Good times in Provence:Doing a bit of pre-trip research, and getting suggestions from people who know what they're talking about, can turn a good holiday into a great one, especially where restaurant and hotel recommendations are concerned.
Wine writer Mary Dowey says that Provence, and the wine producing regions of the southern Rhône in particular, is her favourite part of the world. She spends quite a lot of time there, visiting vineyards, staying in great hotels, and eating in some of the region’s best restaurants. Her new website, provencefoodandwine.com, is a must-read for anyone planning a holiday in the region this summer. It’s full of insider tips on how to access the best of what Provence has to offer, including hotels, restaurants, food producers, winemakers, markets and festivals.“While visiting producers for wine articles, I began to make so many other great gastronomic discoveries that it seemed crazy not to spread the word about them. As I was a travel and food writer before getting into wine, it is satisfying now to combine all three.” She plans to add five new places to the site every week so it’s worth checking in regularly.
Down Mexico way
MEXICAN FOOD HAS been slow to take off in Ireland, although the opening of a couple of new Mexican restaurants in Dublin – Pablo Picante on Baggot Street and Cortina’s in Dundrum – suggests we are now discovering our taste for this complex and often misunderstood cuisine.
Former Masterchef winner Thomasina Miers, who taught a class at her alma mater, Ballymaloe Cookery School, last weekend, has a Mexican street food restaurant called Wahaca in London’s Covent Garden which is very authentic and inexpensive. Miers has just published Mexican Food Made Simple (Hodder Stoughton, £20). As colourful and vibrant as the food it describes, this is a great introduction to Mexican cooking. Anything by US author Rick Bayless, who recently cooked for the Obamas in the White House, or Diana Kennedy, an acknowledged authority on Mexican food, will also be reliable and a good read.
Sourcing ingredients for Mexican cooking used to be a problem, but there are several online suppliers that can provide much of what is needed. The South Devon Chilli Farm, southdevonchillifarm.co.uk, sells a gift pack of five different chillies selected for Mexican cooking – De Arbol, Ancho Mulato, Aji Amarillo, Pasilla and Guajillo, for £19, including postage to Ireland.
You can also get your tastebuds attuned to the flavours by picking up some of the sauces, spice mixes, salsas and jalapenos in the new Mexican range from MS (three for two until the beginning of next month). The enchilada sauce, smoky chipotle salsa and ancho chilli mole all come highly recommended. The fajita and enchilada meal kits (€4.49), contain tortillas, spice mix and sauce, and just need chicken, onions and peppers added to make a quick supper. mcdigby@irishtimes.com
It’s Asian Food Festival time at the Conrad hotel in Dublin 2, and chef Boonserm Tanavibull has travelled from the Conrad Bangkok to oversee the event, which runs until tomorrow. You can enjoy a three-course Asian menu, sample some of chef Boonserm’s specialities, or nibble on Japanese sushi in Alexis restaurant and lounge. Alfie’s Bar, Bistro and Grill is hosting a barbecue with an Asian twist tomorrow in the hotel’s courtyard.
