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PROUDLY SPONSORED BY CHEF SUPPER CLUB LAUNCHES PO
TIONS WINE SERIES Supping and sipping is the order of the day at the Chef Supper Club, the imaginative culinary initiative which aims to deliver a special Michelin-style experience, coupled with a unique opportunity to learn and interact with some of the most creative people currently working in the world of food and beverage. This month the focus is firmly on sipping with the launch of their new ‘Potions’ Wine Series, in which a well-known Sommelier will showcase their favourite wines each month through the Chef Supper Club Wine Collections. Sommelier Niall O’Connor gets proceedings off to a great start, with a selection of fascinating picks reflecting his own personal taste, covering a spectrum that encapsulates some great examples of the work of classic producers, alongside those described as ‘slightly left of field maverick wine makers’. The talented oenophile of Liath fame is keen to stress his personal association with the wines involved, observing that, “They range from wines from my spiritual home, San Sebastian, all the way to big bold wintery reds from the heel of Sicily.” His Select Wine Collection includes such beauties as Judith Beck Blaufrankish 2019, which O’Connor describes as “a highly versatile wine complementing virtually all types of food and cuisines. He explains that it has a chewy, plush texture with generous dark cherry, cassis and plum fruit nuanced by herbs and a touch of minerality, adding that “Judith makes only five hundred cases of this cuvée and it is superb.” For the six bottles he has chosen for the Premium Wine Collection, O’Connor says he wanted to create “a very broad selection of wines so people could discover different things about each one.” Choices here range from a fine elegant cava “with the unique complexity that only a Gran Reserva can offer” to the fresh, vibrant Monte Dall’Ora ‘Saseti’ Valpolicella Classico 2020, which he tells us “never ceases to impress.” SUNSET DINING AT CHARLOTTE QUAY Longer days means longer opening hours at Charlotte Quay in Grand Canal Dock, and as the grand auld stretch gets into its stride, we’ve been enjoying extended sunset views at one of the best spots to catch the remains of the day in Dublin. The menu at the popular waterside restaurant has recently undergone a refresh, with new additions from Head Chef Gareth Naughton including tasty Fried Squid, Lemon Aioli, Curried Leaf Oil and Mint. Weekends see a nice selection of Brunch specials available from noon, with lots of buzz about dishes such as Naan Bread, Chickpea & Pepper Stew served with Hummus and Fried Egg. Open Thurs to Fri 4:00pm – close; Sat & Sun 12:00pm – close. Last orders from the kitchen 9.45pm. @charlottequay1 SPRING DINING AT BURTOWN HOUSE Those who fancy spreading their wings a little beyond the city might be interested in heading to Burtown House outside Athy, for a seasonal stroll through twelve acres of lush garden and meadow walks, followed by some early spring dining at the estate restaurant. A strong sustainability ethos is very much in evidence at the Georgian Villa, where Head Grower Dermot Carey oversees the continuation of a tradition that has seen no chemicals or pesticides being used in their approach to food production for over a century and a half. The fruits of their labours can be savoured at The Green Barn Restaurant, where in addition to brunch and lunch options, dinner is served every Friday and Saturday night, featuring a feast of gorgeous seasonal dishes, accompanied by a fine selection of wines and cocktails. The lovely fresh produce grown on-site in the walled kitchen garden, polytunnels, and four-acre field plot is also available to take home from their shop, Jo’s Pantry, which is open all year round, with accommodation options also available. burtownhouse.ie/green-barn-restaurant SIMPATICO - NUTSHED X NATURAL BAKERY From humble beginnings on the festive circuit in 2014, sisters Eliza and Evie Ward have been busy growing their small artisan business into a plant-based hyperspace, with their efforts garnering them some impressive Great Taste awards along the way. Each item in their wholesome vegan Nutshed range is free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar, and now the Nenagh based siblings have announced a simpatico new partnership that sees several of their tasty treats, Rawbs and Peanut Butters being stocked by The Natural Bakery. To celebrate, they have concocted a stunning new Raw Brownie Square made with organic cocoa, buckwheat, dates, hazelnuts, and dried rose petals. Their latest creation can be picked up exclusively from more than a dozen Natural Bakery outlets, including the new store at Frascati, which is set to open in South Dublin in the coming weeks. naturalbakery.ie @nutshed_ Pssst – Got some food ’n’ drink nuggets you’d like to share with Totally Dublin readers? Feed them to us for consideration… Email: MM@hkm.ie 45