Supper for a Song - Tamasin Day-Lewis

Supper for a Song is billed as being for the clever cook in the cost-concious kitchen. Tamasin Day-Lewis is a well-regarded food writer with an eclectic style, and while this cookbook represents her style, I don't believe that it lives up to its billing as a count-the-cost and spare-the-energy cookbook.

To fully take advantage of a lot of the recipes would mean having a well-stocked larder or cupboard, and while this is an admirable way to be, I can't see a lot of cost-concious cooks fitting into this category.

I received this book as the evenings start to darken and I am immediately tempted by a lot of the receipes which promise warmth and filling on cold winter evenings. However, I did find the layout of the book to be distracting with a mixtures of savouries and starters, rather than more clearly defined sections.

It is a beautiful cookbook with an exciting and interesting mix of recipes and tips. I just feel that it is completely missold by the strapline on the cover.

Coppinger Row, Dublin 2

Coppinger Row is the new kid on the block on the Dublin restaurant scene. With it's super-chilled relaxed vibe, along with cocktails, tempting bar bites and comfort-food menu, it appears to be carving a niche for itself.

I finally got to visit last weekend... months behind everyone else. All the staff appeared to be comfortable and relaxed with each other, joking and chatting as they went about their business We ordered from the Sunday Brunch menu. Himself chose the Kedgeree with poached egg while I broke with tradition and went for the broad bean and chorizo ragu on toast. A bit carby for my liking but it sounded delicious. Unlimited filtered still and sparkling water is available for E1 per person, with a portion being donated to the Movember charity.

A blackboard behind the bar promised bar bites served with toast for E3 so we chose the marinated anchovies. A large dish of anchovies arrived along with several slices of toasted rosemary flavoured sourdough bread. Absolutely delicious, especially when combined with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar available on the table.

The kedgeree turned out to be more of a smoked haddock risotto but was creamily smooth and unctious. The broad bean and chorizo ragu was filling and nicely flavoured from the smoky chorizo. The toast soaked up all the juices from the ragu - mmm. A side order of home-cooked fries completed this perfect Sunday brunch.

Overall, I was highly impressed with Coppinger Row. I could easily see myself sitting along the bar, relaxing with a glass of wine and some more of those delicious, great value bar bites. Coppinger Row is a restaurant that is doing all the right things.

Coppinger Row, Coppinger Row (off South William Street), Dublin 2. 01 - 672 9884

Bel Cibo

We went to the wonderful Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield tonight to see the Korean vampire film, Thirst. Before heading to the film, we went for a bite to eat in the newly opened Italian pizzeria and restaurant, Bel Cibo.

Bel Cibo is located right next to the cinema, making it a very attractive option for the pre-cinema goer. It's a very high-ceilinged room with a lime green floor. Tables and seats are in red, providing a strong splash of colour. I do wish however that restaurants with such high ceilings would add a layer of fabric (or something) to help dampen the sound.

The menu is simple with pasta, pizzas and insalatas. There are two meat options with several specials on a board. I went for the Rucola pizza (rocket, bacon, olive oil, basil and smoked cheese) while he had the spaghetti carbonara. The spaghetti was perfectly al dente with a delicious eggy sauce coating the strands. My pizza came with a thin crispy base, with lashings of cheese and bacon. Very good indeed.

One gripe - himself ordered a glass of the house red which turned out to be a very small glass indeed. Quite miserly. However the total cost for two mains, one small sparkling water and one glass of red came to E28.90. So not that bad after all.

It's good to have another proper Italian restaurant in the city, following on from the excellent Caffe Parrigi on Sir John Rogerson's Quay. Here's to Bel Cibo and la Dolce Vita.

How to Catch and Keep a Vampire - Diana Laurence

Vampires are definitely the bad boys of the moment, though when you stop to think about it, did they ever fall out of fashion? Lestat, Angel, Celine, Edward Cullen and Moonlight - vampires have always been sexy, dark and downright alluring.

Diana Laurence is on the ball with this tongue-in-cheek guide to dating a vampire. It covers the gamut of the dating experience from initial flirtation and pickup lines through to the secret of the red satin ribbon. Drawing on her 'personal experience', Laurence steers us mortals through the world of dating undead bloodsuckers in her step-by-step guide to loving the bad and the beautiful.

Entertaining and a little fluffy, this would be a great Christmas gift for the Twilight-besotted teeenager in your life.

Save the Kino Cinema

I just read in today's Irish Times that the Kino Arthouse Cinema on Cork's Washington Street after creditors initiated proceedings to recover more than €50,000 owed to them.

I spent 9 years in Cork as a student starting in 1996 persuing first my B.Sc. and then my Ph.D. A lot of that time was spent in various cinemas watching mainstream in the Capitol and then the Gate. But I also saw a lot of films (both good and bad) in the Kino, the only cinema in the city where you could get real coffee and bring it with you to the film.

Films I saw in the Kino include Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Howl's Moving Castle, Sunshine, PI, Run Lola Run, Titus Andronicus and many many more. It is a fantastic cinema.

I'm more than happy to pledge some financial support to the Kino. I want the management to know that I appreciate all the good stuff they've done over the years. Although I live in Dublin now, I want to know that the Kino is alive and kicking in Cork

Ilya Tapas Mullingar

We were in Mullingar recently staying at the Annebrook House Hotel celebrating the wedding of two of our friends. The unfortunate problem with celebrations is that they usually mean hangovers the next morning. Two nights celebrations means that we suffered two mornings' worth of hangovers.

Thankfully, on both mornings, my non-wellness was assisted by the charming and lovely Ilya Tapas. On morning one, I enjoyed a delicious fluffy homemade scone with butter, strawberry jam and cream. On morning two, I went for the eggs benedict, which came with grilled bacon rather than ham, but delicious none the less.

Ilya seems to be the real deal and is clearly popular with Mullingar people. Thanks for making my mornings a little cheerier.

The Swansong of Wilbur McCrum - Bronia Kita

The Swansong of Wilbur McCrum is set in the Wild West, but it is not a tale of cowboys and the Wild West. Yes, there is the occasional train robbery and cathouse, but is ultimately a story of one man's quest to make a better life for himself and his undying love for the mother of his child.

Wilbur McCrum has had an unlucky life. He has been cursed with fits which cause him to be bullied at school and he has a terrible fear of cattle, following several traumatic events with cows. Abandoned by his mother, he spends most of his life travelling, trying to hide his afflictions, sometimes working honestly and sometimes stooping to a life of crime.

Wilbur's life is just a sequence of unfortunate events, each captured in a short, snappy chapter. We realise early in the story that Wilbur's life is flashing before his eyes as he is drowning, but thankfully this is not the end of our lovelorn and lacklustre hero. Eventually his good nature, and desire to do the right thing turns Wilbur's life around and he eventually achieves some redemption.

This was a charming, quirky book which was very easy to read. It was refreshing to have an unfortunate hero and an intriguing supporting cast of characters. Very recommended reading.