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CAFÉ ANRAITH

CAFÉ ANRAITH

Fresh, handmade and local. That is the motto for Café Anraith in Cork’s English Market.

The Market itself was buzzing this Saturday morning, particularly busy at On the Pig’s Back and also upstairs in the Farmgate Cafe.

Needing a coffee boost, we headed for this comfortable little spot that uses the Irish language a good deal, at least in its literature. Anraith by the way means soup or broth.

We were after coffee and scones and it cost us a reasonable €6.60 for a pair of each. The Gaggia coffee was fine as were the scones and so too was the service. So it was a couple of refreshed and pleased customers that left after a nice sos beag (little break).

THE PANTRY 21.02.11
The Pantry is a cafe, bakery and foodstore in Midleton. It is not the biggest of places but is clean and comfortable and has a well stocked foodie shop with everything from Jim Beam Teriyaki Marinade to Donegal Rapeseed Oil, from the French Lorina Cloudy Lemonade to Cahir’s Sparkling Apple Juice.
Thought I was in for some good basic food when I ordered my Ardsallagh Goats Cheese with Oven roasted vegetables and Pesto Bruschetta, set on Crisp Leaves and a balsamic Reduction. I got quite a surprise for my €8.95.
And that surprise started with the high class presentation, the food laid out neatly, almost in the form of a star. The food itself was top class. The leaves were crispy and the Bruschetta tasty with the pesto while the vegetables (mainly peppers and red onions) were perfectly done, a gorgeous match for well known local cheese.
Service was calm and friendly and considerate. Desserts, a Rhubarb Crumble and a Beard and Butter Pudding, were also very good and also well presented. Couldn't have asked for more. This was top class, five star stuff.
Our table was very close to the shelves full of mainly local artisan food and we helped ourselves to some (including the Karmine Apple Juice and some chutney from Janet’s Country Fayre) on the way out.
The cafe is open from 8.00am until 6.30pm and is situated at Distillery Walk, Midleton, 021 4633335, info@thepantrymidleton.com.
They know what they are doing here. When the plates come out, you see that they also love what they are doing. Well worth a visit if you’re in the area!

THE PANTRY
Met some friendly people at The Pantry Stall during the weekend’s Midleton Food Festival. The Pantry serves breakfast and lunch, open from 9.00 until 5.30pm. They are also proud of their foodstore where they stock all kinds of goodies from jams to homemade meals.
I spotted a particular apple juice on the stand but was looking for a larger size and a young lady obligingly ran across to the actual restaurant to check for me. As I say, they were friendly and I really appreciated that extra effort. As it turned out, they didn't have the size but I bought two of the smaller ones and left with a very good impression.
www.thepantrymidleton.com
021 4633335

FENNS QUAY (18.02.11)
FENNS QUAY: MICHELIN RECOMMENDED
FENNS QUAY

Slaney Valley Lamb

The folks at Fenns Quay, including Head Chef Kate Lawlor, were delighted last week to receive their confirmation letter that they were again on the Michelin recommended list. It is a well deserved recommendation as we discovered, not for the first time, last Friday night.

We had a little celebrating to do ourselves and having enjoyed a similar occasion there last year had no qualms about going there again. Indeed, we were looking forward to it after a miserable wet day.

Started off with a couple of glasses of their lively Prosecco and nibbled on their excellent breads while waiting for our main coursers. The main menu here is enlivened by daily specials and these are always worth considering.

I picked from the day’s list and was very happy indeed that I did. The dish was: Chargrilled Tuna with Rustic Potatoes, roast flat cup mushrooms and cannellini bean compote (24.95). Sometimes Tuna can be a bit on the dry side but not here. It was perfectly cooked and the mushroom and compote, not forgetting the moderately spiced potatoes, gave it a perfect balance.

My wife picked her main dish from the regular list and it was: Chargrilled “Slaney Valley” Lamb chump with spiced roast potatoes and a cassoulet of vegetables and a mint pesto (22.50). The tender pieces of lamb were again cooked to perfection, just as ordered, and again the veg and pesto were spot on to give a very tempting and tasty ensemble.

Dessert then. Nothing overly exciting in the Warm Apple sponge with Vanilla Crème Anglaise. But it still needs to be done well and this was. Very satisfying indeed.

It was a busy night in the city centre venue, full up from about eight on, but service was friendly and relaxed and efficient as we’ve come to expect! Our dishes came off the a la carte menu but there is also a very good value Supper Menu available. And don't forget those specials at this excellent restaurant which opens early in the morning and doesn't close until late.

Drinks:
Domaine d’Angayrac Costieres de Nimes 2008 (€5.50 glass). Dark fruit with liquorice and spice, great value house wine.
Oremus Tokaji Aszu 5 puttonyos 2000 (7.95)
FENN’S QUAY (01.10.10)
Fenn’s Quay joined in the current French Food Fest by adding some Gallic items to their menus. And head chef Kate Lawlor did it with a class and expertise that would be hard to beat. Called there between stops on the Culture trail on Friday night and each course was a highlight.
Had quite a few Duck confits in the Dordogne this summer but the version served up by Fenn’s Quay was excellent, beating anything that came our way in Sarlat. High quality meat perfectly cooked and so well matched with red cabbage and a red wine sauce and served with a sweet potato mash, it was superb.
Dessert, Tarte aux Pruneaux, was also a winner. Served with cream, it was so well baked, so tasty and moist. Something that any top French patisserie would be delighted to produce.
Actually skipped the French opener, a chicken liver pate, in favour of the Warm Chicken Salad. Sounds ordinary enough, doesn’t it? But I can tell you that this delightful mix was far from ordinary. A brilliant start to yet another top class meal in Fenn’s Quay.

Summary:
Laurenz V Friendly Gruner Veltliner 2008 €5.95 per glass
El Coto Crianza Rioja 2006 €7.50 per glass
3 course supper menu €27.50

FENN’S QUAY 26.07.10
Enjoyed a superb wine dinner in Fenns Quay last evening, the Sicilian wines coming from Villa Tonino via Liberty Wines.
First wine up was an Inzolia 2009, bright and light and very cool, very appropriate on such a heavy evening and an agreeable accompaniment to the Bruschetta starter.
Next wine was a Grillo 2009. Didn't make friends with this instantly but by the end, thought it had a bit more to it than the Inzolia. In any event, it went down very well with a magnificent Mackerel pate with pickled vegetables.
And then came the principal plate, the Osso Bucco with spiced rustic potatoes, now almost a signature dish at Fenn’s Quay. Just magnificent. And we had three reds to choose from here.
Number One, the Nero D’Avola 2008, was the lighter, “a modern version of this classic southern Italian grape variety”. It was probably too light for the meat and indeed Victoria Curatolo, who was guiding us through the family wines, hinted that it could well be drunk on its own and even chilled down a bit on a hot day.
I had no doubt that the second red, Baglio Curatolo Nero D’Avola 2007, was the one to go with the Osso Bucco. This was much stronger all round with plum being the dominant feature according to the notes. A really smashing wine to go with red meat.
The third red, the Baglio Curatolo Syrah 2007, was also deep in colour with just a hint of the normal expected spice. Victoria was rating it highly, against both its New World and even French rivals. Not convinced about that but I do have a few bottles now (won the raffle) to try it further.
And I’ll also be trying the Marsala Superiore Riserva NV. This is made by fortifying the local grapes with white grape spirit in the traditional way and you end up with an ABV of 18%. This accounts for no less than half the production at Tonino and Victoria recommended it be eaten with aged cheese.
At home, they keep it in the fridge and always drink it chilled but “it is up to yourself”. The Sicilians also like to drink it with the “Queen’s Biscuits”. Victoria thoughtfully brought some with her and they proved quite a match, especially if dunked in the wine.
The meals are always terrific in Fenns Quay and we finished off with a superb dessert: an Almond tart, lemon cream and fresh strawberries. Well done to the Fenns Quay crew (excellent hosts), to Villla Tonino and Liberty Wines for bringing it all together.

FENN’S QUAY 07.05.10
Fenn's Quay, for quite a while now, have been offering early birds and supper menus. What could they offer now for Dine-in-Cork Week? Got the superb answer last evening, supplied in some style by Head Chef Kate Lawlor and her crew who gave classy value for each of our twenty five hundred cents.
Six starters plus two specials posed the first choice. Had a warm chicken salad with crispy potato skins and a sweet chilli dressing. A day previously I had enjoyed a warm chicken salad at an out of town venue and it was fine. But this was a whole class ahead. Superb also was our other starter, a Smoked Mackerel (by Frank Hederman) Pate, with toasted breads and pickled vegetables.
The advisor ordered the grilled plaice with colcannon, butternut squash and celeriac and it was another winner. I too hit the jackpot with my Escalope of Marinated Irish Chicken breast with herbed basmati rice, shredded vegetables and a cool raita dipping sauce, an international combination that felt just right in this old corner of Cork.
Kate’s cousin Kevin Crowley had been tweeting all and sundry all week that their Rhubarb and mascarpone tart with a chocolate biscuit base was a winner. We are using our own rhubarb at the moment. But we trusted him, we still do. It was absolutely superb, beautifully cooked and well presented.
Enjoyed the meal and the coffee that followed. Oh, by the way, Kevin is the wine expert of the trio that run Fenn’s Quay, cousin Kate and partner Pennapa are the other two, and we wanted sometime tangly and tingly and so choose the Cantosan Verjedo 2008 from Spain. Blurb says “delicious fresh flavours of zingy pineapples with touch of peach.” I got the latter while Kevin himself said pineapples. As I say, he is the expert. In any case, it was tangly and tingly.
So no argument there and no argument whatsoever that this was delightful meal, one of the best we’ve had during a busy Dine-in-Cork Week. It was very busy on this Friday at Fenn’s Quay but there was no sign of stress at all as the crew, including our smiling April, kept the show going with their usual efficiency and friendliness, not to mention the classy food.
No wonder Fenn’s Quay will be well up on our list when the Dine-in-Cork experience is repeated in the autumn. QUAY 01.04.10
Fenn’s Quay is well known for the quality of its food but today I start by praising its wine. Kevin Crowley knows his and puts in a big effort to provide his customers with quality and value when it comes to having a drink with a meal.

Last evening, we choose a Chilean Viu Manent Malbec to go with our Ossa Bucco (braised beef in this case). Delighted with it and, in the low 20s, it was good value as were the recent reds there, which included Cave de Tain Syrah VDP 2006 (from the Rhone Valley and now the house red) and previously the Spanish Bodegas Castano Monastrell 2007 Yecla and that is just to name a few off the lower end of a very impressive list indeed.

We started off last evening with a tomato and roast pepper soup. The Braised Beef shin was accompanied by a tomato and red wine sauce. It smelled good as it came to the table and was just gorgeous, falling away from the bone and just like your granny (your Irish granny) used to make it.

Desserts were excellent, both specials. I had an almond tart under a juicy mound of strawberries and the other dessert was a well done Bread and Butter Pudding.

I mentioned specials there. The website does show the regular meals but the choice here is much bigger, with specials added every evening to both the Supper (27.50 for 3 courses) and the a al carte Menus.

Once again, another enjoyable evening at Fenn’s Quay. Atmosphere is always nice and relaxed and the service friendly and efficient.

FENN’S QUAY 19.02.10
Very enjoyable and top class from start to finish. We lingered over every tasty morsel as we ate and sipped our way through close on three delightful hours in Fenns Quay last night.
Drank a Kir while studying the extensive menus, the a la carte, the set menu and the long list of specials. Then, after a sip or two, stopped reading to concentrate on the Kir as it was perhaps the very best we’ve come across in decades.
Sipped away until the mains arrived. Had been told that the Chargrilled Slaney Valley Lamb Chump with roast vegs in an olive and tomato sauce with curried roast potatoes was “massive”. It lived up to expectations, a gorgeous piece of meat, cooked to perfection as were the veg and potatoes.
Though 100 per cent happy with mine, I couldn't help glancing to the other dish: Baked Monkfish with flat cup mushrooms, roast parsnips, rustic potato's and a butternut squash puree. The advisor would have been thrilled with the fish itself but again the accompaniments were also spot on.

The restaurant serves quite a few wines by the glass and I choose Cave de Tain Syrah 2006 to go with the lamb. It is the current house red and a superb example of the type from the northern Rhône. San Giorgio Pinot-Grigio 2008, light and crisp with a good flavour, went well with the fish.

Then on to the desserts, one described as Homemade strawberry jelly with vanilla ice cream strawberry jelly, an understatement, as this was a delicious pot of pureed strawberries, just gorgeous.
I too enjoyed my Bread and butter pudding with custard but I must tell you that I had a glass of Oremus Tokaji Aszu 5 puttonyos 2000 with it and that was a shared highlight. Even the tiniest sip of this nectar of the gods made all the sensors of the mouth and nose sit up and take notice as it reverberated gently around, lingering a long pleasurable while.

FENNS QUAY
Enjoyed an excellent “Early Dinner” at Fenns Quay Friday night. They live up to their “simple philosophy”: use only the best produce from the best local suppliers and treat it with care and attention to detail.
The attention starts the moment you walk in as the service is friendly, professional and discreet. The early dinner offer is a 3 course meal for €27.50.
Started with a tasty tomato and brie pot. Mains was venison in a terrific sauce with vegetables, almost like a stew, and we finished off with a melt in the mouth lemon pot with caramelised pears, accompanied by a blackberry sorbet.
Fenns Quay has a good wine list, quite a few by the glass, and we really enjoyed the Spanish Bodegas Castano Monastrell 2007. Aside from the Early Dinner menu, you can also go a la carte and both menus are supplemented by regular specials, all very tempting! For the season thats in it, there is also a Christmas menu.

THE RISING TIDE 04.02.11
Enjoyed a terrific meal at Glounthaune’s Rising Tide Brasserie on Friday night. Quality local produce featured strongly across the menus and must say that their early Bird (2 course for €20.00, 3 for €25.00) is top class and fantastic value).

I was on the al a carte and herself, her allowance cut, was on the Early Bird! But it was no punishment – I’ll have to think of something else.

Her starter was just fantastic. Two generous rings of Jack McCarthy Wild Boar Black Pudding (€6.95) and served with cider apple & seasonal leaves. A brilliant combination and an absolutely well balanced starter.

She followed that with the Rich Seafood Pie (€14.95), with monkfish, smoked haddock, cod & salmon in a leek sauce topped with creamed mashed potato. There was nice thin piped potato crust on the top but over 90 per cent was fish, fish, fantastic fish.

She was very happy and so was I. My starter was the House Speciality: Rising Tide Mussels (€8.50). There are three versions and I went for them steamed in a white wine and cream sauce. Mussels were excellent and just as well there was a spoon there for the wickedly tempting sauce.

Chef Patrick Kiely had a board full of specials up and I picked Kanturk man Jack McCarthy’s Pork Rack (€21.95) with mustard and brandy sauce and sun-dried tomato and potato mash.

Two serious chops, done to perfection, challenged me to do my worst and, yes, I wiped the plate clean. Pork Chops might not sound too exciting but put McCarthy and chef Kiely together and you get a top class dish.

No room for dessert but we did finish off the wine, quite decent ones too at the price: San Elias Sauvignon Blanc (€5.50 glass) and Cave De Gallician Cabernet Sauvignon, lovely and fruity, also at €5.50.
For those of you know who don't know the Rising Tide, there is parking alongside in the village and an overflow area to the right as you come down. The overflow also includes a play-area so that is handy for kids in the summertime.

It is quite a comfortable room, reached through the bar where they also serve food. Service is efficient and informative and very friendly and has been for a long time. Excellent eating here and that Early Bird allows you an inexpensive introduction if you haven’t been. Try it.
RISING TIDE (30.01.10)

Had an enjoyable family lunch at Glounthaune’s Rising Tide at the weekend.

Food and prices were good at this popular bistro and so too was the welcome and the service, the latter unobtrusively chatty and well tuned to the two kids, one of whom incredibly demolished that dessert Death by Chocolate.

Most started with the vegetable soup and a decent one it was. Lamb was the roast of the day and the two who choose that were very happy with it as was the punter who enjoyed the fish pie. I picked the lambs liver, with a rich sauce that included caramelised onion; it was very tasty and the vegetables on a side dish were nicely done. All main courses were priced in the €11.00 to €13.00 region.

Had a nice glass of merlot so was well set up for the day.

THE RISING TIDE (01.12.09)
Had a ball at a birthday party in the harbourside Rising Tide at the weekend and all ten in the party agreed. Great staff, courtesy and good humour very evident; they even volunteered to take group photos, all very much appreciated.
Food wasn't half bad either. Decent selection of mains from about €15.00 to mid 20s. All excellent as were starters and desserts. House wines started from 20 euro and were fit for purpose.
Very enjoyable overall and would recommend the Glounthaune venue. Watch out for their Christmas parties at €40.00 – should be well worth it. Recent customer Lady Gaga enjoyed her visit here!

Les Gourmandises 29/01/11
Delighted with my most recent visit to Les Gourmandises http://www.d1047337.blacknight.com/lesgourmandises/ . Fine French Dining is printed on their card and it is no empty motto. They live up to it. Making your way through the courses here is an exercise in delicacy.
If you find yourself in the Cook Street establishment (lucky you!), then start with their Tasting Plate. It figures on both their menus. On Friday night, we got an eye popping plateful (on their well known slate) which consisted of Prawns in Filo Pastry, Rabbit Terrine and Artichoke Soup. Gorgeous and quite substantial.
The other starter at the table was Rillette of Castletownbere crab, the slate also containing some poached pear & mustard grain. The container looked quite small but the ever so tasty crab was packed tightly and there was more than enough for the two pieces of delicious toast and so I brought their excellent crunchy brown bread into play.
I’ve had a lot of Confit de Canard, both here and in France over the past 12 months, and the one served up on the Gourmandises slate was one of the best, if not the very best. Billed as Roast duck leg confit with confit potato, Blackberries and Red Cabbage, it was superb, cooked to perfection. Would have liked a touch more “moisture”, by way of sauce or vegetable, but was well satisfied with it.
Dessert was an Orange panacotta with Almond mandolin and Citrus Fruits. All three elements were served separately on the plate. The sweet panacotta, the tarty fruits (orange and red grapefruit) and the more neutral mandolin made for a smashing well balanced dessert.
My desert wine (from a choice of five) came from Jurancon in the south-west of France. The Symphonie de Novembre Domaine de Cauhape (7.95 per glass) is 100% Petit Manseng which has spent ten months in oak. Honey, orange and quince in the bouquet, it is fresh and creamy on the palate, not as long in the finish as the likes of Tokaji but a really lovely sweet wine.

Les Gourmandises Restaurant

Different Class

Chocolate Brownie on a slate doesn’t promise much as a dessert but you should try it at Les Gourmandises Restaurant in 17 Cook Street. In fact, you should, I should, try everything at this different class establishment as there are pleasant ambushes in every course.
My starter last evening was mackerel on a red onion bed along with a goat’s cheese panacotta. The advisor had a tasting starter, samples of chicken liver parfait, prawns in filo and a cup of parsnip soup. Besides we both drew from the delicious fresh breads. A very promising opening.
Main course for me (like my starter) was the chef’s recommendation: ham hock moulded to a cylindrical shape, standing on a disc of smoked ham which in turn stood on a bed of Savoy Cabbage, the sauce being apple purée and sage. Well and originally presented and beautiful to eat.
The other main course was another brilliant dish: bream with aubergine purée and a cherry tomato and sage sauce. Gorgeous.
We each had the chef’s recommendation for dessert: a rice pudding, served with, on the side, caramelised banana and that smashing Chocolate Brownie! Just the thing to finish off a smashing meal and put you in the mood to call again.
There is decent selection of wines by glass, half bottle and full bottle. We compromised on the Puilly sur Loire, a crisp refreshing tingling Sauvignon Blanc with a mineral hint. Just the job!
By the way, quite a few of the meals are served on a slate which enables the chef to use his presentation artistry! And he does!
It doesn’t come cheap – three courses cost close to forty euro although there is a market menu for thirty euro.

BRAMLEY LODGE 21.01.11

Regularly make a call to Bramley Lodge if I’ve been to Fota. Did so again the other day but time was short and couldn’t stay long enough for lunch. Did the next best thing and raided their freezer.

Settled for Chicken, Leek and Smoked Bacon Pie (€9.95) and that didn't last too long in our house. Added some green beans and had a delicious main course. Had started with Bramley’s own Seafood Chowder (€7.95), an excellent creamy creation and loads in the container for three to four servings.

Dessert also came from the Lodge though initially from further afield. Bought a pack of beautifully wrapped Amaretti Virginia (€3.95), special biscuits from the heart of the Ligurian Region. Enjoy them with a sweet wine, urged the blurb, and in the Pfeiffer Rutherglen Muscat (Karwig Wines), we had just the match.

Spotted another import on the Bramley shelves: Spanish Carbonell Vinagre de Vino Blanco, 350 ml, (€2.10). Haven’t tried that yet. The shop, alongside the busy restaurant, carries a good range of local produce. I was tempted also by the Ardsallagh Goats Cheese Cranberry Roulade but had to put it back when I noticed that it was out of date. Forgot to mention that on the way out.

BRAMLEY LODGE
Bramley Lodge, a cafe cum country food store, opened about a year ago and has been attracting costumers galore since.
It is well situated, just off the main Cork-Waterford Road (N25) on the way in to Cobh, on your left just before you cross the first bridge (to Fota).
Location no doubt has something to do with but it also has a top class product. Called in there (about 12.30) yesterday for lunch and it was already filling up; indeed, the car park was full but there is more room on the road.
I choose the Fish Cakes, two big ones, enhanced with lime and sweet chilli. They were served with a decent salad and sweet chilli sauce. No shortage of fish in the cakes (salmon and cod). All in all, it was gorgeous and most of the other dishes on the menu also looked good and tempting.
So tempting in fact that, on the way out, I bought one of them from the fridge: dinner enough for two plus a bottle of wine for less than €15.00. Prices at the restaurant itself, which opens at 7.00 for breakfast, are also quite reasonable (the fish cakes came to under €12.00). Service is good, friendly and efficient, and there are two bright rooms, one a conservatory which looks out over the bridge and part of the estuary.
All in all, there is an emphasis on good quality local food and that is also seen in the shop where I also bought some goats cheese and Bramley’s own marmalade.
Bramley Lodge is proving extremely popular with visitors to the attractions on Fota (Wildlife Park, Fota House, Hotel and golf) and to Cobh (where you may enjoy the Heritage Centre, more golf, quayside walks, art galleries, Farmers Market on Friday, visiting liners and much more).

JACOBS ON THE MALL 05.11.10

Dine-in-Cork’s assertion that this week’s promotion gives you 20 per cent more value than usual was underlined in no uncertain manner by Jacobs on the Mall last night. The three course meal, plus coffee, that I enjoyed for €25.00 euro was certainly worth a good deal more.

Haven’t really tried Pumpkin before but with Thanksgiving coming up, went for the Pumpkin Fritters with Parma Ham & Salsa Verde. Nicely balanced starter and we were off to a flier.

Main course was a Duck Confit with lentils and chorizo ragout, buttered kale and champ. Normally you get one piece of duck but I got two moist legs, crispy on outside. The matching ragout was spot on. The kale perhaps might have benefitted from shredding before cooking as it was quite a chew but nothing too strenuous.

The desert was also top class: Date & Butterscotch Pudding with Fudge Sauce & Vanilla Ice Cream. Delighted with it.

And indeed delighted with all three courses, even if some of them didn't feature on the advertised menu, but that will happen a bit this week as the restaurants buy fresh in the markets.

Jacobs sell four whites and four reds by the glass. Enjoyed a Chilean Morande Pionero 2008 Chardonnay (€5.75) and a New Zealand Ta Moko Sauvigon Blanc (€6.25). Oh and by the way, the coffee was also of a high standard.

Jacobs is quite a venue, as many of you will know. For those who have not been, the high ceiling, retained from its days as Turkish Baths, leaves a huge space which has been filled with large scale hanging shrubbery and lighting. The big expanse of wall is hung with art works. Chairs are quite plush and comfortable. The welcome is warm and service excellent. What’s not to like? Get in there and get that €25.00 value while you can. 021 4251530.

http://www.dineincork.ie/participating-restaurants.html

JACOBS ON THE MALL
Good crowd at Jacobs on the Mall last evening, though not your typical Women’s Christmas groups, as couples were very much in evidence.
They have a special offer on, €24.00 approx for 2 courses, 28 for three. Though the menu is cheaper, the standard of food and service is still very high.
My ladies went for the crisp crunchy breads supplied at the start, especially the fig enhanced brown version.
The long chicken and veg spring roll was a popular starter, served with a salad and dip. Very nice.
Most went for the Venison, served with champ and red cabbage, as the main course. Portions were generous but beware: unless you ask otherwise, the meat will be served rare.
Not too many had the appetite for the big range of deserts but those that did were delighted, with the Triple Chocolate Wedge in particular.
Lovely evening, Lovely food. Now they tell me.

CURRAHEEN PARK GREYHOUND STADIUM
Enjoyed quite a few good nights at the old place on the Western Road but nowadays Corkonians go to the dogs in some style at the Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium.
You don't even have to be a doggie man or woman as it is possible to have a top class meal here and do your betting on the spot, isolated from the elements and the smells and the yelping, though I’m sure some true blood doggie people would prefer to be down at the track side.
Still, the punters have spoken, and comfort and convenience, along with a whole lot of efficiency, is what we respond to in 2010. And you will find it here. A friendly welcome at the stiles and then up you go to pick out your comfortable seated viewing point, with the bar close at hand, betting points at every corner and some won’t even have to leave the seat to bet as mobile assistants are at hand.
And if you haven’t laid a bet in a long while, the process is clearly explained on the inside cover of the Race Book for the night, which comes free at the entrance.
Big screens all over the place with loads of information on the field before the race, on the betting, on the results and on the pay-outs. The racing and betting from Shelbourne Park is also covered on-screen and they even had the Liverpool European game on screen there last night.
And the night illustrated another aspect of the stadium as the progressive management here are only too willing to work with charities and clubs to enhance their funds. I was there to support the Haven meeting in aid of Haiti and it turned out to be very enjoyable.
Must admit I was a bit like some of the dogs and flattered to deceive, Make a good start with the Tote but the winnings rapidly reduced as the night went on. Probably ended up evens but the real winners on the night were Haven Haiti and well done to the volunteer fund-raisers: Deirdre, Renate, Julia, Cathy and Louise.
Address: Curraheen Road, Bishopstown.
Tel: 1890 269 969
Web: www.igb.ie