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
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.
Categories: Lunch in the City
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We’re back in The Dog house
Posted: 07 June '10 by Kelly
The Barking Dog restaurant, Malone Road, Belfast
I had been in Dublin visiting Ciara for the weekend and hadn’t seen Niall for a few days so we decided to catch up over a meal and a few drinks. You might remember that we had been to The Barking Dog before and thought that the food was delicious, so decided to go back.
The decor is really cool, a mixture of French chic and rustic farmhouse with its vintage cups and saucers and the huge wooden dresser that holds all of the wine glasses. It’s quite informal too – a chilled atmosphere in which to enjoy a leisurely lunch or evening bite-to-eat.
We were shown to our table by a very pleasant member of staff which, after our last experience, was a welcome change. Looking down the menu we were pretty impressed – a good range of dishes which were added to by 4 or 5 daily specials.
After some deliberation Niall chose the Crab with creme fraiche on sourdough toast to start while I went for the Scallops with black pudding and cauliflower puree. Niall’s starter was OK, but I thought that it was quite bland! My starter was OK too – the scallops were cooked perfectly however the black pudding was wafer thin and the cauliflower puree lacked flavour… although I am quite spoilt because Niall’s version of this dish is the best I have ever tasted. It also has to be said that the portion size was quite measly.
For our main course we decided to have the ‘Cote de Boeuf’ with thick-cut chips, roasted tomatoes and bearnaise sauce (for two people). Now, maybe we have been spoilt by our experience at ‘Robert et Louise’ in Paris, but whenever you order this dish you do have certain expectations!
The first taste is with the eyes, they say, and this did look very promising. Served on a wooden cutting board, the chunky chips were stacked beside a large rib and the sliced beef, together with the juicy roasted vine tomatoes – a rustic feast just waiting for you to dig in. Whenever I think of Cote de Boeuf my mouth waters as I think of a seared, charcoal-flavoured crust and moist, flavoursome steak that melts in your mouth. Sadly there were none of these attributes present as we tucked into our meal.
Although it had been cooked to our request (medium/rare), it had not been seasoned well enough and was actually quite bland. I got very bored of the dish after a few mouthfuls and just didn’t want anymore. The bearnaise sauce was a bit of joke too – there was absolutely no tarragon in the sauce which had a milky, buttery, non-flavour.. it was horrible!! Once again the portion-size just wasn’t generous enough for two hungry diners – while it may have looked impressive, the majority of the serving was the large rib-bone, after which there were only 4 slices of beef. The best parts of this dish were the thick-cut chips and the tomatoes which, for the £42.50 price-tag, is a bit rich.
For dessert I had the sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream and Niall had the chocolate and pear tart. My sticky toffee pudding was OK, but it wasn’t very ‘sticky’ and the only discernible toffee presence was the sauce that had been poured around the pudding on the plate. Niall’s dessert on the other hand was delicious, with the pastry being light and crisp and the chocolate rich and gooey. It worked perfectly.
| Starters: | |
|---|---|
| Crab and creme fraiche on toasted sourdough | £6.95 |
| Seared scallops, black pudding, and cauliflower puree | £8.50 |
| Mains: | |
| Cote de Boeuf (for 2) | £42.50 |
| Sundries: | |
| Buttered green beans | £3.00 |
| Dessert: | |
| Sticky toffee pudding, toffee sauce and vanilla ice-cream | £4.95 |
| Chocolate and pear tart | £4.95 |
| Total: | £70.85 |
Our verdict
The letters “O” and “K” on my keyboard have almost been worn away from this one review alone.
The food was very average, the portions were quite small, and the cost was fairly excessive. It’s such a shame because there is a lot to recommend about The Barking Dog and I want to like it.
The waitress was really polite and couldn’t do enough for us without being too over the top.
I do hope the food gets better as it could be an excellent restaurant.
The Barking Dog
35 Malone Rd
Belfast,
BT9 6RU
T: 028 90661885
E: barkingdogbelfast@googlemail.com
W: www.barkingdogbelfast.com
You can also see The Barking Dog on Google Maps.
Categories: Northern Ireland > Restaurant Reviews > United Kingdom
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Shanahan’s on the Green, Dublin 2
Posted: 18 May '10 by Ciara
Shanahan's on the Green, Dublin 2
My 30th birthday fell on a Friday this year so before the party that was planned for Saturday night my husband and I decided to celebrate my joining of the 30 club by taking a trip to Shanahans on the Green for one of their renowned steaks.
Being huge fan of steaks it rates at the top of our “favourite restaurant” list – they serve certified Irish Angus beef which is cooked in a special broiler, charring the surface of the meat while keeping the centre tender and moist.
Shanahan’s is situated at the top of St. Stephens Green in Dublin 2. Founded by John Shanahan, born in Boston Massuchussets, who always identified with his rich Irish heritage, he embarked upon Shanahan’s on the Green to try and capture his love of cooking and his passion for Ireland.
In addition to its scrumptious menu, which includes those certified Irish angus beef steaks, Irish seafood, hearty sides and mouth-watering desserts, it also has top class service. The elegant service together with the top class food is complimented and heightened by the beautiful old Dublin décor of the restaurant. “The Oval Office”, the restaurant’s downstairs bar featuring historical documents and mementoes from each of America’s presidents of Irish Heritage and also JFK’s original rocking chair from air force one blends both cultures and histories together classically.
We always enjoy a drink in the Oval office before dining in the restaurant as the comfortable leather green chairs and low lit table lamps and frequently lit fire add to the relaxed and friendly atmosphere helping us to unwind and ponder over the menu and beautiful wine list.
Each of the staff at Shanahans are also extremely professional and friendly and if you ask them about any of the artifacts they will willingly give you a history of the restaurant.
The details
For the wine I choose a Portugese red, Duas Quintas Reserve, 2006. This was quite full bodied, quite strong at first but delicious with the steak. Since Cor doesn’t like wine he choose his usual, an Austrian beer called Stiegel – Shanahan’s is one of only a few places in Ireland that serve it.
After making final decisions on our food order our waitress bought us over a selection of fresh breads, cheese and onion flavoured crusty bread and chilli flavoured muffins, still warm from the oven. I decided to have a slice of each, conscious of my huge steak that I was determined to finish. I opted out of a starter and Cor went for the sizzling black west coast mussels presented on a huge plate along with shallots, garlic, fresh herbs, lemon and butter. I watched in horror, not being a fan of fish, as Cor devoured the whole plate. I shook my head laughing telling him he’d never finish his steak.
When our 12oz medium done fillet mignon’s arrived my mouth watered in anticipation. I waited patiently as our waitress placed our beautifully presented side orders of whipped potatoes with butter and chives, sautéed wild mushrooms and Shanahans renowned large portion of onion rings on our table in their copper pots.
We exchanged satisfied smiles and tucked into our meal.
As always, we were thrilled with our meal: the steak was mouth-wateringly satisfying and cooked to perfection, as were the creamy whipped potatoes, the thin and crispy onion rings and the mushrooms, all of which combined to create the perfect meal.
The only downside was that I was so stuffed after my main course that I almost couldn’t breathe.. But not so stuffed that it prevented me from getting a dessert! We shared a huge portion of cookies and cream cheese cake. I was so full at this stage but had to keep eating as it was too nice to leave (and Howard from Take That had arrived into the restaurant with his friends at this stage so I took my time eating the cheesecake while glancing back and forth at him and his companions).
| Starters | |
|---|---|
| Sizzling Black west coast mussels | €19.75 |
| Main Course: | |
| Fillet Mignon x2 | €48.50 ea. |
| Whipped potatoes with butter & chives | €9.25 |
| Sautéed wild mushrooms | €9.25 |
| Crispy fried Onion rings | €9.25 |
| Dessert: | |
| Cookies and cream cheese cake | €12.50 |
| Sundries: | |
| Duas Quintas Reserve, 2006 | €65.00 |
| Stiegel Beer x5 | €6.00 ea. |
| Total: | €252.00 |
Our verdict
We have been to this restaurant quite a few times and have yet to be disappointed. To me, it ticks all the boxes. The intimate, relaxed, classic and historical atmosphere, the beautifully presented and largely portioned food, the extensive wine list and the lovely staff all add up to make my perfect night out.
It is pricey but you do get what you pay for and, as my father-in-law says, “money spent on good food is money well spent.”
Shanahan’s on the Green
119 St. Stephen’s Green,
Dublin 2
Ireland
T: 00353 (0) 1 4070939
W: www.shanahans.ie
You can also find Shanahan’s on Google Maps.
Categories: Republic of Ireland > Restaurant Reviews
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The writing is on the wall.. We love Graffitti!
Posted: 12 April '10 by Kelly
Graffitti, Ormeau Road, Belfast
It’s quite difficult to find a place to go for a relaxing late breakfast on a Sunday where the food isn’t dripping in grease, so we were delighted when we discovered Graffitti.
Located on the Ormeau Road in Belfast, the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. We would usually go for breakfast but have also been there for lunch and dinner before and it has never failed us. Graffitti is also a BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) restaurant, so it’s very handy for a cheaper night out.
I love eating here on a Sunday morning as it does my favourite breakfast (outside of what Niall makes me at home, of course!!) – the Ciabatta Breakfast is 2 slices of toasted ciabatta, bacon, free-range fried eggs, grated parmesan and tomato chutney.. And it is delicious!! I always look forward to going in on a weekend and ordering it. Niall usually orders the Italian Omelette or the Mushroom Breakfast, both of which look very tasty too.
If this doesn’t sound like your cup of tea they also serve more conventional things: scrambled or poached eggs, muesli, a full ulster fry, and so on.
As I said before we have been there for lunch and dinner also and have always been more than happy with the food. It serves tasty salads, sandwiches, home-made soups and the specials are always worth a go. Mum and I had lunch there last week – I ordered the pitta-bread with lamb and tzatziki with salad while mum had a beautiful fish cake which, to be honest, could have fed us both!!
Graffitti has been open for 25 years and serves up tasty home-cooked food, it has its regulars and we often see some local ‘celebs’ having their lunch or academics pondering the meaning of life over a coffee with their colleagues. If its fine dining you want then i’d suggest you stay away from Graffitti. With its bohemian decor, laid-back waiters and people talking for hours over a coffee you’d think you’re in somebodys dining room rather than a restaurant, which in my book is a good thing.
| Breakfast | |
|---|---|
| Ciabatta Breakfast – Fried eggs and bacon on ciabatta with tomato relish | £6.25 |
| Mushroom Breakfast – Fried eggs and mushrooms on toasted soda with balsmic syrup | £5.50 |
| Sundries: | |
| Pot of tea for one | £1.60 |
| Cup of Illy coffee | £1.90 |
| Total: | £15.25 |
The details
The Ciabatta Breakfast really is delicious. Parmesan with eggs and bacon might sound slightly strange but believe me it works, especially with the home-made tomato chutney! Niall and I often try and re-create it at home, but there is nothing better than having it cooked for you AND having someone else to do the dishes!!
Niall’s Mushroom Breakfast isn’t my cup of tea but he absolutely loves it. The free range fried eggs with mushrooms on toasted soda bread with balsamic syrup makes for a very filling breakfast, and the balsamic has a wonderful sharpness against the earthy field mushrooms.
Our verdict
Graffitti is a great casual, laid-back restaurant. It serves simple but tasty, home-cooked meals made with fresh ingredients, and I can honestly say I have never had a bad experience there.. Quite the contrary!
The only downsides are that parking close to the restaurant can be quite difficult and getting a table can be difficult as the restaurant itself isn’t that big (although I think this adds to the overall vibe).
Graffitti restaurant
258 Ormeau Road,
Belfast
BT7 2FZ
T: 02890693300
W: www.graffittibelfast.com
You can also find Graffitti on Google Maps.
Categories: Northern Ireland > Restaurant Reviews > United Kingdom
