LIAM TOLAND, Rugby Analyst

The local and passionate clash this weekend is the perfect mental test for the new generation of Irish professionals

LAST SUNDAY morning I found myself “supervising” my sibling’s children in the swimming pool of the Strand Hotel. While enjoying the warmth of the pool with the kids running riot, I began to recall the “heated” debate surrounding athletes utilising the ice baths. Recent surveys suggest there is practically no benefit to be derived from them.

Unconvinced, I decided to conduct an experiment. I introduced Louis to the plunge pool and encouraged him in head first. As he left terra firma the thought did cross my mind, should I have highlighted the temperature differential to be expected? I felt not, as such information would have overburdened the eight-year-old which might have put the experiment in jeopardy!

Last week  was Orange County Restaurant Week so there wasn’t much cooking go on in the She’s Cookin’ Kitchen.  OC Restaurant Week gives local foodies a chance to enjoy specially priced pre fix menus for lunch and dinner at over 100 participating restaurants. The specialty menus usually consisted of three courses at lunch for $10, $15 or $20 depending on the restaurant and four courses at dinner for $20 or $30.

I live in Huntington Beach and restaurant week gave me the chance to check out  two local restaurants.  The first was Zimzala at the Shorebreak Hotel in the exciting new downtown development called The Strand. The Shorebreak is a Joie de Vivre hotel and is described on their website as:  ”The ultimate Southern California beach experience with a contemporary twist. Shorebreak Hotel, in Huntington Beach, combines the relaxed, sun-drenched spirit of an Orange County coastline hotel with edgy modern accents”.  I loved the mid-century modern, meets contemporary beach aesthetic.

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