Having heard great things about the Cafe at Woodfield Garden Centre in Birr, I was delighted to get an opportunity to visit for lunch earlier this week. Woodfield is located on the Tullamore Road out of Birr, on the right hand side just after passing ALDI.
McCambridges is a food shopping mecca located at 38/39 Shop Street in the heart of Galway City. In 2012, McCambridges added a restaurant to the fold opening Upstairs at McCambridges so it is now an all round foodie destination. And what a destination it is! The shop is great for deli items, sauces, jams, chocolate, fresh breads, vegetables, cheeses, interesting wines and craft beers. You can also get takeaway lunches (soup, sandwiches, salads, hot items (pies, quiches etc) and coffees. The restaurant upstairs is a beautiful space. It is open for breakfast Mon – Sat from 9am to 11.30am. It serves an All Day menu from Mon – Wed from 12pm to 5.30pm (last orders 5pm) and from Thurs – Sat from 12pm to 8pm. It serves brunch on Sunday from 10.30am to 6pm (last orders 5.30pm). Tables can be reserved from 5pm onwards.
Many of us make a real effort to travel far and wide to see well known tourist attractions, historical buildings and great views. Yet many of us have places close to home that would fall into these categories that we may not have visited at all. Sometimes it’s good to be a tourist in your own county. I became that tourist recently when I visited Cashel in my home county of Tipperary.
I am not a cyclist. I do not own a bicycle. In fact, I cannot remember the last time I was on a bicycle. However, I really wanted to cycle the Great Western Greenway from Achill to Westport. All 42km of it. In one go… Many of my friends (particularly those well aware of my level of fitness) were kind when they told me I was being a little ambitious. Of course, that made me determined to do it. The 42km long Greenway is the longest off-road cycling (or walking) trail in Ireland. It follows the old Westport to Achill railway line. It passes through Mulranny and Newport and some of the most beautiful views in Ireland can be seen along the way.
Aniar Restaurant on Dominic Street, Galway was awarded a Michelin Star in 2012. I had visited it twice prior to the award and last week visited it for the first time since it acquired the star. I really enjoyed my first visit. My starter of Pork Cheek was truly sublime and was certainly the best dish I have had at Aniar. That first visit I had Slip Sole for Main Course and a parfait for dessert. All in all, I left after that visit enthusing about the place. The second visit was also enjoyable though I though I chose badly for my starter, a chicken liver parfait – not something I would usually pick – it wasn’t to my taste though it was well executed. My Duck main and another parfait for dessert were very nice. Although not enthusing as much as I had following my first visit, I left looking forward to returning again. And now to my latest visit. I was really looking forward to seeing the impact of the Michelin Star and …
As I am constantly on the lookout for the next “best” coffee in Galway, I noticed with interest the soft opening of a new cafe – The Jungle Cafe – at the Go Dutch florist on Forster Street, Galway. The cafe will serve food but began by serving takeaway coffees only for its first week. The coffee used is from boutique coffee roasting company Badger and Dodo from Fermoy, Co. Cork. This is a company who pride themselves on the quality and freshness of their product and who carefully vet each new establishment before supplying them – ensuring there is an experienced barista in place. A superb takeaway cappuccino was enjoyed there this week and I look forward to sampling their food offerings (and more of their coffee menu) when they are up and running. Watch this space!!!
