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book news coming like buses · 10 July 2010

I’ve been very quiet about this – mostly because for a long time it didn’t seem at all likely to actually happen – but I’ve been working away slowly on a new book for the past couple of years. The first half of that time was spent in ridiculous procrastination about what kind of book it would be, while the publisher probably thought I was going to deliver ‘War and Peace 2 – The Cabbage Years’.

Then I hit on the brilliant idea of doing a recipe book. You know – one of those quaint books with instructions for nice things to make for dinner, and a few useful bits of information about the ingredients and variations you might find useful if you don’t actually have cime di rapa growing in your back garden.

This extraordinary idea was inspired by two things. First, I made something for dinner one night that just completely encapsulated the dual pleasures of making simple food and sharing it with someone you love. You can talk about food all you like but the pleasure of it is in cooking, sharing and, most of all, eating. And that’s the second thing – there’s just so much yak-yak about food these days, so much print and so much talk. By now, all you foodies are shopping consciously, locally and seasonally. You’ve got tomatoes on the apartment balcony and chard in the flower beds. You’ve got more food books beside your bed than in the kitchen. I still have plenty to say about all that stuff but the din of preachers is getting a bit shrill and I hate shouting over a crowd. So it seems like a good time to shut up and make dinner.

This book of simple pleasures will be hitting the bookshelves in March next year. Photography and editing start soon and I’ll try to keep you up to date in my usual diligent way. I can’t tell you the title just yet, hopefully in a week or two.

Up until a week or so ago we – we being me and the entire Harper Collins corporation – couldn’t quite put our fingers on that snappy combination of words that would make the world rush to buy the book. Then it came to me, in a flash of blinding simplicity and obviousness (is that a word?). The reason I can’t tell it to you is because the corporation is mulling it over, passing it up and down the floors and departments of Fulham Palace Road while we await white smoke. If you think my title idea is brilliant – without actually knowing what it is – put a simple yes in the comment box. All votes will be published, good, bad or indifferent.

Meanwhile, book news coming a la buses, the last one – ‘wild garlic, gooseberries…and me’ – is to be published in paperback on the 18th August. It’s got a lovely pink cover and a giveaway price, so even if you’ve got it already you’ll probably want to buy a stack of them to give as casual gifts. Here’s a link to the Harper Collins page where you can get a sneak preview of the cover – www.harpercollins.co.uk…

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PARADISO AND GORTNANAIN FARM TWO DAY PACKAGE · 5 July 2010

Stay and dine at both Cafe Paradiso and Gortnanain Farm for just €330 for two people.

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Denis at The Cookery School @ Donnybrook Fair in March · 8 February 2010

Last year, I taught a class at The Cookery School @ Donnybrook Fair in Dublin, and I’m delighted to be going back there this Spring for another outing. It’s a great space, really well set up for teaching and, best of all, you get to eat everything I demonstrate in a light buffet at the end of the class.

The date is Saturday 27th March, and you can get more information about the class here

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Paradiso Rooms re-opening · 24 January 2010

The guest accommodation over Cafe Paradiso is now open again, marking the final stage in our recovery from flood damage. Following on from the complete renovation of the dining room and kitchen, we also took the opportunity to have the rooms redecorated and they are now back to their sparkling best.

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WE MADE IT...PARADISO IS A RESTAURANT AGAIN! · 20 December 2009

Despite being very confident all through the re-building process, it’s still hard to believe that this evening Cafe Paradiso will be a restaurant again, rather than a building site.

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One work day left...doffing my hat to Allianz Insurance · 18 December 2009

The bad news is I have no photos from today. The good news is that the progress today was incredible. And I’d like to take my hat off to Alliance for backing Paradiso in getting back open as fast as we have.

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TWO DAYS TO GO... · 18 December 2009

8am on a freezing Friday morning, the building is empty except for one camera-shy carpenter cutting skirting boards.

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COUNTDOWN TO A NEW PARADISO · 15 December 2009

It still looks like a building site, which is unnerving so close to the re-opening date. But, on closer inspection…

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Paradiso Re-opening Schedule · 3 December 2009

We are delighted to be able to announce that the restaurant will re-open on Sunday 20th December, with dinner service from 5.30pm. The full schedule of our Christmas opening hours will be as follows –

Sunday 20th Dec – dinner from 5.30pm
Monday 21st Dec to Wednesday 23rd Dec – lunch from 12 noon to 3pm; dinner from 5.30pm.

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Forward Motion at Full Tilt · 27 November 2009

After a couple of potential setbacks yesterday, that had me dreading the sound of silence in Paradiso over the weekend, we signed up a building team late last night and they showed up today bang on time, eager to get going. Our engineer set a target date for re-opening on Friday the 18th December and the builders have confidently said they will make it happen.

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Progress Update on Flood Damage · 25 November 2009

The past few days have mostly been about sorting out the insurance situation and trying to put together the building and renovation team, as well as sketching out a schedule for the work. Today was also our first chance to get stuck into clearing out the debris.

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Flood Damage Update · 23 November 2009

Thanks to everyone who has posted a comment, emailed, telephoned or simply walked in to see the mess for themselves. The support and goodwill is very heartening as we try to keep our spirits up for the challenge ahead.

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Paradiso under water · 20 November 2009

The flooding in Cork overnight has left Paradiso knee-deep in water, and it seems there is more rain on the way tonight. We are currently slopping out and assessing the damage, so it is too early to say when we will be able to re-open, but it definitely won’t be this weekend. Anyone with a booking on or after Tuesday 24th November should contact the restaurant early next week, when we should have a better idea of how soon we can be back.

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Christmas cookery class with Denis at the Tannery · 19 November 2009

For anyone wondering how to cope with pesky vegetarians coming to Christmas dinner, or if you feel like doing a Gwyneth Paltrow by becoming a flexitarian for the day, Saturday 12th December is a date you’ll want to put in your diary.

Christmas Menu · 16 September 2009

We are now taking bookings for small groups and parties during the coming Christmas period, Our three course seasonal menu, detailed here, is priced at €45 per person.

To book, call the restaurant on 021 4277939.

Chanterelle foraging at last · 14 September 2009 by Denis Cotter

For three years now we’ve been getting an amazing supply of chanterelles from said Mary. Mushrooms isn’t her real surname…

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Artichokes on the move · 15 August 2009

For anyone who loves artichokes this is a window of opportunity to eat something truly rare – the fruit of a labour of love of an extraordinarily brilliant grower.

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One night special offer returns for May · 9 April 2009

Just in time for asparagus season, the one night special offer returns in May.

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FRIDAY LUNCH IS BACK! · 12 March 2009

Two months into our new opening hours, I’m happy to say that the 5.30pm start for dinner is proving to be a success, with a very positive response to our pre-theatre menus. I’m even happier to be able to say that we are about to re-open our Friday lunch service.

Great winter deals in Paradiso Rooms! · 22 January 2009

Dinner and accomodation for €100, available until the end of March

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