Hot Flavours: For those about to Rioja...

It’s often dismissed as urban myth, but during the 1980s asking for the wine-list in an even quite posh Waterford restaurant would routinely elicit a “Blue or Black?” response - these being the noxious Blue Nun and only slightly less gag-inducing Black Tower.

A new arrival from the UK, I was also horrified to discover that the only Parmesan you could buy was the powdered stuff which smelt of dirty socks and came in a cut-off toilet roll; a similar lack of fresh basil, coriander and parsley, and a choice of ethnic restaurants that was limited to Chinese and Italian.

In other words, the Ramen-slurping, Baba Ganoushmunching, Patatas Bravas-chomping, Naan Bread-scoffing, Bubble Tea-necking kids of today are completely feckin’ spoiled!

There was certainly nobody in Ireland like Sunil Ghai, the Executive Chef at Ananda in Dundrum who any day now will be opening Pickles, his casual eats & drinkhouse on D2’s Camden Street.

A pakora’s throw from Whelan’s, the emphasis will be on regional North Indian cuisine with spicy libations to match. picklerestaurant.com.

A look out of the Hot Press Central window confirms the major facelift our Dame Street neighbour, Pichet, is being given. While the builders are in, chef Stephen Gibson is presiding over a Pichet Pop-up in the Eastside Tavern on Stephen’s Green. pichetrestaurant.ie

Following the HSE’s mean-spirited crackdown on dogs in pubs, we’re delighted to report that Dublin’s first caninefriendly café, Pupp, has opened at 37 Clanbrassil Street.

Ditching their Google tech jobs to go into business together, Ella Wallace and Paul Froggatt are causing a major buzz locally with their handmade pastries, locally roasted coffee and full range of hipster-ish doggy accessories.

The Dublin Cookie Co. aims to do for biccies what Aungier Danger has done for donuts with the March 5 launch of its first shop in Thomas Street, D8. Already a festival and market favourite, their Chocolate Chip & Peanut numbers are pure baked goods porn. You can also go the DIY route by investing in a jar of their Cookie Dough. No offence to Fido, but we wouldn't be wasting them on dogs. thedublincookieco.com

We'd have preferred a whole month but, hey, let's not be greedy! April 11-17 has been declared Ireland's inaugural Spanish Wine Week with a nationwide programme of events that includes a teatime glass of chilled Albariño and seafood tapa pairing in The Cliff Townhouse, Dublin (11) for just €3; paella 'n' wine tasting in L'Atitude, Cork (13); a Hidden Treasures & Curiosities night hosted by Tomas Clancy in 64 Wine, Glasthule (14); a Spanish Cheese, Meet & Wine night in Sheridan's, Galway (14), and a Spanish Evening in La Touche Wines, Greystones (16). And that really is just for starters. ¡A su salud! winesfromspaininireland. wordpress.com

If you happen to find yourself south of the Thames, artist Damien Hirst is having another go at this food lark with Pharmacy 2, a half-diner, half-drugstore residing in his Newport Street Gallery.

Thankfully, dishes like the Rabbit & Crayfish Stargazy Pie, Duck Curry with Crispy Apple Pakora and Hunan Spiced Pork Broth are as striking as the decor. Mains come in at around £13, which is decent value for that part of London.

Finally, the Galway Bay empire has expanded into Dun Laoghaire with the opening on York Road of Beer Traders, which has 19 brews on draught and a bottle and can range that includes a fabulous 6.9% Edge Padrino porter from Spain.