Pop up restaurant at The Armagh Festival of Food and Cider

To celebrate the festival of Food and Cider Festival taking place in Armagh( 5-9 October) a special pop up restaurant was set up in the public library in the city centre.

Well I like food, I like pop up restaurants, I like Armagh and I love cider so when I was invited to enjoy the pop up experience I didn’t hesitate before saying yes.   I was particularly excited that a number of local chefs would be preparing the menu featuring the best of local produce and of course, local Armagh Apple cider!

On arrival, my friend Lindsey and I were greeted by local historical characters who directed us to a drinks reception of local cider served with sloe gin- delicious!  We were shown to our seats spread throughout the Dean’s home in the library before he said grace from his hallway, ensuring that everyone could hear him.

Out chefs for the evening were Simon Dougan from Yellow Door,  Gareth Reid from Four Vicars and Sean Fanan from the Moody Boar. They served us up a feast, second to none!

For our starter we were served a local seafood platter with cider poached mussels, cured poll an, applewood smoked Glenarm salmon, pan seared Lough Neagh eels, picked cucumber, golden beetroot and lemon fennel dressing. A selection of breads and my favourite Aberneth butter was also served. It sounds a lot but it was exquisitely presented with a little of each ingredient to sample. Seafood has never been a favourite of mine but I enjoyed every  bite!

The main course was slow cooked cider & brown sugar cured pork run with black pudding & apple fritter, celeriac cream, Fried kale, wild mushrooms with Armagh crab apple gravy. This dish was divine with moist melt in the moth pork and a perfect combination of tastes and textures.

Our dessert was caramelised Armagh Apple frangipane with Vanilla custard and macerated blackberries- divine!

All this was washed down with a variety of Armagh ciders from McIvor and Long Meadow.

This to me was a highlight of Northern Ireland’s year of food and drink. Great hospitality, a unique venue, a cool Lord Mayor, sublime food and a range of amazing ciders.

I urge you to get yourselves to Armagh to enjoy the rest of the festival. You won’t regret it!