FRESH FACES The most divine chocolate you are likely to taste is made in Limerick by two sisters - Sarah Hehir and Emily Sandford, who take their cocoa beans very seriously.
"We're exclusively dark and proud of it," says Sarah, who talks with an artisan's passion about single-estate beans roasted slowly to get intensity of flavour without bitterness. These are fresh chocolates with a short life: they make truffles every week and ship them out to either stockists or private customers every Thursday in time for the weekend. Wrapped in colourful tissue paper in wooden boxes, they are beautifully presented ... but you really have to sample their original and very vibrant flavours, such as raspberry and rosewater, expresso and saffron, nutmeg, earl grey tea, tamarind and star anise or chocolate discs sprinkled with chilli. There is a tasting of Cocoa Bean Chocolates today at Mortons in Ranelagh from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For further stockists, ring 061-446615 or see www.cocoabeanchocolates.com
ALL CHANGE IN CLONTARF Big changes unravelling on Vernon Avenue, Clontarf's main thoroughfare. The Butler's Pantry has crossed the Liffey for the first time with a spanking new shop selling buttery, readymade dishes and desserts. Right beside it is a new fishmonger called Hemingways, with elaborate displays and - cooks take note - good homemade fish stock in the freezer. But sadly, after three generations in business, the cordial, old-fashioned family grocer, Whelan's, has succumbed to supermarket forces and is soon to close. Their shelves, usually packed with everything imaginable - Fruitfield marmalade beside a mousetrap beside tinned pears and salt and pepper shakers - are nearly empty. The Toymaster shop nearby is well stocked for the season, however, and is always worth remembering: the staff are helpful and it's miles away from the frustration and traffic of the malls. Hemingways: 01-8535622. The Butler's Pantry: 01-8333314. Patsey Murphy
GOOD SAUCE Laragh Stuart's home-made sauces have been available for some time at speciality food stores such as Mortons, Cavistons, Donnybrook Fair and Listons. Last month they hit the shelves of Superquinn in Blackrock, Dublin, and over the next while they will appear in other branches countrywide. Stuart produces everything in her commercial kitchens in Smithfield with partner Hazel McLean. The inspiration for most of the products comes from a childhood of almost continuous travel with her artist mother: pesto, satay, chilli, salsa and so on. Add baba ganoush and hummus and you've got a versatile mix. Try the rocket pesto with fish or chicken risotto, or the sweet onion relish with sausages and almost anything else. Laragh Stuart Foods does not use any preservatives or colouring. Eoin Lyons