Tuck into best of Wild Atlantic Way
so the latest tome from the McKennas’ Guides stable, Where to Eat and Stay on the Wild Atlantic Way, by John and Sally McKenna, is nigh essential for any tummy-led tourist, featuring more than 350 entries detailing the very best places to eat and stay on this magnificent route, beginning with the excellent Pyke’n’Pommes food cart in Derry all the way down to local hero Martin Shanahan’s Fishy Fishy in Kinsale. The interactive guide follows later in the year, www.guides.ie
Westside citizens of The Menu’s Wonderful Home by the Lee will surely rejoice at news that Rupert Hugh-Jones, mastermind behind the superb Mahon Point and Douglas Farmers’ Markets, is to launch a new one at Wilton Shopping Centre to include McCarthy Natural Dairies, Glenilen, Panna Breads, Arbutus Breads, Rocketman, Green Saffron, Lolo, Golden Bean, Fumagalli’s, Bean Brownies, My Goodness raw foods, Fiona Burke Cheeses, Mealagulla Orchards, Teresa Barry’s Organic Veg, Volcano Pizza … the list goes on but The Menu must pause to mop his brow and fix himself a quick repast, www.facebook/wiltonfarmersmarket
While The Menu is rather lukewarm on the whole Hallmark Holiday industry, he is prepared to grin and bear it if it means he gets to sample Kelly’s Resort Hotel & Spa’s Father’s Day wine case selection offer from their very wonderful cellar (email: wine@kellys.ie; www.kellys.ie). He makes his annual pilgrimage to the Cork Summer Show this weekend to check out the livestock and cooking demos from the wonderful Lilly Higgins, Ali Honour, of Bakestone Café and Masterchef winner Diana Dodog (www.corksummershow.com). The Menu’s beloved Temple of the Grape, L’Atitude 51 continue an entertaining summer programme with a sips, snacks and screening of wine classic Sideways (June 18) and a Taste of Tuscany (June 20) featuring wines, olive oils, charcuterie and cheeses of renowned Tuscan producers Tenuta Torre a Cenaia. (www.latitude51.ie). Congratulations to The West Bar, Westport, All-Ireland Chowder Champions, at the 2013 Kinsale-based championship, who’ve done the Oul’ Sod proud by winning this year’s 33rd Great Chowder Cook-Off, in Newport, Rhode Island, US. Kinsale Good Food Circle have a one-day only Lobster Madness sale (June 21) whereby the august crustacean is available for a mere €20 and, finally, a very tidy offer from El Vino at the Elysian to stump up for two hours secure parking immediately adjacent to the restaurant if you dine there on any day after 6pm (including a 3-courser for a mere 25 bucks!), www.elvino.ie
First drawn to quails’ eggs on foot of purported medical benefits, The Menu has remained faithful ‘er since. Coturnix produce very fine examples of these charming little eggy taste bombs, most enjoyable, soft-boiled with lentils and crisp-fried Woodside Farm lardons. Brendan Ross, Tel: 087-2065067.
Galvins, Bradleys, Carry Out Off-Licences, World Wide Wines, Redmonds, Baggot Street Wines, Martins Fairview, Simons Place Wexford.
Tempted? Ciders is one of the best of the craft cider producers to have emerged in recent years. All their apples are sourced in on the island of Ireland.
Pure fresh apple ciders ferments a little too dry for most palates so it is common to add a small amount of fresh juice to soften the flavour. For this cider they have added some locally sourced strawberries, just enough to soften the palate.
— Leslie Williams
