Its time to clear out the files, get things sorted before the kids go back to school, and take stock of far too many photos of food that haven’t yet been discussed! So here follows a brief recap on where I’ve been, what I’ve eaten, and a quick thumbs up or down. These are in alphabetical order for no reason other than that’s how they are in my files. Starting off with A Casa Mia, a great addition to the casual dining scene in Sligo: Next up is a little place where I often have lunch in Monaghan town – Bumble Beez in Herron’s yard. Great salads, gread bread, great spot!

I hadn’t been in Eala Bhán in Sligo town at all since it opened for some reason but have been there twice in the past few months. Highly recommended, if you can get a table. This is the sister restaurant of Trá Bán in Strandhill. Last weekend we went up to the Ulster American Folk Park near Omagh and stopped in Franco’s in Enniskillen on the way home. This place has been open for years and the menu is as enormous as I remember. It doesn’t look like much on the outside, but the interior is cosy and the service really friendly and efficient. We had roasted salmon, Moussaka, and the kids pizzas were half the size of full sized ones. Good food all round, everyone happy.

Gleeson’s Townhouse in Roscommon Town has developed as well earned reputation for good food and accommodation.In recent years they opened a deli and cafe, and it was behoven upon me to check it out. The food was really good, a good range of imaginative salads, freshly made, but I hated, HATED, the paper plate and plastic cup I had to drink out of. It spoiled the meal for me: Next is a bit closer to home. In fariness, Sligo town is pretty well off for good cafés and restaurants. Not least of these is the Sardinian Italian, Limoncello. We headed there after the Sligo Races a couple of weeks ago. It was very quiet for a Thursday in August, but good food and friendly service (though a little slow considering). The takeaway pizza is among the best around I reckon (unlike the disastrous short-lived Ristorante Bonet in Dromahair!) and I can happily recommend the house Sardinian red. We were surprised and delighted at the bread, dips and tasty spicy tomato soup that all arrived out as pre-dinner appetisers: I’ll leave it there for now, but more to come soon to catch up to date completely, including Italia 2013!