Let the games begin.

First off a mince pie so big that my father called me all sorts of names for taking a whole one to try out. Yes it is almost the size of that saucer. Let the first pound of butter go right on the top of my head.

These are made by the ever fantastic Superquinn, who this year are doing 3 different types of mince pies.  Continue reading »

Rehearsals for the panto are in full swing at the moment so I have been doing a spot of batch cooking to keep up with posts on the blog.  If your hoping to come along to the show, it starts on December 11th and runs right through to the end of January.  But according to inside sources the tickets are going pretty quick, so make sure to get your tickets early!  Continue reading »

Woo hoo I'm off to sunny Greece on Saturday, well it won't be that sunny but warmer than our beloved  Ireland that's for sure. The boys have been invited to screen their last film at the Camera Zizanio Film Festival in Pyrgos, on the West Coast. We went to the same festival last year, for a week (lucky us) and we had an amazing time. The boys got to hang out and do animation workshops with cool Greek teenagers.  Continue reading »

An typo made its way into my piece on The Old Convent published in today’s Irish Times Christmas Supplement so I would just like to clarify that The Old Convent offers two nights B&B and one eight-course dinner for two people for just €450.
For more details check their website or contact them directly (Tel: 052 65565 Email: info@theoldconvent.ie).  Continue reading »

Watch out for the Christmas Supplement in today’s Irish Times – I wrote a piece on Christmas present ideas for your favourite foodie and it is supposed to be in the paper today….  Continue reading »

If you feel in need of a Winter treat, head to Gastropub in Dun Laoghaire where you have a main course from the set menu and a ticket to the nearby IMC cinema for €20, Monday-Thursday.What better way to reward yourself for battling through all the nasty wind and rain??
We both had pork belly with star anise apple and potato puree….YUM!!!  Continue reading »

Vino Obra Roble 2006 Ribera del Duero
One of the new Spanish wines that Thomas Woodberries have recently added to their list. I was really looking forward to trying this wine as I really do not taste as much wine from Ribera as I should.
For those of you not hugely familiar with Spanish Geography Ribera del Duero is a wine region near the centre of Spain. It has in recent times become a hugely popular wine region based on good scores from famous wine critics such as Robert Parker.  Continue reading »

I come from a slightly unusual family for many reasons, the biggest this time of year is our love for Christmas food. I know its coming up to Christmas normally not by the decorations in shops in September or even the fact that it is September but by my parents already having mince pies in the house for after tea.  Continue reading »

Another beer brought over to my place on Saturday (cheers Séan) was Meantime London Pale Ale. As it happens, I bought a bottle of it on my last trip to Sainsbury’s, so I’ve had well more than my fair share of this recently, and it’s one that warrants repeat visits.
A straight-up honest half-litre bottle contains a slightly hazy orange beer at 4.3% ABV. The head forms tight and lasting, with zesty fruity aromas ascending from beneath.  Continue reading »

This was supposed to be a review of Rodenbach Gran Cru but when I opened the bottle it smelled of vinegar and was as flat as…………..something really flat.
So, I rooted in my ‘cellar’ and found a bottle of Hilden Ale that I had picked up at Septemberfest and after giving it a light chill cracked it open.

It had a nice colour and a nice fine carbonation which seemed very promising.  Continue reading »

OK it’s official, Christmas has arrived! And it’s only November! I know people give out about the festivities starting earlier each year, but to be honest it doesn’t bother me. I’m not afraid to say it, I LOVE CHRISTMAS AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES WITH IT! Partly because of the presents, partly because of the tree, but mainly because there is no other day in the year that the focus is so intensely on FOOD!  Continue reading »

I love Heroes, the TV show that is. It’s so exciting and intricate. You can just imagine that Peter Petrelli, with one flick of his wrist, could do the dishes, the ironing, the weekly shop and walk the dog and still have the energy to make a romantic three course meal, any male who can do that has got to be a keeper.  Continue reading »

I made a quick trip over to Paris last weekend for my friend, G’s 21st birthday. It was fantastic and also a super break from all the study!
I promised myself I’d be much better this time and take millions of foodie photos….and I did try!!
On Friday night we were treated to dinner in a lovely restaurant called Le Jardin D’Ivy which is on Rue Moufftard in the Latin Quarter.  Continue reading »

Hi there! Thanksgiving is almost upon us and in all my excitement, anticipation and just plain hullaballoo, I wanted to take a moment to find out what you’re doing for Thanksgiving.
Chew on That wants to know: What’s on your Thanksgiving menu? How many people are you feeding?Are you going to a potluck and if so, what are you bringing?
Please share your Thanksgiving plans in the comments!

As for me, we’re having 16 people at our house. Aunts, uncles, cousins, you name it.  Continue reading »

On Sunday Im going to New York for a few days of eating, shopping and sightseeing in that order.
Any recommendations you can give would be fantastic. Of course any recommendations that are given will be duly reported on in detail from over there.  Continue reading »

I got this information through a friend. Paul Flynn from the Tannery in Waterford will be re-launching his cookbook at Vibes & Scribes on Sunday at 4pm in the branch in Lavitt’s Quay. Wine is offered and Paul will be there to sign his book and talk about his restaurant and I bet you can catch one or two tips from him.

The Tannery is Caz & Jan’s favourite restaurant, I haven’t been there yet so I think I will start with the wine tasting on Sunday.  Continue reading »

yay, Im alive!  Continue reading »

Ah, come on… who doesn’t love Slade at this time of year? I’m well and truly in the xmas spirit this year. And it’s creeping up fast, only 29 days to Santa comes. As I said earlier, I’m going to put some recipes and ideas up for the best Christmas dinner ever.And to kick things off it’s the starter. The opener for the best dinner of the year. It’s important, I think, that it’s not a big dish.  Continue reading »

 Here’s something for the holidays – a sorbet that works well as a sorbet course, a dessert, or an alternative partner to the turkey. Cranberries are tart and beguiling – an explosion of Christmas flavour, and the sorbet is the same.
If you want to add a bit of orange, you can do so by substituting 150 ml orange juice for 150 ml water.  Continue reading »

A GERMANCHRISTMAS.Hannah Scharf, Philip Dennhardt& Master-baker Thomas Hueneburgwilltell their stories and present their specialities.Hannah Heubach will bring her traditional decorations.
Taste Lebkuchen, Stollen, Biernenbrot and many other Christmas cakes & biscuitsCrawford Art Gallery CaféThursday 27th Nov at 7.30pmEntrance 6 euro including tea or coffee.  Continue reading »