Search Results for 'Slow Food'

Poppy Seed coffee house and restaurant opened in the heart of Clarinbridge in 2007. This cafe is a modern and spacious, light filled space along the banks of the Clarin river, set back from the hum of the very busy main road and with ample parking. It seems the sun can find its way into this room on even the dullest of days. With one wall opened into a Meadows & Byrne store, Poppy Seed provides a welcome break from the hard work of homemaking with its excellent homebaking, just the ticket to break up a busy day. Open seven days a week and with freshly baked breads and other treats every morning, Poppy Seed offers a good menu for breakfast including an array of its speciality handmade pastries and premium coffee. Lunch choices are both healthy and hearty with chicken pâté with brioche and plum compote, Galway Bay seafood crumble with salad and brown bread, gourmet sandwiches and salads, quiches, and quesadillas all on offer. In addition to all this fine fare, the retail space offers wines, handmade Irish chocolates and biscuits, plus an array of preserves, chutneys, and savoury treats. If you need a gift or a hamper Poppy Seed will make it up for you and wrap it prettily to boot.

The smell of freshly baked bread wafting from a bakery is one of the most universally liked aromas. It is especially nostalgic for me, as when I was about 14 years old I worked for two summers in Toohey’s bakery in Loughrea. As it was located at the bottom of our garden I had always loved the smell when I called in on the way home from school. John Toohey was a gentleman and while I was expected to do my bit in about 100 degrees heat I was well looked after. One of the ovens was a coal/coke fired monstrosity with a huge sliding heavy metal tray that cooked 144 loaves at a time. When it was pulled out all the bread had to be taken off by hand, and I quickly developed hands that could tolerate hot tins and bread. And of course that smell, fantastic, and many a time we would pull open a hot loaf and lash on the fresh butter.