Letters Page

Dear John and Sally

(Re: Protection of Artisan Foods)

With reference to your Jaw Jaw article (Megabytes Vol 3 Issue 7) - the same thing happened to Mary Moran from Kilgarvan who used to supply us with fresh ducks - if they didn't spend 20,000 pounds to upgrade their facility two years ago they would have to close. Luckily for them (not for us and all the other hotels they supplied) they decided to close because the Foot and Mouth disease would have seriously affected them. Now we import our ducks!

Regards, Adriaan Bartels General Manager Sheen Falls Lodge

*Please supply us with the names of any artisans in your area who have ceased production due to obstructive and nonsensical intervention by local EHO's. How do the authorities expect us to eat local foods if they keep on closing down local producers?

Dear John and Sally

(Re: Protection of Artisan Foods)

Why isn't there a protocol for artisan protection - a definition of artisan, then a protocol...?

Giana

*This is something which the Slow Food Ark is trying to answer (see story above about the first Irish food on the Ark). The criteria for inclusion in the Ark are very rigorous, but can be boiled down to the fact that a food is a regional speciality which is under threat: there are many such foods in Ireland, ranging from blood puddings to raw milk cheeses to farmer-reared and slaughtered beef and lamb. Whilst Dr Pat Wall and his team in the Food Safety Authority have expressed concern about the failure to protect artisan foods in a practical way, the fact remains that EHO's are able to do pretty much whatever they like, with their interpretation of legislation virtually beyond challenge.

Dear John and Sally

(Re: Searching for Good Things)

In response to that letter asking about Onion Powder I too was looking for the same thing. I've found a few recipes off the web and it seems to feature more in the American recipes. I bought Onion Salt so here's hoping it tastes ok! Also you were wondering what to use it in, it's one of the ingredients in a dry rub marinade for meat. But I'm still waiting for a day to get the barbeque out to try it out :-)

Marcia, Rathfarnham

*Hope you managed to get the barbie out sometime in September, Marcia

Dear John and Sally

(Re: Searching for Good Things)

I cannot find anyone here in Wicklow or surroundings that sells Wyborowa Vodka (see Megabytes Vol 3, issue 7) and I have to buy my Russian Vodka in London or Europe (virtually impossible to get except Stolynicnaya and even that's quite hard here in Wicklow). Where can we get the wonderful Polish and also Pernod Ricard are agents for Zubrowka bison grass Polish: also impossible to get - any suggestions?

Michael Leonard, Ashford

*We would love to hear from folks in the drinks industry who might be able to point Michael in the direction of some spiffing vodka, either as a source themselves or who know of any stockists.

Dear John and Sally

(Re: Searching for Good Things)

I see Bernadette O'Shea mentioned in your kitchen article. Can you tell me what this wonderful cook is up to at the minute? Many's the time we drove from Belfast to Sligo to have her Irish cheese board pizza! I was through Sligo two weeks ago and got hit by a great wave of nostalgia for her pizza and cheesecake. Her skill is much missed.

Angela

*We think it is fair to say that Sligo has never gotten over Bernadette's decision to stand back from the business, but at least Sligo had the chance for 6 years to enjoy some of the most sensationally original food ever cooked in Ireland. Bernadette is still chilling out, living in County Sligo, and keeping well.

Dear John and Sally

(Re: Searching for Good Things)

Thank you very much for your guide for good fish mongers. And as I am Japanese, I love fish and it's really good to know where we can buy good fish. By the way, I would like to ask you one question, regarding fish. As well as we Japanese, lots of Mediterreanean people eat octopus. Can I not get octopus in Ireland at all? It would be great if you could help me.

Thanks, Yuko

*Leslie Williams answers: Kish Fish have a shop (plus their HQ) on Bow Street near Smithfield and they do have have octopus for sale fairly often but it is best to phone in advance - Tel: 872 8211. Hope that helps, Leslie

Dear John and Sally

(Re: Searching for Good Things)

Any ideas where I can get the French chocolate Valrhona in Ireland? Had some for the first time during a visit to the USA and haven't ever tasted anything like it.

thanks, Jackie

*Valrhona chocolate is distributed in Ireland, and you can often find it in wine shops throughout Dublin. Lookout also for the fab Cluizel chocolate which is brought in by Terroirs of Donnybrook.

Dear John and Sally

(Re: Recipe Search )

I really want to try your recipe but I do not know where you can buy tuna rillettes. Please would you email me and tell me where I can get this from,

thanks. Laura Hemingway

* Laura, we think you must mean the recipe we ran some months back for Tuna Rillettes. It's from Jill Norman's definitive 'The New Penguin Cookery Book'. Serving four, you take a 200g can of tuna, crumble it with a fork or whiz briefly in a food processor. Turn into a bowl and add the juice of 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons double cream or crème fraîche, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon chopped dill, half teaspoon paprika and salt and freshly ground pepper. And there you have it. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, and serve with toast, black olives and capers.

Dear John and Sally

(Re: Restaurant Search )

I am looking to propose to my girlfriend in Ireland and ideally would love to do it in a castle, preferably one with a maze garden which is part of my proposal plan. Any chance of recommending anywhere?

*Okay all you Megabytes romantics: what about an answer here! A castle with a maze, and the maze is part of the proposal plan. intriguing.

Dear John and Sally

(Re: Restaurant Search )

We are a family of 5 with 3 children aged 4, 7 and 10. I would be very grateful if you could recommend a Farmhouse where we could stay, where the kids could learn about life on the farm and maybe get a bit involved. Any information appreciated.

Thanks a lot , John

*We would suggest the splendid Annagh Lodge, in Coolbawn, Co Tipperary, a working farm which kids in particular love to bits, thanks to all the crazy farm animals with attitude. Check out www.annaghlodge.com

Dear John and Sally

(Re: Restaurant Search )

Can you suggest 2 or 3 restaurants in Dublin where I can take a priest friend to dinner when I'm visiting? I would appreciate it. Also, are (will) your books be available at Kenny's in Galway?

M Kelly, Maine

* There are frequently members of the clergy in les Freres Jacques on Dame Street, so that's a starter. Otherwise, The Tea Room in the Clarence Hotel would be good, also Jacob's Ladder might make a member of the clergy feel right at home. Kenny's have sold our Bridgestone Guides for many years now: just ask Tom.

Dear John and Sally

(Re: Restaurant Search )

Constantly use your guides. Just had a beautiful lunch today in Preston Cafe in Abbeyleix. Lovely fresh and tasty food and plenty of beautiful fluffy boiled potatoes!! A group of friends (10) have planned an autumn break in Ghan House in Carlingford. We plan to eat in the restaurant one night. I have been assigned the job of booking a restaurant for the other night. The brief I have been given - great food/service and atmosphere without breaking the bank! Not too far from Ghan house (i.e walking distance if possible!) Any suggestions greatfully received.

Kind regards Brona

*Well Brona, Captain Corelli's Italian restaurant is a popular spot, but there is also the Kingfisher bistro, just around the corner from Ghan in the D'Arcy Magee centre. Either should fit the bill nicely, and don't rule out the fun Oystercatcher Bistro, then a few drinks in PJ O'Hare's.

Dear John and Sally

(Re: Happy Customers and Readers Recommendations )

We have just returned from a weekend in Buggys Glencairn. It was everything you said great rooms and wonderful food. We particularly appreciated the 'no smoking' bedrooms - so refreshing. Looking forward to trying some of your other recommendations but we'll definitely be back to Buggys.

Regards John and Pauline Breen

*Can't say it better than that.

Dear John and Sally

(Re: Happy Customers and Readers Recommendations )

love yr guide, please include The Old Stand Mullingar which has a huge great quality selection of wines, it would complement yr good selection of Cana and The Wines Direct. yrs Fiona Bellingham

*Thanks Fiona: that's a port of call next time we're motoring through the Midlands

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