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WORTH THE DETOUR
Weary of pretentious food, slow service and ultra-cool staff who clearly wish you went elsewhere - say another country - rather than come cluttering up their immediate vicinity?
I'm no foodie, but I do recognise good, basic food when served it. The Road House, about 15 minutes by car beyond Ashbourne and about three miles shy of Slane village, has been in business about for a little more than a month, under the management of chef Bridget Bonner.
Bonner, originally from Waterford, trained in Cork and worked in London as well as the Station House Hotel in Kilmessan, Co Meath. While driving by some weeks ago, she noticed the premises, previously a well-known spot for truckers, was for rent. The Road House, outside which a large plastic chef beckons passing motorists, now seats about 60 and is bright, friendly, acceptably noisy and offers breakfast all day.
Bacon, scrambled eggs and sausages, with tea, coffee or in our case, milky hot chocolate, and double rounds of perfect toast cost €5 each. The Road House also has a world-class carrot cake. Eileen Battersby
IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE WOODS
Unpacking a picnic somewhere beautiful is one of life's pleasures. Enhance it further with a 1930s picnic basket from Retrospect on Cow's Lane, Temple Bar (01-6726188). Made from Bakelite, an early form of plastic, it costs €85. A suitcase-style box holds green plates, cups, and cutlery. Although it includes two tin boxes, there's not much room for food in a box like this, or most other modern picnic baskets for that matter, so pack your lunch into wicker baskets. TK Maxx usually has a selection. The problem with picnics is that they can be uncomfortable, so it's a good idea to take along a few big cushions. Rugs always seem to get grass stuck in them, so cover yours with an heavy old linen sheet. It will add some style to the event and is softer than wool. Contact Della Bagnall (01-4512775), who deals in antique linen and takes part in various fairs around the country. And pack a bin liner. Eoin Lyons
HAVE APRON, WILL TRAVEL
Gourmet On Tour is a London-based company that offers bespoke gourmet holidays, from two-day cookery courses to two-week gastronomic adventures. You can join a group tour from the selection on the website, or put together your own trip from a comprehensive listing of culinary experiences across four continents. It's not cheap, but this really is the holy grail of gourmet holidays. Wine lovers are also catered for. Gourmet On Tour also has access to stars of the culinary world such as Alain Ducasse, the Ritz Escoffier School, and Raymond Blanc. The hotels used are pretty swanky, too, which might account for the strastopheric prices. Cookery classes in a Venetian canal-side palazzo cost £1,490 for three nights/four days staying at the Gritti Palace, with two half-day classes and market visits. www.gourmetontour.com. Marie-Claire Digby