Pots of style: Nicholas Mosse Pottery, in Co Kilkenny, is launching a special edition "Celebration Bowl" to mark its 30th anniversary.
The new pattern, which will be made only this year, combines one of the original spongeware patterns, of a bluebird, with wild rose. Another addition to the range, available from this month, is a very striking pattern called Wildflower Meadow (above), which the company says is one of the most challenging to decorate by hand. The pottery is available from the Irish Country Shop, next to the factory in Bennettsbridge, where some seconds are sold at reduced prices. The Celebration Bowl costs about €100. Nicholas Mosse Pottery, Bennettsbridge, Co Kilkenny, 056-7727105, www.nicholasmosse.com
FULL OF BEANS Cocoa Bean Chocolates, the artisan-chocolate company run by sisters Sarah Hehir and Emily Sandford, is launching a range of flavours devised for St Valentine's Day. The fig-and-star-anise, white-truffle, red-hot-chilli, and honey moon (a blend of wild-flower honey and Madagascar vanilla) bars each contains an ingredient claimed to have aphrodisiac qualities. "Eating this chocolate may result in increased desire", says the warning on each bar - yes, we know, one square is never enough. The Valentine's bars cost €3.50-€3.95 each from delicatessens, food shops and other outlets nationwide, as well as by mail order (see www.cocoabeanchocolates.com). Mail or telephone order - to 061-446615 - is also the only way, other than attending the weekly Limerick farmers' market, to buy Cocoa Bean fresh truffles. They come in wooden boxes of 20 and cost €30, with a €12 overnight-courier delivery charge for any number of boxes.
WINE BARGAINS The wine list at the First Floor restaurant in Harvey Nichols, Dundrum, will be charged at its wine-shop, rather than restaurant, prices every Tuesday night until the summer. The Chatham Brasserie on Chatham Street, Dublin 2 is offering all wines at half price every Monday and Tuesday. There are further last-minute discounts at Cellars, the Big Wine Warehouse, Naas Road, Dublin 12, whose sale ends on Monday.