One of the advantages of staying in Sloane Square in London is that it is a stone's throw from the UK's most outstanding chocolatier, award-winning Gerard Coleman, whose lovely little shop L'Artisan du Chocolat is a paradise for those passionate about quality and craftsmanship.
Coleman is Irish, from Co Louth, and trained as a chef in Killybegs College. His "couture chocolate" has become so successful that he is currently planning a second outlet in Notting Hill, and has his eye on Dublin. Daring and innovative, he likes to break the mould in every sense; for Valentine's Day there were diamante-studded chocolate stilettos, all made to the highest standards. His latest promotion is called "Commit Your Mother (or a friend) to a Cocoa Rehab", which involves a monthly delivery of artisan chocolates for a three-, six- or 12-month period. If you're not in London, you can buy the chocolates online at www.artisanduchocolat.com. Easter chicks take note. Deirdre McQuillan
Class clown comes to the aid of the party
The party had been a fairly spontaneous one . . . and was all the better for that. But, phew! what a delight when Poppy arrived at the door in full living technicolor to entertain the 15 or so children swinging off the banisters. It is fair to say that she mesmerised them - and a few adults - for almost two hours. The day was blustery, with no possibility of heading outdoors, so she kept the children engaged, chattering away the whole time and posing riddles and rhymes, interspersed with the odd bit of magic. She bewitched them with balloon modelling, moved on to some really elaborate face painting, and ended by painting messages to our key celebrant on a long sheet of paper tacked onto the wall. "I'm sure everyone will want to paint on the wall," she said mischievously. We loved her, and the kids barely moved from the confines of a small room.
You may have encountered Poppy before at public fetes or corporate events - we were lucky to find her online. But Cliodhna Nolan, for it is she, and her company KaBoom! will provide all of the above plus puppeteering, magic, stilt-walking and juggling for all sorts of occasions. It costs about €200 for an hour and a half, and she travels all over Leinster. www.kaboom.ie, (085-7337733). Patsey Murphy
Flynn's festival takes flight
A number of celebrity chefs, including Richard Corrigan, Darina Allen and Paul Flynn will preside over a three-day festival of food next month in Dungarvan. Local produce, along with the talents of local chefs and restaurants, will be extolled and explored at this inaugural Waterford Festival of Food. Food trails that criss-cross the harbour town will be sign-posted. There will be lectures from specialists such as writer and historian Regina Sexton, and chair of the Irish Food Writers' Guild, Biddy White Lennon. Darina Allen will open a farmers' market on day three of the festival, when Grattan Square will be closed to traffic to allow browsers to stroll about. The festival opens on Friday, April 11th, and one of the first events will be a cooking competition for budding secondary school chefs. For more details see www.waterfordfestivaloffood.ie, or phone 058-20840. Catherine Foley
Suits you, madam
Giving the business suit a modern edge is a challenge for style-conscious professional women committed to the traditional two-piece uniform. Designers who have earned their stripes, so to speak, are Niall Tyrrell and Donald Brennan, whose bespoke ready-to-wear range was the novel idea that first put them on Dublin's sartorial map.
Better known for special occasion wear, the pair are now aiming at the well-heeled female executive, offering tailored suits "with a contemporary twist". Their new "Executive Couture Collection" is also designed with a variety of body shapes in mind, in sizes from eight to 18. Shirts in stretch silk, Swiss cotton or silk satin come in an array of colours, while tailoring fabrics include stalwart English worsted wools, French wool crepes and lightweight Italian suiting. Prices, based on their made-to-measure service, start at around €495 for shirts, and go up to €1,445 for jackets. Contact 01-6788332 or info@tyrrellbrennan.com. Deirdre McQuillan
Buongiorno Antonio
Another British high-street stalwart arrived in Dublin this week, and picked its site well. A branch of Carluccio's opened its doors on Monday night in what used to be Graham O'Sullivan's, one of the first delicatessens in the country, on the corner of Dawson and Duke Streets. The gleaming, two-storey caffe can seat 120, with seats outside as well, and will, one supposes, give home-grown talent such as Avoca, Dunne & Crescenzi and Fallon & Byrne a run for their money.
What have they got going for them? A vast range of Carluccio-branded sauces, olive oils and Italian condiments in smart blue-and-white packaging, for starters. Tip-top antipasti. Breads and cakes are excellent. Smoked aubergine, or green beans in garlic, with a bit of rosemary bread will do you nicely. We're particularly fond of Taleggio cheese.
It opens for breakfast at 7am Monday to Friday and closes at 10.30pm. On Saturday, the cafe opens at 8am and on Sundays at 9am. You can buy the fixings for anything from lunch on the go, to a last-minute supper party. A tried and tested winner. Carluccio's, 52 Dawson Street, Dublin 2, 01-6333957. Patsey Murphy
Riding high
Congratulations to the cast and crew of Irish surfing documentary Waveriders, the making of which featured in this magazine last May. It has just won the audience award at the Dublin International Film Festival, beating the likes of There Will Be Bloodand In Bruges. The film will next be shown at the Belfast Film Festival on April 19th. Starring Gabe Davies and Richard Fitzgerald, and featuring Kelly Slater, Waveriders was directed by Joel Conroy, produced by Margo Harkin, and written by Lauren Davies. Cillian Murphy and U2 lend their talents to the voice-over and soundtrack, respectively. Apart from featuring footage of Gabe Davies surfing the biggest wave ever ridden in Ireland, the film tells the story of George Freeth, "the father of modern surfing", who was half Hawaiian and, wouldn't you know it, half Irish. Catch this one if you can - distributors are currently deciding release dates. Clare McCarthy
Fine wine
Ashford Castle in Co Mayo will host a tutored wine dinner with Dominique Lafon, one of the greatest white wine producers in Burgundy, next Monday, and Poulot's Restaurant in Donnybrook, Dublin 4, will host a seven-course tasting dinner to match the wines of Paul Jaboulet Aine on Tuesday. Book Ashford Castle on 094-9546003 and Poulot's on 01-2693300.