The owner and head chef of Arán Artisan Bakery & Bistro in Kilkenny on her ideal foodie weekend …
When I get time off, my ideal weekend is staying in with our four fur babies in front of the fire, a glass of Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage Rosé and a movie with my husband, Bart.
FRIDAY NIGHT DINNER
I like to treat myself and have dinner in Nomo Ramen in Dublin. I normally start with Kimchi Karaage Bun, followed by Karai Miso Ramen with extra chilli rayu as it’s the perfect balance of flavours that brings me back home to the Philippines. If we’re going out with friends, our local hangout is Sullivan’s in Kilkenny. They have such a nice, cosy, dog-friendly seating area, so there’s always space for our big group. They make their own craft beer and their cocktails are always on point. I always have their cauliflower wings with hot honey sauce on the side.
SATURDAY
The most important ingredients for me are relaxation and good food. For breakfast, I make Turkish Eggs with our own sourdough. Cooking relaxes me and I love it in the comfort of my home kitchen. If I happen to go into town for lunch, I grab a savoury scroll in our local bakery with a cup of coffee. For dinner, we drive to Terra Madre in Dublin. It’s a small, charming restaurant that serves very simple and authentic Italian food. I have the involtini di bresaola for starters and I’m obsessed with their ravioli al “pain” with black truffle, which is handmade by “pinching” the way their grandmother used to make it. It’s hands down my favourite main because it reminds me of my first few years as a chef in Italy.
MY WEEKEND FOOD SHOPPING
I like to get my vegetables from our local farmers, like Vincent from Riversfield Organic Farm, or from the Farmers Market every Thursday. I tend to gravitate towards fresh and seasonal veg. I also love fresh fish, so I normally get it from the Fisherman’s Market in Hebron, or from Kish Fish. I try to visit the Sunday market in Mountain View in Ballyhale when it’s open. I love browsing through the local artisan producers to put together a fab dinner for that evening.
FAVOURITE PRODUCTS?
It goes without saying, I love our Arán Magic Sauce. It goes on anything and everything! I also have to have Rivesci sauce in my fridge. It’s the perfect mix of spiciness, sweetness and crunch to elevate any dish.
WHAT’S THE ONE MEAL YOU COULD EAT EVERY DAY?
I’m a brunch fiend. My go-to dish is butter toasted sourdough fried until it’s golden brown and crispy, topped with Tom & Ollie’s Mexican Chilli Feta Tapenade, No-vacado (our homemade alternative as avocados are not sustainable), a runny poached egg from Ballon Farms in Carlow, topped with Rivesci Cashew Chili Crunch, Mooncoin Beetroot and toasted pumpkin seeds.
WEEKEND TIPPLES?
Whiskey Sour (or with gin instead). I love tasting new things, so I also tend to ask the bartender what their specialty is and I try it.
SEE MORE: Meeran Manzoor, Executive Head Chef at The Blue Haven Collection and Rare, Kinsale