Rhubarb Chutney

Rhubarb Chutney is a spring time staple here at the restaurant. Because Rhubarb is in season weeks before strawberries I look for other uses for this fantastically assertive and beautiful vegetable. Rhubarb Collins is a pretty pink gin drink we make yearly around Mother’s Day and Rhubarb Chutney accompanies the Cheese Board and our Roast Chicken. Unlike some chutney that needs to cook for hours to meld the vinegar and sugar and fruit flavours, this is a quick recipe. In... Read More

Madeleines

I lived in Paris for two years in the 1980’s, a “jeune fille au-pair”, completely smitten by every Pattisserie I encountered. Oddly I don’t ever remember eating a Madeleine in Paris. Back then my obsession was Macarons au Chocolat. Not the dainty ones that are now fashionable, but big hefty chewy versions. Madeleines I discovered at Marquet patisserie on 12th street in Manhattan. Just off Fifth Avenue, it had a wonderful European feel. After lunch when I paid at the counter... Read More

Mashed Potatoes

Being Irish I feel a particular pride in making really fabulous mashed potatoes. I’ve had mashed potatoes in fancy restaurants that were made with such a high ratio of butter to potato that I feel they cannot be truly called mashed potatoes.  The richness of that rendition sends the dish to a rarified place.  And of course I’ve had those gluey versions that are prevalent in diners. It’s another one of those so-called humble ingredients that frequently gets treated like... Read More