Around the Table: 52 Essays on Food & Life, by Diana Henry
A wonderful collection of essays from Diana Henry that spans her entire back catalogue, from her first bestseller, Crazy Water, Pickled Lemons, to her latest, From the Oven to the Table. Follow her taste buds around the world, from growing up in Northern Ireland, the French Alps, and Turkish shops on London’s Edgeware Road to the bright lights of New York City, with food always at the heart. Also available as an audiobook, read by the author.
The Dublin Pub: A Social and Cultural History, by Donal Fallon
Pubs aren’t just about drinking – they’re a vital part of Dublin’s social fabric, and no one brings this to life better than Donal Fallon. From Victorian snugs, murals and morals, coddles and crisps, Fallon delivers a unique take on Dublin history through some of its best-loved pubs and in a manner that is as easy to drink in as the pints that have been poured in the many establishments he delves into. Read the review
[ Party time: five simple but delicious cocktails to make with sparkling wineOpens in new window ]
Bar 1661 Cocktail Menus
Bar 1661, just off Dublin’s Capel Street, is not only considered to be Ireland’s best cocktail bar, but also one of the best in the world. No wonder then their cocktail menus are in demand enough to be sold as merch. Yes, it’s a menu, not a cocktail recipe book, but true cocktail fans will delight in having a copy of this for home.
The Condiment Book, by Claire Dinhut
Not a cookbook, says the author, but more of “a personal diary about condiments”. It’s basically a flavour manual for that person who always has a fridge or shelves full of jars and tubes. A powerhouse of a book, it’s jam-packed, covering everything from dressings, dips, hot sauces, salt, odds and ends, flavour pairings, historical facts and lots more.
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Filthy Queens: A History of Beer in Ireland, by Dr Christina Wade
If the historical inaccuracies of the House of Guinness irked you, then this raucous, detailed history book could go some way to making amends. Dr Christina Wade brings us through the history of beer in Ireland with dark and entertaining stories featuring zombies, murderers, saints and monks. You’ll learn much more than you could ever imagine about beer and Ireland, and have a great time doing so.
Who’s Afraid of Romanée-Conti?: A Shortcut to Drinking Great Wines, by Dan Keeling
This irreverent collection of essays and guides from Dan Keeling, who’s behind Noble Rot magazine and the London restaurants of the same name, is not your typical wine book. It’s more his shortcuts to drinking great wines that include how to choose wines, find alternatives, when to open them, and when to drink them. He praises wine makers, living wines, and small producers. It’s all beautifully informal and down to earth.
The Anthony Bourdain Reader: New, Classic and Rediscovered Writing, by Anthony Bourdain
The next best thing to travelling the world is reading about Anthony Bourdain doing it. He could be in Vietnam or drinking vodka, writing about French restaurants or highway diners, it’s all utterly delicious, insightful and entertaining. This tome brings together writing, essays, photos, graphic novel excerpts, some of his most well-loved recipes and never-before-published pieces. Read our review
Blood, Sweat and Asparagus Spears: The Story of the 1990s Restaurant Revolution, by Andrew Turvil
In the 1990s, foodies were a rare breed. Marco, Gordon, Nigella, and Jamie had yet to become household names. Yet, a restaurant revolution was under way. In this book, former Good Food Guide editor Andrew Turvil explores the movers, bakers, restaurants, and dishes that shaped a new food and restaurant scene. From White Heat and St John to the River Cafe and Rick Stein, and how they all played a part in creating the food culture we all love so much today.
The Dublin Coffee Guide, by Paddy Kirk
This is more than a guidebook. Paddy Kirk has been visiting and photographing the cafes and coffee shops of Dublin for the past few years and sharing them on Instagram. He’s now gathered his cool, candid photography alongside chats he’s had with cafe owners into this beautiful book that really captures a moment in time. It covers Dublin city and its surrounds, highlighting some of the best independent coffee shops, and there are nice tips for home brewers, too.
Crunch: The History of Crisps, by Natalie Whittle
Don’t let the fact that this is not strictly about Irish crisps put you off – Crunch is a captivating look at crisps’ evolution over the past 150 years or so, spanning the globe and chronicling flavours, rituals and brands. Bonus points go to Whittle for her chapter on Cheese & Onion that firmly acknowledges them as a Dublin invention.
