A TASTE OF DUBLIN        

Savoring the Fabulous Food Scene in Dublin City

By Bonnie Carroll

If you are a true foodie, and you want to see the brightest and the best in Dublin, you need to meet Evelyn Coyle, a lovely young Irish woman who will show you the town’s food highlights. Evelyn represents Fabulous Food Trails, and the poor girl spends whole days taking visitors to the best kept food secret venues in Dublin, as well as the well known spots. If you wihs a tour visit: www.fabulousfoodtrails.ie.

Our adventure included a complete tour of the City Market, whre food booths and gift booths fill an entire block. We visited Morrisseys Family Butchers, where we met owner Hugh Morrissey, who is the father of Miss Ireland 2006, and a huge photo of her was up on his wall. Morrissey’s six daughters and two sons are also partners in the family business. Email: morrisseysfamilybutchers@yahoo.ie.

We also visited Sheridans Cheesemongers, a delightful shop filled with delicious Irish and imported cheeses. Irish farmhouse cheese selection included Cashel Blue, Durrus, Cooleeney, Knockanore Smoked. The shop also sells wonderful biscuits and crackers, Sheridan’s fig compote and imported wines to suit all budgets. The shop is green and sharp looking with shelves filled with gourmet delights. For information visit www.sheridanscheesemongers.com.

Cassidy’s Pub was closed when we went sailing by, but the place has a stellar reputation for outrageous fun and hearty drinkin', and on my next trip I will get back there. However, the Temple Bar was not closed, and I must say the party scene in fair Dublin is huge and goes on into the wee hours of the morning. These people know how to have a good time.

Dessert and tea can be nice at The Cake Café in The Daintree Building on Pleasants Place. The chef/baker is a dear girl from the US who went to Dublin after a man, but ended up creating and operating a great bake shop. They specialize in beautiful cakes, and offer the hippest in cup cakes; just like sprinkles in Beverly Hills, but the tea in Ireland is always better. This building is located across the street from the original Abby Theatre, and has a wonderful paper and pen shop in it. Visit: www.thecakecafe.ie.

The outdoor street vendors sell a bevy of fruits and vegetables, as well as fresh flowers. These family business’ are open daily and are passed from mother to daughter. Pork and meat shops are plentiful in Dublin, as are the pubs. Antique shops are fun to visit, and I bought a coin that was once used to cross one of the main bridges. This is a great way to see Dublin from another point of view, and it was delicious.

LEARN THE ART OF CHOCOLATE MAKING THIS EASTER AT PARIS' HOTEL FOUQUET'S BARRIÈRE

This Easter Paris' ultra-chic Hotel Fouquet's Barrière will teach guests a valuable life lesson: how to make gourmet chocolate from scratch.  The hotel's renowned Pastry Chef Jean-Luc Labat will hold a complimentary workshop on Monday, April 13 from 2-5 PM at the hotel's fine dining restaurant, Le Diane, where he will reveal some (...but not all!) of his chocolate-making secrets, including the molding and decorating of Easter eggs.  Upon completion each guest will receive an apron embroidered with a "D" for Le Diane, a wooden cooking spoon and a chef's hat.     A special overnight Easter Package is also on offer, which, carrying on in the chocolate tradition, includes:  -One night accommodation in a luxurious room or suite -Special chocolate treatment at the hotel's U Spa, including a chocolate-based body scrub, massage with chocolate and mango butter and an edible chocolate treat -Complimentary access to the U Spa's indoor swimming pool, aqua-slimming trail, fitness center, sauna and steam room -Daily continental breakfast -Lunch or dinner for two at the renowned Fouquet's restaurant -VIP welcome amenities The Easter Package is valid from April 10 to 13, 2009, and rates, based on double occupancy, start at EURO 850 (approximately $1,105) for a Superior Room (other room categories available upon request).   About Hotel Fouquet's Barrière Located at the corner of the Champs Elysées and Avenue Georges V, Hotel Fouquet's Barrière opened its doors November 2006 and is the first "palace" style hotel - i.e. five star - to open in Paris in almost 80 years (the George V, unveiled in 1928, was the last).  A unique combination of modern-chic and fin-de-siécle grandeur, Fouquet's was designed by architect Edouard François in traditional Paris "Haussmann" style, while Jacques Garcia oversaw the interior design.   Decadent materials of velvet, mahogany, marble, silk and embroidered leather fuse beautifully with high-tech digital equipment -- such as wall mirrors that amazingly turn into televisions -- and a special emphasis is put on service, with personal butlers being assigned to each guest upon arrival.   To learn more visit www.fouquets-barriere.com.

 

According to the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, the market for convenience food products in the United States reached 13.4 billion dollars last year and is expected to continue to grow. That is why Simply Asia¨ is making it easier for consumers to enjoy Asian cuisine at home with convenient products that help to create great-tasting meals in minutes. 

Japanese Government and Non-Profits to Host

Japanese Food Events in Southern California

March 5-8, 2009

With over 1000 competitive Japanese restaurants to choose from, Japanese food lovers in Southern California can be demanding and discerning when selecting a place to eat.  Consumers are demanding more authentic Japanese dishes in comparison to a few decades ago when Japanese restaurants were adjusting their ingredients and cuisine to match American tastes. Eight Japanese government and non-profit organizations have partnered together to host five food events between March 5^th to 8^th, 2009 to introduce some of the top local Japanese restaurants and food providers to Southern California. From industry-only business events to food-tasting festivals for Japanese food lovers, pick your event and come join us to share a memorable experience!

Featured Events:

 Japanese Food & Sake Festival 2009

Thursday, March 5, 2009

3:00PM-5:00PM Business to Business Reception Invitation Only

5:00PM-8:00PM Open to Public

Hyatt Regency-Orange County: 11999 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove, CA 92840

Hosted by: Japanese Food Culture Association (JFCA), Japan-America Society of Southern California (JAS)

Supported by: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries of Japan (MAFF), Consulate-General of Japan in Los Angeles, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in Los Angeles, Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), The Japan Foundation, Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California

For questions, please contact: jfcaevent@japanesefoodculture.org

Website: www.japanesefoodculture.org

 Japan Pavilion & Japanese Food Demonstration: Natural Products Expo Industry Only

March 6-8, 2009

CioccolaTò 2009
7th Edition
March 6th to 15th 2009
Day & Night in the Piazze of Torino

Get a Chocopass and experience a weekend of chocolate for just 12,00 €.

This year’s CioccolaTo’ will be all about seduction unleashed by chocolate!
cultural meetings, sampling workshops and the hundreds of maitres chocolatier booths.
 
CioccolaTò has consolidated its success over the last 6 years and has become a meeting place for sweet-toothed individuals of all ages.

As well, it is a valuable opportunity for master chocolate makers, major Italian and international brands, and for members of the public interested in gaining scientific knowledge of the product.

INITIATIVES:
- Ten Days That Shook The Insatiable: theory and practical lessons with internationally renowned master chocolate makers.

- CioccolaTò DINNERS: the battle of the sexes!
- The CioccolaTò Factory and The School of CioccolaTò in Piazza Vittorio
- NEW Affordable Excellence Booth: In these times of crisis, what more can you ask than a delicious, melting square of chocolate to save youself from sadness?!

To discover more about CioccolaTo’ please find below the press release
or visit www.cioccola-to.com  

                               CioccolaTò 2009

7th edition

TEN DAYS OF TASTINGS, ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE!

Torino, March 6th-15th 2009

The 2009 edition is dedicated to seduction unleashed by Chocolate.

Entertainment, culture, and music are the main ingredients, as well as

Chef’s Dinners, the Chocolate Factory, the CioccolaTo’ School,

and The Affordable Excellence pavilion!

CioccolaTò is an event of international character – staged by the City of Torino, the Province of Torino and the Piemonte Region, and organised by the Articiock Association – with which the region celebrates the “Italian way of chocolate,” encouraging local production and supporting the region as a genuine chocolate-making “district” (38.7% of chocolate production in Italy takes place in this area)!

After the great success of the past six editions, CioccolaTo’ is renewing itself and becoming even more seductive this year!

This year’s kermesse will be all about seduction unleashed by chocolate: which includes cultural meetings, sampling workshops and the hundreds of maitres chocolatier booths that will be dedicated to this theme. Chocolate has always been known for exalting affinities, and goes along beautifully with hazelnuts, fruit, spices, tea, coffee, almond, and nougat. But also, surprisingly, with oil, salt, pepper, and cheese!

CioccolaTò has consolidated its success over the last few years and has become, for Torino and for Piemonte, a meeting place for sweet-toothed individuals of all ages. As well, it is a valuable opportunity for master chocolate makers, major Italian and international brands, and for members of the public interested in gaining scientific knowledge of the product (and its uses and accompaniments).

 PROGRAM of the initiatives scheduled for this year’s event include:

 - Ten Days That Shook The Insatiable (I dieci giorni che sconvolsero i golosi): after last year’s success, a series of theory and practical lessons with internationally renowned master chocolate makers. Clara and Gigi Padovani, known as the “bittersweet couple” of journalism, will be holding chocolate lessons and tastings in collaboration with Slow Food Torino.

- CioccolaTò DINNERS, the battle of the sexes!
The first dinner on March 6th , 8.30 PM at Circolo Ufficiali will be entirely feminine; chefs, service and wine (in conjunction with the Italian Women’s Day).

The second dinner on March 13th, 8.30 PM at Circolo Ufficiali will be entirely masculine.
Both dinners are open to the public with advanced reservation for € 60,00 until seats are sold out.

- The CioccolaTò Factory (La Fabbrica di CioccolaTò): an important appointment in Piazza Vittorio, an entire area where visitors can observe in detail the various stages of the chocolate making process, from roasting to shaping.

 
- School of CioccolaTò (Scuola di CioccolaTò) an actual classroom, located in Piazza Vittorio, will be hosting lessons about chocolate: its history, geography and food education, as well as workshops promoting the culture of chocolate.

 
- NEW Affordable Excellence Booth will sell all chocolates produced during the workshops so visitors will be able to buy these delicacies at a very affordable price.

In these times of crisis, what more can you ask than a delicious, melting square of chocolate to save yourself from sadness?!

 WHEN AND WHERE:

Piazza Vittorio Veneto will host the commercial exhibition and all the shows.
6-15 March 2009
Opening Friday March 6th from 11AM to 11PM
All Fridays - Saturdays, from 11 AM to 11PM
All Sundays from 10 AM to 8 PM
Monday - Thursday, from 11 AM to 8 PM

Circolo dei Lettori (Reader’s circle)
Address: Via Bogino, 9
will host tastings workshops everyday from 6.30 PM to 9 PM
(on Saturdays and Sundays also at 4 PM)
Open to the public with advanced reservation for € 12,00 until seats are sold out.  
 
Circolo Ufficiali (Officer’s circle)
Address: Corso Vinzaglio 6
will host two important and delicious dinners on Friday, March 6th and March 13th at 8.30 PM.
Open to the public with advanced reservation for € 60,00 until seats are sold out.
 
EVEN MORE.....
TORINO loves Chocolate ALL YEAR LONG
with:
-Chocopass. It is the passport to the endless seductions of chocolate! this coupon offers 23 tasting to be savored in 3 days. The best from chocolate production ever, awaits you in 36 historical cafés of Turin for just 12,00 €!

 
- Merenda Reale. For an aristocratic treat, give in to the temptation of the Merenda Reale, just as if it was the Savoy Court! Many places re-propose gourmand appointments featuring hot chocolate and delicacies of local patisseries. This happens on both Saturday, March 7th and March 14th.

 -Tour Torino Golosa. Both Saturday, March 7th and March 14th, there will be a guided tour walking trough the old town centre with a focus on historic cafés and patisseries, which quantity makes Turin the second town in the world with the highest number of historical cafés. The tour costs 16,00 €.

 TORINO’s extraordinary specialties, universally recognized:

- Giandujotto, is the tiny and world renown sweet cocoa-and-hazelnut-based delight.
- Bicerin is a drink whose roots go back to the XVIII century: a mix of hot chocolate, coffee and milk, giving the strength and energy needed to fight off the cold winter.

- Chocolate eggs at Easter: chocolate egg shaped!
- Pinguino, a crunchy plain chocolate covered ice-cream on a stick to walk by with, a truly worldwide delicacies!

For further information:
www.cioccola-to.com