HappyDOG 11 Stranmillis Road Belfast BT9 5AF 028 9009 8999 AMID the inexorable rise of facial hair and fancy gin and fancier tonic, and pubs where you can get a haircut (don’t touch the beard!) and choose from a thousand beers cooked up in a thousand places by a thousand hirsute geezers, something was needed to line the stomach.

FOR many of us, the darker nights and limited daylight hours can make us feel a little more sluggish, but for some people the change of season can trigger the onset of more severe symptoms of low mood or depression, fatigue and anxiety.

- BUY an advent calendar from Ikea for £2.

THE latest series of MasterChef has kicked off with Greg Wallace, Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti putting professional chefs through their paces.

AS WINTER draws in there is nothing nicer than coming home to something warm, fulfilling and tasty.

THE guys at Mourne Mountains Brewery have been a busy lot lately.

Holohan’s at the Barge Lanyon Quay Belfast 028 9023 5973 holohansatthebarge.

- HERE’S a sweet deal for movie fans who have Sky.

BOROUGH Market is arguably the most famous food market in Britain.

THE darker days creep up on us slowly but there is no denying the fact that we are well in the grip of autumn now.

AS THE winter nights draw in, we look at warming and comforting foods and while cooking a risotto can be time consuming, it is such a satisfying dish to enjoy – and always helps you sleep that night.

LACADA is a brewery that always seems looking at the stars.

GERRY Adams is on the phone from the United States, looking forward to getting home after eight days on the road.

19 Crimes Red Wine 2017, South East Australia (Currently reduced to £7 from £8.

Fancy something different? Here’s a few treats in the shops now.

Yalumba Y Series Viognier, Australia (£8, Sainsbury’s) Australia’s Barossa Valley has some of the oldest vines in the world and is home to Yalumba, founded in 1849.

Taste the Difference Muscadet Sevre et Maine 2017, France (£7.

YOUNG artists can win £750 plus the opportunity for their work to be displayed in a Derriaghy pub and restaurant.

- FROM 11am to 7pm on Saturday November 3, buy a six-inch sub at Subway and get a second free.

GIZZI Erskine is not into fast recipes, or 'easy' ones, for that matter.