Just desserts for Niall McKenna
Posted: 30 June '10 by Niall and Kelly
Chef Niall McKenna at James Street South
There are times when you taste something so good that it becomes an event. You just know that it’s special and you’ll be reminiscing about it in years to come. That’s what this was – on Tuesday 29 June 2010 we tasted Chef Niall McKenna’s Poached Rhubarb and Strawberry Jelly with Yellowman and Lavender Ice-cream. It’s a date we’ll remember.
Kelly and I had been invited to a lunch at James Street South to celebrate Niall’s recent success in The Great British Menu. For those not in the know, Niall not only won the Northern Ireland heat of the competition, but his dessert beat all-comers from across the UK to win it’s place at a banquet attended by Prince Charles. To say that we were looking forward to this is an understatement.
With only 25 other people there we got the chance for a good chat with Niall and his wife Joanne, and two nicer, more unassuming people you couldn’t hope to meet. Even as dedicated food-lovers, it was a bit intimidating to talk to Niall – the man clearly lives for food, and his knowledge and enthusiasm seems to know no bounds. Sipping our champers, I think Kelly and I would have been happy if that was our lot – talking with our two hosts about restaurants, the quality of ingredients, the pressure of cooking during The Great British Menu, and anything else that sprang to mind – but in too short a time it was over and the time to eat was upon us.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not glossing over the starter and main course because of any shortcomings: quite the contrary, they were exceptional. The lobster, langoustine and scallop in the starter were sweet and meaty, and complimented perfectly by cucumber and a light sea-weed butter. The main of Shorthorn Beef was tender and perfectly moist, served with sweet little roasted onions and broadbeans and breadcrumbed bone marrow.. Oh, it was so unctious and just exploded with juicy goodness – it has to be one of my favourite things to see on a menu.
Even taking these highlights into account though, the celebrated dessert simply stole the show.
Chef McKenna had joked that it was only jelly and ice-cream, but if that’s the case it’s the best jelly and ice-cream you’ll ever taste. The strawberry jelly was sweet and sharp without over-powering the poached rhubarb – the lavender ice-cream was marvellously delicate and subtle, and a wonderful background flavour as I crunched through the delicate tuile and the Yellowman dust that encrusted the ice-cream. All the flavours seemed so perfectly balanced – a dish that was just full of the best things of Summer. At the first mouthful our table of 8 people slipped into silence – just before a chorus of synchronised moans and the rattle of cutlery on china that comes with some serious tucking-in.
The fact that a local chef and a local restaurant can deliver this sort of quality speaks volumes about the changing food-scene in Northern Ireland – and places Niall McKenna at the very top of his profession.
What made the whole meal even more enjoyable was the knowledge that the ingredients were locally-sourced: from the milk from Glastry in County Down, to the strawberries from Armagh, to the honey from the grounds of Malone Golf Club. We were lucky enough to have Joanne seated at our table and she talked passionately about the importance of fresh, quality ingredients and the need to support our local producers – and after such a fine lunch there certainly wasn’t any disagreement from the diners!
Thanks and congratulations once again to Niall and Joanne McKenna – as we walked out of their restaurant Kelly and I were talking about returning as soon as possible to get our strawberry jelly fix. I can see a new favourite topping our list of the best local restaurants..
Other information
James Street South
21 James Street South,
Belfast
BT2 7GA
Northern Ireland
T: 028 90434310
E: info@jamesstreetsouth.co.uk
W: www.jamesstreetsouth.co.uk
You can follow James Street South on Facebook
You can also find James Street South on Google Maps.
The good news is that Niall is serving these dishes (and more) in his restaurant so you can enjoy the taste of the Great British Menu – you can click here to see the Great British Menu at James Street South.
Tags: belfast restaurant, great british menu, james street south, niall mckenna
Categories: News
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They’re tasty, tasty, berry berry tasty
Posted: 28 June '10 by Niall and Kelly
Boozeberries - Irish Liqueurs
Kelly and I are constantly amazed at the number of great local producers that are out there and that we rarely hear about. Getting the chance to talk to them and tell you about their products is one of the main reasons why we started Chilli and Chocolate. When we noticed that Boozeberries were following us on Twitter we thought we’d do a little research and get in touch..
“Boozeberries” is owned by husband and wife team Stuart and Barbara Hughes and is based in Dromore, County Down. Served as an after dinner drink or as a delicious addition to your favourite cocktails, the Boozeberry range includes three flavours: Wild Blueberries, Wild Cranberries, and Zesty Blackcurrant. These sophisticated tipples have already picked up several awards including the prestigious overall winner at the Mitchelstown Food Fair.
You can see more photos hereImage 1Image 2
After sending a short email we got chatting to Barbara and got to know a little more about another of our local producers..
- N: Hi Barbara. So, what’s Boozeberries all about?
- B: Well, our liqueurs are unique in the fact that every single bottle is hand-crafted. They’re extremely versatile, allowing you to customise your drinks and add a little bit of summer to every glass. We have three flavours: Zesty Blackcurrant, Wild Blueberry, and Wild Cranberry. They’re delicious when chilled and served as an aperitif, and make the most wonderful champagne cocktails when entertaining or celebrating with friends. They also make the perfect Summers’ drink for a day in the garden – just poured into a large pitcher of ice and garnished with a twist of lime.
- N: I really like all of the berries in the bottle! How is the liqueur made?
- B: The whole process is done by hand. Basically, the berries are fed into the base of the bottle, a very smooth Irish grain spirit is added, and the cork goes on. All the magic happens in the bottle over a 4 month period as the wild berries and the spirit infuse.
- N: And Boozeberries is an Irish product?
- B: Yip – Everything is sourced within Ireland. After all we have the best ingredients on our door-step!
- N: What’s your favourite way of enjoying them?
- B: My personal fav is the ‘Boozeberries Wild Blueberry Fizz’ – 1 or 2 shots of Boozeberries Wild Blueberries in a champagne flute topped-up with chilled Prosecco. It’s such a treat to watch the berries dance in the glass with the bubbles.. Stuart’s favourite is Zesty Blackcurrant Boozeberries over ice.
- N: Where can our readers buy their own Boozeberry liqueurs?
- B: There is a list of stockist on the web site. At the moment, Boozeberries are available throughout Northern Ireland in all of the Sainsbury’s stores and in the Republic of Ireland in O’Briens beers & wines. We’re encouraging the independent off-licenses and style-bars to stock Boozeberries. Maybe your readers can help by requesting it from their local, or by send us the request at info@boozeberries.com and we’ll try our best to facilitate.
- N: What’s on the cards for Boozeberries in the future?
- B: We do have a few new flavours up our sleeve but they won’t be available until early 2011. We’re confident that we’ll have some major mainland UK stockists on-board before Christmas. We’re also very excited about enquiries we have received from the USA, Canada and Cyprus.
Thanks Barbara!
Make sure you keep checking the site this week – we’ll have a review of the Boozeberry range (yes, it’s hard work being a food-blogger!) and you might even get to try them for yourself!
Other information
Boozeberries,
62, The Belfry,
Dromore,
Co Down
BT25 1TR
T: +44 (0) 7780117737
E: info@boozeberries.com
W: www.boozeberries.com
Tags: food heroes, Local Food Heroes, local producers, review, st georges market
Categories: Local Food Heroes : Northern Ireland : United Kingdom
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‘West’ is best
Posted: 24 June '10 by Kelly
West Sandwich Bar
I find that it’s quite difficult to get a good, quick lunch in Belfast City Centre and I’m normally left wandering around looking for something fresh and tasty to eat. Then my friend Orlaith suggested that we try West Gourmet Sandwich Bar on Castle Street..
First impressions were good – it was rammed full of hungry people wanting to be fed, which is always a good sign. We managed to grab a table and flicked through the menu. All the food is laid out like a ‘deli’ style sandwich bar so you could see what you were going to eat before you ordered, which I like (although it did mean that I kept changing my mind – everything looked so tasty!!). The menu was quite extensive and filled with tasty sandwiches, wraps, toasties or salads to choose from. They even do all day breakfasts, soup and chips etc.
The friendly waitress came to take our order and after much deliberation I ordered a ‘blackened’ chicken salad sandwich on wholemeal bread while Orlaith went for the Mexican chicken salad. We sat back and watched our meals being prepared and salivated as the plates made their way to our table. The service was incredibly fast which is great when you only have an hour to spare.
My sandwich was huge, a real door-step, which was just what I wanted as I’d had no breakfast. Filled with spiced chicken along with lots of fresh salad and mayo, it was really, really good. You get a side order of nachos and coleslaw which is a nice accompaniment. I have to mention the wholemeal bread that “West” used for my sandwich: I’m a bit of a bread-afficionado and this was some of the best I’ve ever tasted – deliciously nutty and thick!
Orlaith’s salad was massive – they certainly didn’t skimp on the chicken (nor on the jalapeno peppers and salad leaves, for that matter).
Our verdict
I’ll definitely be going back to the ‘West’ for lunch.
The menu is cheap and is quite wide-ranging (you’ll need a serious number of visits to work through the list). The average sandwich ranges in cost from between £3.50 and £4.50 depending on the filling, and you get plenty of for your money.
As with any lunch-time alternative, the speed of the service is essential – something that West is extremely good at, without sacrificing friendliness.
Just writing about their sandwiches has made me hungry again – which tells you just how good they are.
Other information
West Gourmet Sandwich Bar
28, Castle St,
Belfast,
County Antrim
BT1 1HB
T: 028 9032 5649
You can also find West Gourmet Sandwich Bar on Google Maps.
Tags: belfast, Lunch in the City, lunch-time, review
Categories: Lunch in the City
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Wine-tasting in aid of Action Cancer, 24 June 2010
Posted: 23 June '10 by Niall
Direct Wine Shipments
This November Susan from Direct Wine Shipments will be running the New York Marathon in aid of Action Cancer. To help raise money there’s a wine-tasting evening on Thursday 24th June 2010, 7.30 for 8pm.
Susan will be hosting the wine-tasting evening with Denis Broderick, one of Northern Ireland’s leading wine educators, the featured speaker. A buffet supper will be provided by Crumbs catering.
Action Cancer is a Northern Ireland cancer charity. At Action Cancer the mission is to save lives and support people and they maintain a pioneering role in the development of cancer services, including, early detection services for the Northern Ireland community, counselling and support services for cancer patients and their families, cancer prevention & health promotion.
The details
- When: Thursday 24th June 2010, 7.30 for 8pm
- Cost: £25
- How to book: contact 028 9050 8000 or email susan@directwine.co.uk
- More information: www.directwine.co.uk
It’s not very often that you can savour a delicious wine knowing that you’re helping a very good cause.. And that someone else will have to run a marathon – so make sure that you get in touch!
Best of luck, Susan!
Tags: action cancer, charity event, direct wine shipments, new york marathon, wine, wine-tasting
Categories: Things to do
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Observer Food Monthly Awards 2010
Posted: 22 June '10 by Niall
Observer Food Monthly Awards
We’ve just noticed that voting for the Observer Food Monthly Awards is open. The competition closes at midnight on Friday, June 25th – so get voting now!
The categories include Best Restaurant and Best Food Blog (hint, hint), but we think that Co Couture, those marvellous gourmet chocolatiers located on Chicester Street in Belfast, deserve your vote in the Best independent local shop or online retailer section.
Besides getting to see your favourite local restaurants, shops and blogs getting the recognition you think they deserve, you’ll also be entered into a draw for All reader votes will be entered into a draw to win a foodie weekend in Flanders and a six course dinner at Fifteen, Cornwall – amongst other prizes.
The judges
Judging of the entries will take place in July. The prestigious 12-person panel includes such luminaries as Nigel Slater , Mariella Frostrup and Mark Hix.
Other information
You can click here to vote in the Observer Food Monthly Awards.
Tags: awards, News, observer food monthly awards
Categories: News
