Agak-Agak – the eagerly awaited cookbook from Sham Hanifa, whose combining of Chinese, Thai, Indian and Malay influences has made his Roscommon restaurant, The Cottage, a place of foodie pilgrimage – is officially out now.

From his grandmother’s nibblesome Crab Laska to his own renowned Lamb Rendang, everything that comes out of his wok is packed with bold Asian flavours and – armed with Sham’s tricks of the trade – easy to recreate at home.

You can order a copy of the tome direct from blastabooks.com, who’ve also announced the October 24 publication of Alistair Jeje’s Socafro: A Culinary Symphony From Nigeria And Trinidad & Tobago…

Fresh from being crowned as the Restaurant Association of Ireland’s top eatery, Dede in Baltimore, Co. Cork has opened a casual dining offshoot, Baba'de.

Chef Ahmed will be offering the same blend of Turkish tradition and artisan Irish ingredients that has already bagged them two Michelin stars at decidedly non-Michelin star prices.

If you get to visit before we do, let us know how you get on!

Baba'de

We’re hearing extremely good things about EMBER, the new flame-kissed offering within the Kilkenny Hibernian Hotel.

While there are plenty of non-carnivorous offerings – the Pulled BBQ Jackfruit Burger is awesome! - it’s the chargrilled steaks and slowly roasted chicken that have us drooling with delight.

EMBER

Meanwhile, it’s a big Hot Flavours “Hola!” to Pickosito Taqueria, a real deal Mexican joint upstairs from Wayback Burgers on Mary Street, Dublin 1.

Construct your own tacos or go for the Shredded Chicken Emmoladas with Mole Sauce, Sour Cream and Rice or one of the other equally awesome specials.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Pickosito Northern Mexican Taquería (@pickosito.taqueria)

Tipple Of The Month:

Lough Gill 9.7% Sunrise By Night - Raspberry Vanilla Sour
Fears that being taken over might have diluted the Sligo brewery’s wonderfulness are allayed by this whopper of a summer sour. Although the raspberry and vanilla flavours are bold, they’re not overpowering or sickly sweet with the creamy mouthfeel adding to the yumminess. Be warned that it drinks like a beer half its ABV – at 9.7% it’s getting towards wine territory – so keep an eye on the can count.