Have you been snackfished?
Plus competitive socialising, tasty pivots and more
Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat and calendars busy so keeping it short and sharp for you this week. There is a good bit of good opening and pivoting news, yay, and a few other fun bits to share. I get lots of questions at this time of year about presents for foodies so if you’re looking, I compiled this list for the Irish Times Christmas Magazine on Gifts for Gourmands. It’s basically my personal wishlist if anyone is wondering what I’d like. However, the best gift, if you’re feeling generous, is to subscribe to my substack or even just give it a share. Or you could buy my book… 😉
Míle buíochas x
Fresh ingredients:
News & stuff I’m excited about
Reggie’s in Rathmines is fully open now and in flying form - I ate there on Tuesday, albeit in a bit of a rush because I was going to see Wicked. I would 100% recommend holding space for both…
Not strictly a new opening but more of an exciting pivot - much-loved canal side restaurant Locks announced they are changing things up next year. Christmas Eve will be their final service before they close for January and reopen in February as Lena, a neighbourhood Italian restaurant. Locks will be missed of course but knowing that the new iteration will see Simon Barrett and Liz Matthews (Uno Mas and Etto) join Locks’ own Paul McNamara is wonderful. The team already run Uno Mas together so you know to expect good things.
Another tasty pivot - Juno on Dorset Street has added a string to its bow in the form of Hera a new gastropub from the team behind Crudo and Achara, some from The Fourth Corner and ex-Bastible chef Joe Smith in the kitchen (thanks All The Food for this intel). Juno will still bring the pub & snacks and Hera will be the sit-down-and-eat vibe. Early reports on the food are good.
A new ‘competitive socialising’ venue called Super Social opened this week at Leopardstown Racecourse. They say it’s “cutting-edge technology with hands-on fun, offering an experience never seen before in Ireland. With all of the premium, high-tech games & challenges imported from The States, Dubai & more”. It looks and sounds like Jam Park (RIP) with a spray tan and better hair 🥲
Super Social Glasthule favourite 64 Wines has expanded - they opened a new shop on Deer Park Road in Mount Merrion.
Stoneybatter’s Hakkahan is opening a new place in Monkstown in 2025 called China Tang - hopefully, it will be open in time for Lunar New Year celebrations.
Speaking of which, Asia Market has announced some of their lineup for the Lunar New Year 2025 which runs from January 29th to February 12th 2025. Check out their packed programme of events here - booking early is advised.
Another event to get excited about in 2025 is the Ballymaloe Festival of Food. They’ve announced their first round of names for the weekend including Jay Rayner, the Observer’s restaurant critic; Thomasina Miers, Ballymaloe Cookery School alumna and founder of Wahaca; Jeremy Lee, Chef Proprietor at London’s Quo Vadis; Anna Jones, food writer and Guardian columnist; Matt Tebutt, host of BBC’s Saturday Kitchen and writer, radio presenter and I’m A Celeb runner up Reverend Richard Cole. More details and tickets here: www.ballymaloegrainstore.com.
Ever seen a snack online that looks too crazy to be true? Clear ketchup? Chocolate Pringles? Maybe you’ve been snackfished…
Big book news: congrats to Caitlin Ruth - her Blasta book Funky topped The Observer’s Best Food Books of 2024 list!
There’s a new US TV comedy series being made called ‘Taste’ about a food magazine starring Julie Bowen (Modern Family) - sounds like a recipe for a show I will love.
Polish Wine & Irish Oysters? Yes, please. Happening at Sea Shanty in Blackrock on December 31st. Side note I ate at Sea Shany a few weeks ago and loved it, worth checking out.
The Lotts Pub has a new offering - ‘Pour Your Own Pint’.
Speaking of pubs, Jane Casey’s 12 Pubs of Christmas is brilliant content.
If you’re a fan of National Lampoons Christmas Vacation (you should be) and wondered about how to make egg nog - this recipe looks great.
Looking for some special milk to leave out for Santy consider Killadoon Milk. On Friday, December 20, they will donate 100% of sales to Crumlin Children’s Hospital through the Children’s Health Foundation.
If you want to skip some of the Christmas cooking you don’t fancy cooking Dublin-based caterers, Food by Sally Ann, has festive at-home catering boxes and canapes available for order. See menu’s here.
And if you are cooking and want some tips and insights from those in the know here’s some useful advice myself and Clare Anne O’Keefe gathered for the Irish Times - Bite-sized tips for adding oomph to Christmas parties and dinners.
Thanks for reading. If you want to read more of my writing you can find my debut book, A Compendium of Irish Pints here. PS It makes a great Xmas present… GRMA x