Big Grill faves, a first look at Borgo dishes & EP Bangers
A short but sweet slice of news this week...
A short and sweet serving of food news for you today, as I’m running out the door to the Big Grill where I’m co-hosting the Bastecamp stage this evening (along with the wonderful Dee Laffan). I took a good spin around Herbert Park last night and will share my favourite picks soon on Instagram if you’re heading there and want some tips. Whatever you’re doing this weekend, I hope you get to enjoy some sun, good food and drinks. Sláinte!
The official word is out about Borgo opening in Phibsborough, a new osteria locale from the team behind Achara, Crudo and Hera. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the dishes that will be on the menu 😍
Hen’s Teeth is back with another new food concept, this time it’s all about sandwiches, and it looks very promising - Sando Paradiso.
As I said, the Big Grill kicked off yesterday, and they’ve brought back the best dish competition, with a stellar judging panel - Daniel Vaughn, Texas Monthly’s Barbecue Editor, Cassie Stokes, Marcus O’Laoire and Marie-Claire Digby, former Irish Times Food Editor. See the winners here - Bahay’s Beef Cheek Kare Kare won Best Dish, beating Texas Michelin-starred La Barbecue (third) and Burnt Bean & Co. (second). Achara took home the Brightest Spark award for the inventive use of live fire. Add them to your list if you’re there at the weekend!
Pint lover Prime Mutton is back in Ireland for a visit, and he stopped by the Big Grill yesterday before they opened, giving the creamer thumbs up to Kilkenny brewer Sullivan’s Black Marble Stout. My pick of the beers I tried yesterday was Wicklow Wolf Sugarload IPA, so drinkable, and I’ll be trying Rascal’s Sorbet IPA with some of the meatier dishes over the weekend.
Speaking of festivals, the big kahuna Electric Picnic is only a few weeks away, and the McKennas released the lineup for their Theatre of Food, which includes a top booking I’ve been chasing myself for years - Neven Maguire will give an eagerly awaited demo and DJ set. See the rest of the lineup here.
Anyone in the food and drinks business or just curious about what’s happening in hospitality, I’m co-hosting a free webinar on Wednesday, 20th August, with fellow food writer Dee Laffan. Future Flavours: What’s Shaping Ireland’s Plate? Sign up for free here.
New York’s Eleven Madison Park is serving meat again.
Culture Night, happening on Friday, September 19th, released its programme of events with a good few food-related events, tours, and markets. The Cultural Life of the Ibérico Pig with Blanca Valencia sounds pretty interesting.
I’ve always fancied going to the Bull in Charlbury and even more so now after hearing what happened this week - JD Vance was in the area on holiday and booked in for dinner, but when the gastropub staff said they wouldn’t come to work if they had to serve Vance and his wife, the Bull refused his patronage. And a week ago, Kamala Harris dined there, no bother.
If you’re wondering what it’s like to drink in Charlbury, have a read of Off The Fence Special Edition: Is This The Worst Pub In The World?
An iconic collab - Countess Luann x Meridith Marks
This is great from Rare in Kinsale
Thanks for reading The Kitchen Press, my weekly round-up of Irish food, drink and hospitality news. If you liked my writing, I’ve got a very fun book out, A Compendium of Irish Pints. You can also follow my eating and drinking, and other writing work over on Instagram and sporadically on TikTok.
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thanks for the mention..love your newsletter it keeps me up -to-date!