name like the Clare Valley, the region obviously has strong Irish links. It was named by Edward Gleeson (known as the King of the Clare) who left Sixmilebridge in Co Clare in 1850.

The Gallery Restaurant, Furbo

Thu, Aug 26, 2010

You may be wondering where is the Gallery Restaurant in Furbo? It is part of the Connemara Coast Hotel, and the reason that I have separated it out from the hotel name is that I think it needs special consideration. My memory of the Connemara Coast Hotel goes back to the days of Teach Furbo, and I am sure many readers have a similar association. That’s a long time ago and things have moved on drastically since those days. It is now a four-star hotel with a massive repeat business fom Irish people and a great reputation for excellent wedding receptions and functions. Many visitors book their next year’s holiday as they leave, similar to Kelly’s in Rosslare. The dining room is a large part of the attraction and to some extent is a well kept secret in the locality.

Gourmet Tart Co Salthill launches restaurant

Thu, Aug 19, 2010

Fintan and Michelle Hyland have done it again — they have come up with what is, I believe, a winning formula that builds on their three successful patisseries/delis that have been a source of great food in the city over the past few years.

Lose weight with Care & Cure

Thu, Aug 19, 2010

According to traditional Chinese medicine, the root of excess weight is an imbalance within the body caused by malfunctioning of the spleen and liver.

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.

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.

Unique in its performance, Transformulas Waistline2 provides you with 100 per cent herbal technology nutrition that helps you control your appetite 24 hours a day seven days a week. Waistline2 has no nasty side effects and is completely safe, with no chemicals or dangerous amphetamines.

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.

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.

E-paper

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