THE steady progression throughout the country which has seen areas heretofore starved of much culinary invention getting their act together continues. This time it's Co Louth where things are looking up, and the opening of a new vegetarian restaurant, The Hazel Tree, is to be warmly welcomed.
The chef is Paul Buggle, who cooked years ago in Dublin's fine Bananas restaurant. The menu includes dishes such as tostados - deep fried corn pancakes served with a spicy bean and vegetable mix - felafel and millet croquettes, stirfries and lasagne, and there are a wide range of snacks, starters and desserts. Organic vegetables come from the Philipstown Trust, in Ravensdale, and the restaurant shares its space with a wholefood; shop run by Anna Breivik. You will find them in The Iomlanu Centre, in Roden Place. The restaurant is currently open from "Monday to Saturday Paul hopes to secure a wine licence soon and will then open up for evening meals.