Have you ever wondered where the food experts like to dine over the Christmas period? Ciara McQuillan finds out…
Dervilla O’Flynn, Ballymaloe House A former student of Ballymaloe Cookery School, after graduation Dervilla became a teacher in the cookery school and for the past six years, has been head chef at Ballymaloe House.
Dervilla’s Festive Fancy “Like most chefs, I don’t get many nights off during the festive season, however when I do, I choose The Glass Curtain or Goldie in Cork city. The Glass Curtain serves really consistent, exciting food and the open kitchen creates a bit of theatre. At Goldie, watching Aishling Moore orchestrate her service is all part of the dining experience. She dances around her tiny kitchen, producing really delicious and fun small plates of all things fishy to share with friends.” Coming Soon. Aishling Moore’s debut cookbook, Whole Catch, to be published next year. Goldie, 128 Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork, 021 239 8720; www.goldie.ie. The Glass Curtain, Thompson House, MacCurtain Street, Cork, 021 451 8659; www.theglasscurtain.ie.
Philip Brazil, The K Club With stints at Castle Leslie, Sheen Falls, Roly’s Bistro and Fota Island Resort under his belt, Philip is now executive chef at The K Club in Kildare, overseeing all food served at the hotel, including at The Barton, the fine dining restaurant.
Philip’s Festive Fancy Philip’s top choice for a Christmas meal out is Keenan’s of Tarmonbarry, on the bank of the River Shannon. “Keenan’s menus are a winning combination of classic favourites and contemporary dishes. The beautiful surroundings of the river Shannon, excellent friendly staff, and great Irish Coffee and hot port make it a favourite with all my family and friends.” Stay Over. Keenan’s of Tarmonbarry has been a landmark property in Roscommon for over six generations, and is a great base for exploring Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands or to enjoy the waterways in the area. Keenan’s of Tarmonbarry, Tarmonbarry, Co Roscommon, 043 332 6098; www.keenanshotel.ie.
Barry Sun, Volpe Nera From the Liaoning province in the north of China, chef Barry Sun earned his culinary stripes in a variety of Dublin kitchens including Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, Bon Appetit, and L’Ecrivain, before spending five years at Etto as head chef. In 2019, he opened the Michelin Bib Gourmand Volpe Nera in Blackrock in Co Dublin.
Barry’s Festive Fancy “On Christmas Eve, we invite our Chinese friends to Volpe Nera for lunch and I cook. On St Stephen’s Day, we go to Lao on Parnell Street for hotpot. It’s a traditional Chinese restaurant with authentic Northern Chinese food, and having a hotpot during the winter months reminds us of home.” Do Try. Parnell Street’s Lao Chinese Restaurant and Korean Barbecue, featuring traditional dishes such as stir-fried whelks accompanied by plum wine. Lao Chinese and Korean BBQ Restaurant, 102 Parnell Street, Dublin 1, 01 873 6666; www.lao.ie.
Jess Murphy, Kai Galway New Zealand native Jess Murphy moved to Ireland almost 20 years ago and made her home in Galway city. An ardent supporter of Irish produce and the Irish food industry, Jess, with her husband David, opened the enduringly popular restaurant, Kai (Maori for food), in 2011.
Jess’s Festive Fancy. “It has to be Sheridans Wine Bar with pals for a big Italian red, and a whole baked mini Mont d’Or which is a Christmas special of theirs. It’s always packed with Kai regulars so it’s nice to have Christmas catchups and chats.” Cheese Legends. Galway city is home to Sheridans’ original market cheese stall founded by brothers Kevin and Seamus Sheridan. Sheridans now has outposts all over Ireland, including shop-in-shops at Dunnes Stores. Sheridans Wine Shop and Bar, 14-16 Churchyard Street, Galway, 091 564 832; www.sheridanscheesemongers.com.
Sunil Ghai, Pickle Sunil Ghai’s bold, contemporary style of cooking has transformed the Indian restaurant landscape. He owns a trio of top restaurants: Pickle on Dublin’s Camden Street, Tiffin by Sunil in Greystones and Street Restaurant in Dundrum.
Sunil Ghai’s Festive Fancy “I had no idea about Christmas when I started working in the hospitality industry. Before, it was like a Big Day (or Bada-Din in Hindi) for all of us at home. Every year, I go for lunch or dinner at China Sichuan in Sandyford. It has become a ritual and is the perfect place to celebrate the festival with friends and family.” Do Try Kevin Hui’s China Sichuan, one of Dublin’s (deservedly) legendary high-end Chinese restaurants. It’s a different dining experience to a neighbourhood Chinese restaurant ? lunch or dinner is a real treat, plus, the post-dinner Irish Coffee is excellent. China Sichuan, The Forum, Ballymoss Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18, 01 293 5100; www.china-sichuan.ie.