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PROUDLY SPONSORED BY BITESIZE WORDS Martina Murra
y THE AGE OF BAKERIES Food writers John and Sally McKenna have just produced the Ultimate Guide to Artisan and Craft Bakeries in Ireland, the first part of their comprehensive look at the history and practice of baking here. The informative guide charts the renaissance currently underway in the country’s baking scene, thanks to the efforts of what they eloquently describe as “a tribe of men and women who bake with skill, integrity, and a focus on health and well-being”. Featuring descriptions of more than a hundred artisan bakeries currently operating throughout the island of Ireland, the Guide can be accessed by paid subscription to their Irish Stew newsletter. As an added bonus, subscribers can also avail of an extensive back catalogue of insightful articles on Ireland’s food scene, with a feature on sweet and speciality bakeries and Irish flour mills also in the works. guides.ie ORGANIC FOOD FAIR The end of this month sees the National Organic Food Fair showcasing its wares in Merrion Square. A weekend of live cookery demonstrations features chefs and experts including Marc Michel, Clodagh McKenna, Thien Laitenberger, and Fiona Uyeme, each of whom will be sharing their culinary talents using exclusively organic ingredients as part of a series of interactive cooking demos. There’s also a chance to sample a wide menu of traditional farmto-fork dishes in addition to healthy plant based offerings and a selection of tasty treats, with opportunities to discover delicious organic produce courtesy of a wide range of organically certified vendors and exhibitors. A series of traditional fair games, puppet shows and face-painting are also on the menu, alongside a dedicated ‘Kid’s Education Corner’ hosted by gardener Klaus Laitenberger. Saturday August 31st and Sunday September 1st. organictrust.ie FOXY NEW WINE BAR IN KIMMAGE HOT LOVE The newest addition to Kimmage’s culinary scene has landed in the form of Le Petit Renard (LPR), a foxy new wine bar which opened on Sundrive Road earlier this summer under the stewardship of Romain Tessier and Suzanne Hodgkinson, the husband and wife team behind the Arty Baker shops. For those wondering about its French nomenclature, we’re told the name emerged after the couple’s chance meeting with an urban fox on a walk home from the city one night, an event that sparked the idea to open a French village style wine bar. The vibe is described as ‘simple and relaxed’ with a delightful menu that nicely complements the wines on offer – crunchy smoked almonds, garlic marinated olives, and gorgeous saucisson sur planchet served with delicious breads made fresh daily by Romain. The menu du jour also includes small plates of daily fresh cheeses, charcuterie boards for sharing, and creamy burrata with caramelized figs and Romain’s homemade roasted red pepper dip. For afters, there’s a dessert comprising a creamy chocolate mousse with olive oil, topped with hazelnuts and sea salt, which pairs brilliantly with a nice glass of red. Yum! @lprwinebar 34 Following numerous requests from patrons of NYC inspired pizza spot Bambino, we were thrilled to see the release of a limited batch of their signature Hot Honey sauce. Made to be enjoyed every which way possible – from savoury to sweet, in salads, on pizzas, ice cream, even in cocktails – the magic sauce pours sweet and not too spicy, with a tincture of acidity to balance it out. A small initial run was organised in early July, which promptly sold out, leading to a promise from its creators to whip up another batch sometime soon. We understand that they are also currently exploring the possibility of producing these versatile beauties on a more permanent basis. For details of future release dates, keep an eye on their socials. @bambino_dublin LITTLE WASHER We first heard about the imminent arrival of Little Washer as we were inking our August edition, and we have high hopes for the latest addition to the Northside dining scene. The brainchild of Elaine Murphy, champion of Ireland’s artisan food producers long before it ever became ‘a thing’, the younger sprog of The Washerwoman of Glasnevin is envisaged as a ‘general craic hub’, with the prospect of a wine bar, pizzeria and some nice Italian nibbles to look forward to. The new suburban addition is currently being fitted out in its best bib and tucker before rolling up its sleeves and scrubbing in alongside prestigious forebears The Winding Stair, The Woollen Mills and The Legal Eagle. 66 Glasnevin Hill, Dublin 9. @littlewasher