Letters Page

Dear John and Sally....

I took your advice on Dublin's Bangkok Cafe ... and I understand it has received your "nod" for the past three years ... I can't see where you are coming from ... it's grotty (unless you're looking for some sort of bamboo chic), badly ventilated (had to leave) and the food ... I dunno ... maybe Mo was on a night off?! Have you tried Pordylo's in Kilkenny?

*Opinion divides on the Bangkok quite considerably, especially regarding the 1970's Rathmines bedsit decor, with the proviso that the food is usually right on the money when Mo is cooking, but we shall check it again, and again if need be. Pordylo's is on our Kilkenny hit list, many thanks for the recommendation.

Dear John and Sally....

Complements We are Brass Band instrumentalists that based in Africa Lagos. Through the search to your Webster and the help of Harper's & Queen Magazine, we try to locate your address. We are energetic young men that plays this kind of brass instrument like
1. Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpets, clarinet and Drums like.
2. Bass Drum, Tenor drum and other drums.
We are highly organised, trainable and adjust to all types of environment and work well in undertakings with other employee and in complete harmony with management. Some of our instrumentalists do travel abroad for concert, even some of our trumpeters were at the last world cup finals in the U.S supporting Nigerian players. Given the opportunity I would consider if a privilege to contribute our enthusiasm reliability, integrity and perseverance to fulfil the job requirement necessary to meet your specification by being part of the entertainment.

*Any one planning a summer wedding surely needs these estimable chaps for their marquee entertainment! If you need a brass band from Lagos, and can afford them, get in touch with us and we will forward their details. Megabytes and harper Queen magazine, now there's a curious pairing!

Dear John and Sally....

Hi, I have a few questions that you might be able to help me with. Do you know if there is a weekly market (organic/artisan foods) in Bantry Co. Cork - I have heard some reports that it is annual & others that it is weekly. Also, do you know of any other such markets in the Dublin or Cork area? Finally, do you know of a course in Dublin - either an evening course or full time course - that would be similar to the Ballymaloe 12 week course? Many thanks in advance and thanks also for the wonderful emails that you send!

*We hope to run a full guide to Irish cookery courses next month in Megabytes, so you will have lots of time to gear up for autumn courses, but to be honest there is no direct equivalent of the Ballymaloe certificate course. The Bantry Market takes place at 11am at the Boy's Club on the Glengariff Road. Most Cork markets take place also on Friday mornings: full details of them all are given in the current edition of the Bridgestone Irish Food Guide, as are details of the Dublin markets, the optimum of which are the Dublin Organic Co-Op and the Temple Bar Markets.

Dear John and Sally....

Mega thanks for MegaBytes. Perhaps you can help me with a couple of things. Firstly, I'm tired of eating pork that tastes like battery chicken.. i.e of absolutely nothing. Do you know of any suppliers of free-range and/or organic pork and pork products available in my area (I'm in Ennis) or by mail-order? I've searched the net but to no avail. Also, is the Country Market in Ennis still in existence and, if so, do you have a contact phone number or e-mail address? If you could help with either of these queries I'd be much obliged.

*For good pork, contact Andrew Stirling at the wonderful Annagh Lodge, Tipperary, to organise buying a delicious porker. The best way to get into the pork groove is to get to know an organic producer and to buy direct from them for your freezer. Andrew is at 067-24225. As far as we know, the Country Market in Ennis kicks off at 8.30am on Friday mornings in the Friary Hall: the best way to check a local contact number is through the Country Markets Association, tel: (01) 668 4784

Dear John and Sally....

I travel with my job around Ireland, and have recently stayed in Belfast. I have your book which I frequently use as a reference . I would like to recommend the recently opened Bed & Breakfast I stayed in during my visit to Belfast. It is called ALL SEASONS B&B and it is located at 356 Lisburn Road Belfast. It is in an ideal location and the rooms are superb. They are all ensuite and there is excellent private parking. It is by far the best B/B I have ever stayed in and at reasonable prices - friendly atmosphere and the breakfast is first class.

*Many thanks for that. All notices about hot new places to stay gratefully received at Megabytes. All Seasons. Four Seasons. Where will it all end...?

Email your letters to letters@bridgestoneguides.com