Celebrate good wine at O’Brien’s opening
Thu, Aug 27, 2009
O’Brien’s Wine Beer and Spirits has announced the opening of its newest store at the Galway Shopping Centre.
Store manager Peter Hughes from Knocknacarra in Galway is looking forward to the challenge of a new store. “I am absolutely delighted to be part of the O’Brien’s team,” he said. “The company has established itself as one of the market leaders in wine retail here in Ireland by consistently delivering the highest quality products and offering the best value. I look forward to introducing the people of Galway to our exclusive wine range from many top producers worldwide.”
Read more ...Coping with nightmares
Thu, Aug 27, 2009
It is the end of a long, tiring day. You turn out the lights and settle down for a good night’s sleep.
Read more ...Are markets too expensive?
Thu, Aug 20, 2009
As most readers will know, I am an avid supporter of local markets and indeed I shop regularly at them in Galway city, Oranmore, Clarinbridge, Moycullen, and anywhere else I see them up and down the country. However I have had many comments from readers and friends that the produce is often very expensive. Traditionally most people go to a market and expect some sort of deal or bargain — I’m mainly thinking of clothing, etc, however, I think the same mindset is true with many people where food markets are concerned.
Read more ...Make the most of lemons
Thu, Aug 20, 2009
Ah, the lemon, one of the fruits we look at almost every day and yet we easily forget just how versatile a fresh lemon really is. Sure what would become of fish and chips without a squeeze of lemon, or a gin and tonic for that matter? Indeed the lemon helps increase the vitamin C content of many an alcoholic beverage.
Read more ...Form your party at The Dáil Bar
Thu, Aug 13, 2009
The Dáil Bar in Middle Street goes above and beyond your typical bar and restaurant when it comes to group reservations and party bookings. They are taking all the planning and stress away from organising an outing and making sure that you receive a package and service that is tailor-made for your group.
Read more ...Form your party at The Dáil Bar
Thu, Aug 13, 2009
The Dáil Bar in Middle Street goes above and beyond your typical bar and restaurant when it comes to group reservations and party bookings. They are taking all the planning and stress away from organising an outing and making sure that you receive a package and service that is tailor-made for your group.
Read more ...Celebrity chefs — are they losing their appeal?
Thu, Aug 13, 2009
I may be wrong, but I get the impression that the adoration being heaped on certain chefs may be starting to wane. Perhaps it is the recession; perhaps it is the stories of Gordon Ramsay’s empire in disarray, or perhaps we are just sick of them. I am all for promoting better cooking, better eating, and buying the best local produce, but realistically how many people actually ever cook anything they see demonstrated on television? It is a bit like watching reality TV, except you are watching someone cook rather than wander about a house.
Read more ...Carefree Sundays at the Western Hotel
Thu, Aug 13, 2009
The Western Hotel is pleased to announce carefree Sundays, a day for parents to sit back and relax with the children and experience the best in Irish hospitality.
Read more ...Make your own marshmallows
Thu, Aug 13, 2009
One of the great things about food is there’s always something new around the corner, be it a vegetable or exciting newly introduced seafood or meat. Food and its variety are truly infinite. But often even better than finding a new culinary experience is rediscovering an old one.
Read more ...Quay Street bistro
Thu, Aug 13, 2009
A smart, dinky bistro restaurant with stripped floorboards, bentwood chairs, a big dresser and plenty of atmosphere, is how Artisan was described by the Irish Independent in a list of three to try best French restaurants. Award-winning chef Sylvan Gatay specialises in local seafood, farmhouse, and organic produce. Early bird menus are available along with take-away picnic baskets. The restaurant is open seven days serving lunch from 12noon to 3.30pm and dinner from 6pm to 10.30pm.
Read more ...West Restaurant nominated for six Food & Wine Magazine awards
Thu, Aug 06, 2009
West restaurant, at the multi-award winning Twelve Hotel, Barna, has been nominated for an impressive six awards at the renowned Food & Wine Magazine Edward Dillon Restaurant of the Year Awards 2009.
The team at the popular Galwegian restaurant is shortlisted in the categories of Connaught’s Best Restaurant, Best Service, Best Good Value, Good Cooking, and Best Wine Experience, while head chef Cedric Bottarlini has been nominated for the closely contested Best Regional Chef in Connaught accolade. All nominees have been selected by the food-loving public and now the final decision lies with a panel of Ireland’s top food and wine experts who have the difficult task of choosing the winners.
Read more ...The not- so- humble spud
Thu, Aug 06, 2009
My neighbour offered me some of his new potatoes last week, and as there was a distinct lack of tasty goodies in the Shaw household for dinner that day I picked up the garden fork and filled a pot with freshly dug spuds. I was not sure of the varieties but after 15 minutes steaming I saw that they were all beautiful floury types, with their jackets bursting open.
Read more ...New safefood campaign warns consumers of food hygiene dangers in the home
Thu, Aug 06, 2009
Eighty four per cent of people do not wash their hands properly after handling raw chicken, according to new research from food safety group safefood. In its recent survey on food safety in the home, the organisation found that 72 per cent of people did not properly wash the knife used in preparing raw chicken before reuse on salad vegetables.
Read more ...‘Enjoy’ top class restaurant food to eat at home
Thu, Jul 23, 2009
Next door to The White Gables Restaurant in Moycullen is the newly opened Enjoy, where you can buy all sorts of goodies for young, old, and everybody in between. It is the brainchild of Ann and Kevin Dunne, who have been at the helm of The White Gables restaurant for more than 20 years. The popularity of the restaurant has obviously spilled over to the new delicatessen as on opening day there were queues to get in, and that was before any advertising. On my recent visit there was a constant stream of customers in the middle of a midweek day.
First impressions with any establishment are important and there is a lovely feel to the shop when you walk in — a superb display of patisserie items, lots of home-made breads, scones and muffins. Annie Dunne’s table is the centre of the shop. This table is an old table belonging to Kevin’s mother which is getting a new lease of life in the shop as it displays all the home-made breads. The shop has the feel of one that has been open quite a while and I’m sure a lot of the credit must go to Ann who has a reputation for “doing it right or not doing it at all”.
Read more ...Quick and easy meals with lamb
Thu, Jul 23, 2009
Make the most of the summer with these delicious lamb recipes from Bord Bia. These dishes are perfect for a barbecue and, thankfully, equally tasty as an indoor dining option.
Read more ...Barbecue tips and ideas
Thu, Jul 09, 2009
Now that we seem to be getting some reasonable weather most people will be hoping to have a barbecue, or indeed several barbecues. There are two major problems with this great idea; the weather and cooking the food perfectly for you and your guests. An open sided gazebo will help with the vagaries of the weather as it can act as a shield against the blazing sun or provide shelter from a shower. As far as getting the cooking right, the single best advice is to precook most of the items. I was invited to a barbecue recently by one of the top chefs in Galway and I asked him for some tips on how to get it right.
Read more ...Cases of fun at annual charity barbecue
Thu, Jul 09, 2009
Cases wine warehouse has teamed up with Enable Ireland to host an annual charity barbecue at Cases wine warehouse on the Tuam Rd on Friday July 17.
Read more ...Sizzling summer at the Dáil
Thu, Jul 09, 2009
The Dáil bar is celebrating summer with some very tasty special offers. A little taste of a Mexico is being presented by a sizzling fajita deal, with a choice of chicken or vegetarian filling, and accompanied by a free beer or glass of wine for €12.95.
The Dail also has a selection of daily specials to complement its a-a-carte menu. With an aim to cater to all tastes, specials are constantly changed and adapted to suit the season. With specials starting a €5.95 and a selection of sandwiches and lighter bites you are guaranteed to find something.
Read more ...Ten ways to lose fat without even trying
Thu, Jul 09, 2009
Fat loss does not have to be painful. Try these simple tips and see just how easy it can be.
Read more ...Warm Asian tuna salad with pickled ginger and fresh coriander, served with sushi rice
Thu, Jul 09, 2009
This delicious salad comes from Kylemore. Fresh tuna is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, offering a boost to heart health as well as improving concentration and memory.
Read more ...