A year in food

When looking back, I did a lot of things but can’t really show much for it. A lot of work in the background went into the year.

But let’s look at the best food I have eaten. Back in January, my friend Judy and I went to Sketch in the Imperial Hotel and I had beautiful creamy mushrooms on brioche toast (simple dishes need more attention and it was perfect).

In Clonakilty, we came across Taste @ Gearoidíns – a little deli in the middle of the town with a great selection of homecooked food to take away. I had fish cakes and potato salad and it was delicious.

In Lanzarote, we visited an Indian restaurant called Tamasha where we celebrated my birthday and I had the best matar paneer dish. The best fish tacos I had was in The Algiers Inn in Baltimore - a cosy place with very good food in a great location.

And let’s not forget the best pizza – in my opinion it can only be the Rising Sons brewery pub. Thin crust, tomato sauce with a kick and spicy peperoni (I like things simple and always order the peperoni and feta version).

I had amazing lobster in Canada with the wonderful Lewanne who is slightly addicted to lobster.

It was freshly caught, cooked and I had garlic butter with it. It was a messy affair but oh so good.

Also in Canada I had a few portions of poutine – chips with cheese curds and gravy. It works if the gravy is excellent but it is a sad affair if the gravy comes from powder.

The most entertaining brunch had to be the Drag Brunch organised by the fabulous Cian O’Sullivan of Instinct Cork in the Oystern Tavern. The atmosphere, performances and food was just amazing.

While I was in Berlin, I visited a Chinese restaurant three times to eat twice-baked pork with garlic and vegetables. This dish is so flavoursome and delicious that I can’t get enough of it. If you plan to visit Berlin, make sure to pay Ming Dynasty in the Europa Centre a visit.

The best rice pudding I had (yep, I happen to love rice pudding) was served in the Castle Hotel in Blarney. I always ask for a mix of white sugar and cinnamon and it reminds me of how my mum used to make it.

And last but not least – my wonderful friend Judy and I enjoyed a few afternoon tea sessions last year and we loved all of them but had to agree that we would vote the Metropole Hotel as our favourite by a small margin. A very close second is the Montenotte Hotel. If you like to treat yourself, you could do worse than booking into any of the two hotels.

I am looking forward to 2024 with new food adventures, meeting new people and simply enjoying life in Cork – the best place to be. Happy New Year.