Christmas market 2012

cfeeneyinterior

So what's it like this year? Hoping to get in next week. Any tips n. What to munch on

Shryke

I'd like to hear some reviews too.

Mars Bar

Lots of food stalls. Didn't get a chance to try anything in it yet though. Gonna do that next week!

They should probably limit the number of woolly hat and scarf stalls though! I like the Christmas decorations in the tent but not sure about the prices when McD's is doing lovely stuff for cheaper just 5 mins away.

You can't beat the atmosphere though. I love the feeling it brings to the city. I'd like to go again but later in the evening when there's less kids and buggies around.

the keen edge

I'm going to pop in tomorrow evening for a look around.

So, if you could only buy one savory and one sweet food item from the market what would you recommend.

ben.schlomo

the keen edge wrote: »

I'm going to pop in tomorrow evening for a look around.

So, if you could only buy one savory and one sweet food item from the market what would you recommend.

Pork wrap and anything from the French bakery tent.

xo.mary

No Baileys coffees/hot chocolates

Mars Bar

xo.mary wrote: »

No Baileys coffees/hot chocolates

I think you can get them in the tent across from the Skeff

ben.schlomo

Mars Bar wrote: »

I think you can get them in the tent across from the Skeff

Yep they have hot choc and saw Baileys behind the counter too.

cooperguy

I think its smaller this year than the last two years. There are far less stalls spread over the same amount of space. Im a little disappointed about that to be honest, less choice of food etc. Anybody know why it has been shrunk this year?

The mulled wine cabin this year is great though. Its bigger than I remember and the wine itself is much nicer. (Last year one of the places had mulled wine that was sickly sweet, almost like Ribena!).

My suggestion of something everyone should try is the Coconut Macaroons. Expensive but very very tasty!

fifib

bit disappointing, much smaller than other years. you can see gaps in between the stalls whereas other years there were stalls one after the other. tried the frankfurter was ok, thought other years you had choice of spicy or plain..this year only large or small choice it seems. pulled pork stall had no pork, staff were just standing around filling up the ketchup bottles and OH tried springbok burger and didnt think it was anything amazing.

topcat77

Very disappointing! Was hopping that things were going to get better year by year. +1 for the mulled wine cabin, very nice spot and nice drink. Had a Corn dog, very nice but i can't understand the price €3!!!! That's for basically a cheap hot dog sausage put on a stick, dunked in a corn batter and deep fried. Very nice but at that price not getting any more. If it was say €1.50 he'd have me coming back day after day! i hope more stalls will arrive and add a little much needed excitement to the whole market.

El_Dangeroso

It does seem much smaller this year, had a bison burger and it was rank! Felt sick afterward. Much less quality than previous years. Very disappointed as loved it the first year. They should bring back the original croud that ran it. They did a much better job.

fergiesfolly

In there yesterday. Smaller, little choice and a lot of tat. Was down town at the local market earlier that morning. Much better in every way.

pleasant Co.

Great to have it back

dr.bollocko

It looks like the atmosphere has been somewhat culled on previous years. Everything about it suggests they're trying to cut costs wherever possible.

I think it was best in year one. A different crew were running it and there was much more food choice. Last year the quality dipped. This year it appears from the early stages that the quantity of stalls has actually dipped also.

ben.schlomo

Dont see the issue with less stalls, just means there is less tat, no need for any stalls selling hats and scarves etc. Emphasis should be on food and drink really as thats where they will make money. As for people complaining aBout the price of food, there are menus with prices, if its too dear dont buy it, never mind the hindsight whinging. Anyway overall the market is still a positive for me, nice atmosphere, brightens up the place and gets lotsa people into town spending.

dr.bollocko

Corndog dude is back btw.

If you do try one.... They taste disconcertingly like a hotdog in a donut.
But somehow it works. I was even sober at the time.

inisboffin

dr.bollocko wrote: »

They taste disconcertingly like a hotdog in a donut.

Most excellent description.:D

Unlikely I know, but did anyone spot veggie dogs?

Links234

Ridiculously disappointing

I remember the first year there was this guy selling traditional dutch donuts, and they were absolute heaven! there was a great vegetarian food stand, and loads more that I loved. first time I had some gorgeous burgers, but last year I went for one of the ostrich burgers and what I got was 2 sausages cut in half in a burger bun, it was a joke! last year was a huge let down, but it seems even worse this year. even the beer they serve in the tent is different, I got Fischers there the first year, can't say I'm as fond of Paulaner.

I think it's been different organizers for the past two years, right? really wish the original organizers would come back again, it was absolutely fantastic the first year, seems like there's nothing to draw people in this year except the beer tent and a few food stalls for hungry boozers.

fifib

got to try the pulled pork wrap today. complete rip off at 6.50 pork was barely warm and the stuffing was ice cold! the wedges with cheese and garlic on the other hand are yum! and for only 3.50 you gt a big tub of them!

Seaneh

fifib wrote: »

got to try the pulled pork wrap today. complete rip off at 6.50 pork was barely warm and the stuffing was ice cold! the wedges with cheese and garlic on the other hand are yum! and for only 3.50 you gt a big tub of them!

Who's stall was that from?

ben.schlomo

Seaneh wrote: »

Who's stall was that from?

Cant think what they are called but they are between the beer tent and the German pretzel stand.

Seaneh

ben.schlomo wrote: »

Cant think what they are called but they are between the beer tent and the German pretzel stand.

I know to avoid it so :pac:

Cerulean Chicken

Links234 wrote: »

I remember the first year there was this guy selling traditional dutch donuts, and they were absolute heaven!

Aw I had my fingers crossed the Poffertjes would be back

Lapin

dr.bollocko wrote: »

Corndog dude is back btw.

You have just made my day dr.

Mrs OBumble

I actually think it's better this year.

Bigger range of kids entertainment things this year. And some nice touches, eg imitation picket fences to keep people off the grass, a mistletoe arch (I guess that's what it is), better screening off of the ugly areas behind stall. Stage area seems more accessible.

And it's only the first week, I wouldn't be surprised if some stalls some and go.

fifib

Seaneh wrote: »

Who's stall was that from?

its the Adare Farm place - down by beer tent, one of the last stalls as you head over in Skeff direction

snubbleste

Is it a Christmas market though?

Cheers for stealing my thread OP Christmas market 2012

pleasant Co.

snubbleste wrote: »

Is it a Christmas market though?

Without being pedantic, yes.

snubbleste

pleasant Co. wrote: »

Without being pedantic, yes.

Is there a baby Jesus and a manger and a coca-cola inspired rotund male and a shining star in the east?
Maybe I'll have a wander myself next week (december)

ben.schlomo

Seaneh wrote: »

I know to avoid it so :pac:

How dare you . I thought it was very nice but it is expensive for what you get. Their dinner box is probably better value as you seem to get a load in it.

fishy fishy

tiny little macaroon - 1.50
they can keep 'em.

went back up this year to see if it had improved from the last two years but it is still the same overpriced rubbish.

lion_bar

Kids rides are v.expensive too. A couple of kids and you'll be through €20 in no time.

Seaneh

ben.schlomo wrote: »

How dare you . I thought it was very nice but it is expensive for what you get. Their dinner box is probably better value as you seem to get a load in it.

How much was le dinner box?

Cerulean Chicken

fishy fishy wrote: »

tiny little macaroon - 1.50
they can keep 'em.

That's not too bad a price if they're good, macarons are tricky and time consuming to make, I wouldn't mind paying if I thought they were worth it. I was going to get some today but decided to leave it until next week when I won't crush them in my other shopping.

ben.schlomo

Seaneh wrote: »

How much was le dinner box?

Didnt have it but think tis around the 8 mark.

Ruben Remus

fishy fishy wrote: »

tiny little macaroon - 1.50
they can keep 'em.

They're not tiny they're about the average size for a macaroon, in my (admittedly, limited) experience. A mass-produced Bounty bar in your average convenience store costs a euro, so on that basis I don't think the price is an outrage. Also, the market's macaroons are usually straight out of the oven and still warm. I like them but couldn't eat more than one as they are very sweet.

Seaneh

I just need to say this, because it's a minor bugbear of mine.

The little many coloured pastries you get in French bakeries made with almonds and filled with butter cream, are Macarons.

The biscuity looking things with made with coconut shavings and egg whites are Macaroons.


Macaron:


Macaroon:

fishy fishy

Ruben Remus wrote: »

They're not tiny they're about the average size for a macaroon, in my (admittedly, limited) experience. A mass-produced Bounty bar in your average convenience store costs a euro, so on that basis I don't think the price is an outrage. Also, the market's macaroons are usually straight out of the oven and still warm. I like them but couldn't eat more than one as they are very sweet.

double the price of what they are in bakeries. but hey, if you think they are worth it, go ahead. enjoy :D

Ruben Remus

fishy fishy wrote: »

double the price of what they are in bakeries. but hey, if you think they are worth it, go ahead. enjoy :D

I will!

bluecode

Haven't managed to make it this year yet. Was disappointed the first year and more disappointed the second year. Did like the Corn dogs and the kids loved them.

But the original idea was a 'Continental market' or 'German market'. I've been to similar in England and they were brilliant. Basically they offered things you couldn't get elsewhere. Things like German wooden toys and other typical European items. There was some attempt the first year but I think it was watered down because the local shopkeepers are too shortsighted to realise that anything that brings people into town is good and has a trickle down effect. There were complaints that there weren't enough local businesses represented. But that's hardly the point, I can go to the local business all year round. The whole idea of these markets are the novelty value of seeing and being able to buy things you simply don't get elsewhere.

The original idea of a continental market was sound. Pity they didn't stick with it.

beardybrewer

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Bigger range of kids entertainment things this year.

I didn't check it out properly yet, but it looked as if there was just the carousel. I like that about last year with the slide, there was a couple of fun things for the kids.

The kids have liked Santa's grotto there the last 2 years. I like the atmosphere of being in the elements in the market to see Santa.

But the main thing is the corndogs.

wintersolstice

the keen edge wrote: »

I'm going to pop in tomorrow evening for a look around.

So, if you could only buy one savory and one sweet food item from the market what would you recommend.

the american corndogs are delicious!

hairyfairy00

The garlic and cheese wedges are savage and you get absolutely loads for €3.50, also my 3 year old is a huge fan of the kangaroo sausages
It is smaller than previous years but i still love it, long may it last!

carpothepunk

Hey, we have a couple slots to fill on the stage this weekend, 5-6pm firstly this evening and 1-2pm tomorrow, if any musician/band or any kind of entertainer is interested, give me a shout.

happyoutscan

Visited last Saturday, thought it was nicely laid out and decorated. Would have liked - as has been mentioned here - some of the stalls with the traditional German wooden toys etc. Loved the Gluhwein in the German place (not the bierhaus) but would advise anyone not to pay the extra euro for a shot of rum in it as it ruins the flavor (in fairness though, it was a nice size shot of rum).

Didn't think prices were too bad considering it's around 6G to have a stall. Have no idea how the sweet stalls will make that back. The stall with the dog clothes was very busy, fair play to him.

I did think the price was a bit high for the carousel though. Surely dropping a euro off the price would entice more on?

Seaneh

Back to the whole Macaroon and Macaron thing earlier, both are available in the market this year from two separate french bakeries.

the macaroons are being sold by the big bakery tent, are €1.50 and a bloody huge, and then just around the corner facing the founatin there is a little hut selling a load of different coloured macarons, which are a euro, which isn't a terrible price.

I tried both.
The Macaroon I had was chocolate dipped and delicious, they are really big, you'd be hard pressed to eat two of them, and comapred to the price of pastries in local bakeries, they are an absolute bargain, easily bigger than the cupcakes or muffins you get locally for twice the price and a lot tastier. I wish somewhere in town sold them all year round.
The Macaron I had was a beautiful Orange Macaron with a Belgian Chocolate butter cream, and damned near perfect. Chewy, soft, moist, lovely sharp orange taste perfectly offset the richness of the filling.

Will definitely be picking up more of both!

Cerulean Chicken

Oh so the macarons are €1.00, that's definitely not bad, must get a few flavours! Silly similar words confusing people. Tried to eat two macaroons last year, nearly died, so think I'll stay away from them this year, can still remember the coconutty overfull feeling

c_man

Had a terrible pork wrap. Threw half of it away it was that bad. Luckily the large hot dog stand was nearby, those things are savage.

Cerulean Chicken

c_man wrote: »

Had a terrible pork wrap. Threw half of it away it was that bad. Luckily the large hot dog stand was nearby, those things are savage.

What was wrong with it? Just curious as to why you threw it away instead of going back and complaining.

Mrs Garth Brooks

The macaroons were yummy.