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.
The lunch is a carvery counter with all main courses under €10. I thought the Irish stew looked particularly appealing, but in the end I opted for Cajun salmon. The mixed root vegetable selection was excellent, especially as in most carveries they are boiled or roasted to death; not so, they were roasted to perfection and full of flavour, as were the roast potatoes. One thing about carveries is that you will never leave hungry, as all you have to do is ask the chef for more. I followed up with a pavlova, the presentation was lovely with a little bowl of fresh fruit separate from the meringue and from the cream, giving you the option of mixing them together as you wish.
I had not realised that it was the biggest hotel in the west, some 370 bedrooms, and when I enquired whether they we busy I was told that the hotel is full most weekends. I then enquired what is a typical deal; on offer now is a deal where you can have three nights’ B&B with two evening meals for two adults and up to four children any night of the week for €169 per person (children go free ). That strikes me as a good deal in any language, so perhaps if the deals are good enough the crowd will follow.
Mama Bia
Just across from UHG is another place that is not all that noticeable (and curiously, also across the road from a hospital ) called Mama Bia. It is nestled between the River Inn and Supermac’s, and serves a nice selection of food from 9am to 6pm, five days a week. Full Irish breakfast is €6.95 but the most popular dishes seem to be filled bagels, giant stuffed baked potatoes, and the very large salads. I had one of my favourite filled bagels, smoked salmon, cream cheese, and chopped red onion on a sesame seed bagel, €5.25. You can add a quite big cup of soup to the deal, as I did, for a total of €6.95. The cost of a bap with five or six fillings plus the same large soup is €6.50. The soup was homemade mushroom and excellent. I also sampled Mama’s own salad, a very large bowl filled with lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, onions, pineapple, chicken, bacon, and melted cheese, €7.95. As you can see in the picture, if salads are your thing you will not walk away hungry. One that caught my eye was the power salad, it had lettuce, feta cheese, beetroot, black olives, tomatoes, and balsamic dressing.
It also has a good deal for students between 3pm and 6pm each day, a hearty main course for €6.95. There is also a 10 per cent discount for all HSE staff and students. I have been noticing that there are good deals all over the city on tea and coffee, in Mama Bia a takeaway Americano or tea is €1 and any other coffee is €1.50. Everything they sell can be prepared ready to go; hot or cold, so if you are visiting someone in the hospital who would like a meal just call (091 ) 862234 and they will have it ready for you to pick up as you visit your friend or family member in hospital.
Gerry Galvin, chef turned author
Many of you will remember Gerry Galvin from his days in Drimcong House. It would be fair to say that he was cooking some of the best food in the west, and I had many a memorable meal there over the years. He has written cookery books, and been a regular contributor to Food and Wine. Last year he wrote a book of poetry and is now about to publish a novel called Killer a la Carte. The main character is apparently an amalgam of fairly unsavoury characters, including a restaurant critic. It should be in a bookshop near you within the next few weeks. Is there no end to the man’s talent?
Cases Christmas wine fair
Cases Wine Warehouse will hold its Christmas wine fair at 6.30pm on Thursday November 17 in its premises on the Tuam Road. There will be 120 wines available for sample and a range of artisan beers. There will be tapas and live music, tickets are €20 which will go to Self Help Africa. Last year €4,000 was raised for Console, so I think this has to be date for the diary.
