Review: Brunch at Electric (Cork)

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Rachael

Farewell Brunch at Electric - Cork, Ireland

My last day in Cork was bittersweet; I didn’t want to go home, but I was grateful for all of the new friendships and opportunities this last-minute solo trip garnered. From my gracious hosts Naomi, Csaba and Seb, to new friends Evin, Fiona, Kate & Stephan, to new sights in the form of West Cork and The Ring of Kerry, to new sounds via Funeral Suits and John Spillane, and of course, new eats like Fenns Quay, The Fish Hatch, Hassett’s, Nash 19, Market Lane, Fresco Bistro and Electric, this holiday was my favorite time of 2012. It was a welcome change of scenery after being so very ill for five months.

Overall, my holiday reenforced the reasons why I love Cork, igniting the fire to return as soon as fiscally possible.

I held out on brunch at Electric, reserving it for my last Sunday before I left, and sent an open invitation across the Twitter waves for anyone who would like to join me. I wound up dining with my dear host brother Csabi, his friend S-, and Fiona. We started off with some beverages.

Macchiato

Look at that fancy-pants coffee beverage! I don’t know the first thing about coffee, but Csaba seemed to enjoy this.

Kir Royale (€6.9)

I actually ordered a bellini, but was given this instead. I just thought it was a funny looking bellimi, so I drank it. Sure didn’t taste like a bellini, but it was boozy and bubbly, so of course I continued to drink it. The server eventually realized his mistake and redacted this drink from our bill.

Ha ha – okay, enough drinking, time for some food.

Free Range Omelette (€9)
Filling: bacon, mushroom, spinach or cheese served with dressed leaves & brioche

Both Csaba and his pal S- ordered an omelette, which they customized according to their personal tastes. They were both pretty impressed by the quality and freshness.

Eggs Benedict (€9)
free range poached eggs and bacon on brioche with hollandaise

I can’t recall if I’ve ever eaten Eggs Benny with a thick piece of toast (brioche or otherwise), but it worked. The Hollandaise was light and perfectly executed; adding just the right balance to cut the salty savoriness of the bacon. Keep in mind, Americans, this bacon is not our thin “streaky” bacon, but hearty Irish bacon, which is thicker and an ideal candidate for Eggs Benny. It can be a pleasant change up. Though I wouldn’t ever say no to crab cakes Eggs Benny. Denis.

Warm Chicken Salad
with toasted almond, pomegranate & a pear & ginger salsa

I though this was a Thai chicken salad…but this is the only chicken salad I found on the online menu. Either way, Fiona was especially pleased with this dish. Great choice for health-conscious or gluten-free folks.

But we can’t have none of that healthy green stuff mocking our table for long, could we? Oh, no. We were soon joined by Laura, a vivacious Sardinian woman I met through Csaba. That’s when things got crazy as we attacked the dessert menu.

Pear & Almond Tart (€6.5)
Custard & vanilla ice cream

Blood orange cheesecake (€6.5)
Crackling praline

Strawberry & Lemon Meringue Roulade (€6.5)

Holy diabetic coma, Batman, that was a lot of sugar! I bet you know which one was mine (that I ordered with S- ) I don’t recall even bothering to try the first two; just this fluffy cloud of heaven. The meringue top was equally hard and soft, giving just the appropriate amount of texture to contrast the silky smooth center. Nmpf, it was glorious.

Oh, hey, and what do you know, my bellini showed up! Awesome.

Bellini (€6.9)

Besides being the home to #TweetMeetTuesday, Electric offers superb tea and scones, lunch, dinner and a eclectic atmosphere with friendly smiles. Where else can you enjoy outdoor brunch alongside the River Lee?

ELECTRIC
41 SOUTH MALL
CORK, IRELAND
[T] +353 21 4222 990
http://www.electriccork.com

Review: Brunch at Fresco Bistro (Cork)

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Rachael

There are approximately four restaurants opened for brunch on Sundays in Cork, Ireland. I can name them: Electric, Bodega, The Castle Cafe and Fresco Bistro. Didn’t even need to look that up because it astounded me so profoundly that I instantly committed them to memory.
With Sundays still being the day of rest for the majority of the restaurants, I focused on Fresco Bistro for my first meal during my actual stay in the city centre. Having talked up Cork to entice a young American man I’d met on my Ring of Kerry tour to leave his Dublin digs for the rest of the weekend, I shot him an email, letting him know the day and time I planned to be at Fresco Bistro.
I say planned because, well, mornings have become a bit of an issue with me. We’re agreeing to disagree, really, but I try, I really do try…but when the weather is as moody as it is in Ireland, I am constantly second-guessing what to wear from head to toe. Added to that it was windy far more than it was wet, and I was walking to the restaurant, going on memory alone, battling with the wind for control over my umbrella, scowling at lecherous honks made by young men from their vehicles, well, let us just say I was happy to see my friend Dan already tucking in to his brunch by the time I blustered in close to 13:00.

From my first glance at the menu I noticed “one of these things are not like the others”, as the song goes. I was surprised at the bold Southeast Asian and Creole influences to Fresco Bistro’s menu; never have I come across such proud, exotic flavors in Ireland. It was a delight, and a testimony to Cork’s place as the culinary innovators of the Republic. It is fitting that the bistro is situated at University College Cork campus, where open minds flock for new ideas and open palates for new flavors.

Pork Belly and Sweet Potato Hash - Fresco Bistro - Cork, Ireland

Pork Belly and Sweet Potato Hash (€7.90)
poached eggs | Hollandaise

I attempted to resist this seemingly diabolical concoction; fearing the Eggs Benny love reached a level of fanaticism from which there would be no manner returning from. However, my eyes kept falling back upon it and truth be told, if it weren’t for Dan to sing its praises, I probably would have forced myself to order something else. Fortune favors the bold, and that applies to both chef and patron in this case as the pork belly & sweet potato hash was unlike anything I’ve ever tasted before. Understated pork mixed with the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes was just the ideal pairing to take away the heaviness I was dreading. Add two of the most perfectly poached eggs, topped with an extremely light Hollandaise and it was a cacophony of traditional fare with adventurous flavors.

Moroccan Lamb Stew - Fresco Bistro - Cork, Ireland

Harira Lamb Soup (€5)
chickpeas | tender lamb pieces | coriander | mint | lemon

Dan ordered this soup as a second course to his hash and eggs, still itching to try something new and get his fill on something warm as it was colder than annual average for the bank holiday weekend. Slurping down every last savory, lemony spoonful, Dan found this to be light enough not to overwhelm his rapidly diminishing appetite, yet hearty enough to hit the exact spot he’d hoped it would.

Dessert Sampler Trio - Fresco Bistro - Cork, Ireland

Dessert Sampler (complimentary)
raspberry coulis | raspberry tart | chocolate flourless cake | brownie with walnuts

Someone from the kitchen spied my camera and sent two dessert samplers out for Dan and I to squeeze into our already full stomachs. By far and wide, the flourless cake was our favorite (and we were very pleased we did not have to share!). The brownie was too dense for my liking, and fruit tarts are not my cup of tea in general, but that flourless chocolate cake was unlike anything I’ve ever tasted. Smooth, silky and light as a cloud, it favored more of a thicker mousse-like texture than the dry morsels I normally associate with flourless cakes. The coulis was my second favorite, adding a delicate zip to the sampler.

Fresco Bistro set the tone for my week in the city, which was a continuing rotation of one amazing meal after the next. Clearly, our feelings for one another are mutual as I was invited back to Fresco Bistro to sample their summer menu not three days later. It is an affair I look forward to picking up next time I’m east of the Pond.

Fresco Bistro
Lewis Glucksman Gallery, UCC
000 Cork, Ireland
011 353 21 490 1848
Mon-Fri: 8:15a-5:00p
Sat-Sun: 12:00p-5:00p
Fresco Bistro on Facebook

Idaho Cafe – Cork, Ireland

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Rachael

This is a post two years in the making as Steffie and I desperately wanted to eat at Idaho Cafe during our 2010 adventure but could not fit it into our schedule. What we were able to squeeze in, however, was a pop-in to grab some coffee (for Steffie) and a couple of their deliciously thin waffles with chocolate sauce and get them to go:

Waffles To Go!

Breakfast of Champions

It was the crispy, squishy, chocolaty goodness that ensured my return to Idaho Cafe, bumping them up to priority status upon my next visit to Cork City.

I actually wrote out a strict schedule of where to eat and when, but the bank holiday threw me for a spin and of course I made an exception when Fresco Bistro was kind enough to invite me to their summer menu experimental tasting. Knowing I would not be there until 3:00pm, however, I decided to get up early and jet to Idaho Cafe for breakfast.

Debating between savory and sweet breakfast can always be a tough choice, especially when I had such a great experience with their waffles and wanted to recreate it. Yet I pushed myself to try something new. Go bold, go big or go home, right?

Black pudding, bacon & sausage Bap €4.80

Clearly I wasn’t going for healthy points. Juicy bacon, plump sausage and lovely black pudding wedged between lightly toasted and buttered bread made for a deliciously meaty filling start to my day. Though not a huge sandwich, I did cut the heaviness of the meat with the provided ketchup.

It’s a great sandwich for the ravenous carnivore and reminded me of a modern version of the traditional Irish breakfast commonly found at Bed and Breakfasts’. For the Americans giving a wary eye to the black pudding, do not alter the bap by omitting the black pudding; just be bold and go for it!

As I was good and saved half of my sandwich to be given to Csabi later, I decided to inquire about the available daily baked goods, especially the tart sitting on the counter opposite me; taunting me as I ate my bap.

Chocolate Pear Tart €4.85

Keats famously wrote, “A thing of a beauty is a joy forever”, though this morsel lasted all of five minutes before it was demolished forever. From the richly moist interior to the crisp top and big chunk of pear, there wasn’t a single thing wrong with this slice of heaven.

Tucked away on the small Caroline Street behind Brown Thomas, Idaho Cafe could easily be overlooked were it not for their strong following that keeps their cozy quarters jammed packed during official hours. Husband and wife team Richard and Mairead (also the head chef) are hands-on restaurateurs with a passion for staying as green as possible. All meats, cheeses, dairy products and bread are from Ireland, with priority given to purveyors within a 100km radius of Idaho Cafe. Recycling is enforced, to-go cups are can be composted and their electricity is from renewable sources. To say that Idaho is just another cafe on the street would be an injustice.

I asked Richard Jacob via Twitter that if wanted future patrons to know one essential thing about Idaho Cafe, what would it be? He replied: Fab, tiny space, making great Irish food with even better service!!

I couldn’t agree more.

Idaho Cafe
19 Caroline Street
Cork, IE
http://idahocafe.tumbler.com
Tue-Thurs: 8.00am-5.00p
Fri-Sat: 7.00am-6.00p
Closed Sundays-Mondays

Fisherman’s Bar (Waterville, Ireland)

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Rachael

This post isn’t so much a review as it is a lesson in being a savvy traveler when it comes to dining out and taking part in tours.

I do not have first-hand experience with extremely bad food in Ireland. I am always championing the good food that is found all over the country, especially when other visitors stubbornly insist there is no quality food to be found. However, I believe one of the main problems lies within the tourist industry.
If you’re touring Ireland with any sized company – big coaches or glorified vans – and eat where the company suggests, you may be setting yourself up for a horrible stereotype.
I don’t know what the kick-back is for the guides in recommending a particular place, but my top guesses are parking and mutual advertising. Case in point: My Ring of Kerry tour, which I took with a company I no longer have praise for (for a number of reasons). Our driver made the lunch time stop in Waterville, County Kerry, along the Iveragh Peninsula with the Currane River giving a sweet, salty breath in the incredibly fresh air. Though a small village, Waterville sees tourists barraging through their town morning, noon, and night all year ’round. The impressive Butler Arms Hotel keeps money coming in from visitors who want more than a day trip in fair County Kerry.

Our driver, Paul, kept talking up this one place for lunch. It had the best fish and chips in all the land, apparently, because of the pub’s proximity to the water.
Proximity to the water? Don’t look now, Ireland, but water has you surrounded.

Paul would not let up about this place’s fish and chips – and oh, the lovely tartar sauce, the gorgeous chips, yes, indeed the BEST in County Kerry, nay, in Ireland!
I was skeptical and already formulating a backup plan. I did, however, want check out the place to give them the benefit of the doubt. The first bad sign of this place was our guide overselling it, the second was the plethora of gigantic coach/bus tours parked in its car park. Giving the interior a quick once over, my eyes spied the paper place mats with a set menu of expected Irish standards, a disconcerting lack of locals, and the allegedly “lovely” sauces were big-company brand individual packets on an already-set table, as the manager said he had been waiting for us. It had Tourist Trap all but spray painted above their doorway.

I decided to leave immediately, taking along a girl from Quebec as she she was inclined to go elsewhere, too. I invited others to make their bid for freedom with us, trying my best to stealthily gather my belongings and make for the door. It was no use; Paul had entranced them with his tall tale and promises of the best fish known to the human palate.

My French-Canadian companion and I walked along the main drag when I spotted a pleasant looking middle-aged man running an errand. Approaching him, I asked if he was a local.
“Local enough,” he replied.
So I inquired after a good place to eat and he pointed me in the direction of The Fisherman’s Bar, an alcove pub adjacent to the Butler Arms Hotel. He was, in fact, headed there with his children himself.
Fabulous.
We meandered our way back to the Butler Arms Hotel, snapping some photos along the way.

Bright skies and deep waters - Waterville, Ireland

Her priority was photography, while mine was good food, so we parted ways at the entrance to Fisherman’s Bar. Looking at the menu, I cannot recall what I was debating against the baked crabmeat gratin but lamb shank or seafood pie. Either way, I asked the barman for his recommendation and without hesitation he said the crabmeat gratin.

Crab Gratin with salad - Waterville, Ireland

Baked Crabmeat Gratin with side salad and brown bread (€12.95)

There wasn’t a single aspect of this lunch I found fault with. Quite the opposite; this was one of the most delightful meals I ate on the road, and easily one of the best crab dishes I have ever eaten. It was simultaneously light and filling with decadent, creamy texture and a perfectly golden-brown crisp topping for contrast. No greasy, oily or stick-to-your-ribs after effects here; just an unrelenting hunger for more. The side salad was a appreciated gesture, too, especially with the light sherry-vinegar dressing.

Realizing my time in Waterville was about up, I paid and left the premise satiated and confident in my ability to defy the stereotype of American Tourist going blindly along with whatever a tour guide getting kick-backs from some quantity-over-quality business suggests.

Oh, and incidentally? The “best fish and chips in all of Ireland”? Turns out they did not live up to the hype.

Now, it ought to be said that I’ll not be naming this place as I don’t want to be outright slanderous; just concern yourself with getting to the Fisherman’s Bar and avoid the restaurants with no locals.

The Fisherman’s Bar
Butler Arms Hotel
Waterville,
Co. Kerry,
Ireland
+353 (0)66 947-4144

Tea and Lunch at Electric (Cork, Ireland)

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Rachael

Surely, you recall Cafe Gusto and Liberty Grill – owned and operated by Denis and Marianne, whom Steffie and I conversed with via Twitter months prior to our trip, right? Of course you remember. Electric is the latest endeavor the restaurateur duo has tackled. An impressive space situated on the banks of the River Lee, right around the bend from Grand Parade, Electric can seem a bit, well, non-traditional. Not too surprising since it was built by the O’Shea brothers from Chicago, who used the Art Deco movement as their major influence for Electric’s 1933 design.

The downstairs bar offers great morning pick me ups from tea, coffee, scones, pastries, and other sweet treats. Perfect for my introduction to Electric, which I ventured to on a Tuesday mid-morning to join in on the Tuesday Tweet Meet. Spotting me straightaway, Denis briefly parted with his meeting for a hug and welcome, then made sure I had some fresh, hot herbal tea soon at my table to warm me up as I updated my travel journal and waited for fellow Tweeters to show up.

Peppermint Tea

Electric employs the use of teas by Java Republic, an Irish company whose fair trade coffee and Organic Trust certified teas have been recognized by numerous green committees and organizations.

Scone with cream and jam (€2)

Just look at that fluffy piece of perfection. I’m not one for raisins or sultanas, but when placed inside such an exemplary baked good such as this fresh scone, I can’t ever imagine my life without them. The cream, also made in-house, provided the ideal mate with its light-as-a-cloud texture and creamy, slight sweetness. The preserves are also a nice accompaniment, but I prefer the pureness of just scone and cream.
You don’t have to take my word for it, though, seeing as Electric’s scones made the short-list of Goodall’s Best Scone Search.

The following Tuesday Tweet Up (I really miss those, by the way) I decided to partake in lunch, which the downstairs bar area offers in the form of soup and sandwiches made daily. While the upstairs dining room is a bit more formal and reservations are encouraged, the ground floor bar/cafe is a very casual area perfect for a leisure mid-morning/early afternoon. Knowing my time in Cork was tight and I would not have another Tuesday to indulge in either soup or sandwich, I ordered the soup and 1/2 sandwich combo.

Soup and Sandwich - Electric, Cork, Ireland

Soup and 1/2 Sandwich (€6.80)

Butternut Squash Soup (I think!)

I think the internet ate my notes on this lunch because for the life of me I cannot find them. Somewhere in the chasm of my memory, however, I seem to recall the soup being squash related. It certainly has the dark amber color of butternut squash soup, though I think it may have been a combination of squash and something else. It doesn’t matter, though, because it was delicious. Memories of a rich, well seasoned and multi-layered flavor are invoked when I think back on it.

Rare Beef Sandwich

I see “rare beef” as a sandwich option throughout Ireland, and after quickly realizing this is synonymous with roast beef sandwich here in the USA, made sure to order this sandwich at Electric as it was a step up from its peers with the addition of caramelized onions, arugula and red peppers. A solid bread with a nice crust keeps all of the goodly innards together.

While I was able to return to Electric for a Sunday brunch (more on that later) I will have to wait until my next visit to Cork to experience dinner. As it is, though, Electric and I started off on the right foot. Between the lovely new friends I met through Tweet Meet Tuesday, the welcoming familiarity of Denis and Marianne’s signature friendliness, the open atmosphere filled with natural light, and the tasty food, I don’t hesitate to recommend Electric to locals, expats and visitors alike.

ELECTRIC
41 SOUTH MALL
CORK | IRELAND
[T] +353 21 4222 990
http://www.electriccork.com/

Ground Bar opens: 10.00
Lunch: 12.00-5.00
Dinner: Sun-Wed 5.00pm – last orders 9.00pm | Thur-Sat 5.00pm – last orders 10.00pm
Sunday Brunch: 12.00pm-3.00pm

Review: Hassetts Artisan Bakery (Carrigaline, Ireland)

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Rachael

When my hostess Naomi was giving me the grand tour of quaint corridor village Carrigaline, about 12 km/7 miles from Cork City, she was sure to point out Hassett’s Artisan Bakery and make it known that it would be worth my Euro and SD card space to give it a go. I didn’t wait terribly long; in fact by Tuesday I had free tickets to the circus, given to me by John Duane, the friendliest butcher I ever did meet. Though I tried to wait out the rain and cold, it was just time to suck it up, put on my wellies and coat and head out.

I decided to leave myself some time to explore the Main street and pop in at Hassett’s. The front of the shop serves primarily as the bakery with mounds of lovely loafs of fresh bread and confectionery while the back is dedicated to counter service style deli and cafe. They are members of Good Food Ireland, Irish Food Tourism group where members are “recognised and endorsed for their commitment to using Irish, local and artisan food produce.”

My options were limited due to the time of day in that no fresh specialties were coming out of the kitchen any longer, just what was on hand that they had prepared earlier in the day. Otherwise I would have ordered the Ploughman’s Lunch and am still angry at myself for not making the time to come back with enough time and space in my stomach for it. Something to look forward to next trip, though. A particular sandwich kept catching my eye, though I put up a valiant resistance initially, I knew if I took a pass I would be up at 2:00am craving it…

Chicken and Stuffing Sandwich - Hassett's

Chicken & Stuffing Sandwich (€4.50)

That’s right, chicken and stuffing sandwich. I could not wrap my brain around the concept, though I suppose people who make sandwiches using all of their Thanksgiving leftovers would have an inkling of what a joy like this sandwich brings. I asked for brown bread and had a little bit of mayo as I was wary of the stuffing being dry. Worried for naught as it turned out; I don’t think my own culinary skills cam match the tender moistness this chicken and stuffing brought to my taste buds. The chicken was juicily succulent, and the stuffing – which I was afraid would clash with the bread – stood out as the perfect condiment to dress up plain white meat. The bread is the crowning jewel of Hassetts and it was easy to see, to taste rather, how they became famed for it. Believe it or not, I willed self-control and saved the other half of my sandwich for dinner later.

Sausage Roll (€2.20)

I was out running errands one day close to the end of my stay in Carrigaline and wanted to make sure I got to try one more bite. Forgoing the Ploughman’s Lunch simply because I forgot (it’s on the printed menu but wasn’t up on the chalkboard or the standard sandwich menu on the wall) I opted for a sausage roll. It was seasoned well but the best part was definitely the flaky pastry exterior. It’s good for a quick bite on the go.

I would return and recommend Hassetts in a heartbeat. The menu offers a wide variety of great breakfast and lunch food; it’s a shame their website is useless in the area of basic info such as menu/hours/address (“4th shop on the left” is as close of an address as you’re going to find). What it lacks in information though it more than makes up for in visual appeal as there are numerous images of their goods. Hassetts is so beloved that even those who openly ragged on Carrigaline to me would pause and make an exception for Hassetts. Hell, even Discover Ireland has given it a nice little write-up.

Hassetts Artisan Bakery
Main Street, Carrigaline, Co Cork, Republic Of Ireland
+353 (0)21 437 1534
Monday-Saturday: 07:00-19:00
Sunday: 09:00-17:00
http://www.hassettsbakery.ie

Showcase: Fresco Bistro (Cork, Ireland)

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Rachael

Twitter brings so many lovely souls together, don’t you think? Well, more on that later, but I bring up Twitter now to say that via the wonder that it is I met the lovely staff of Fresco Bistro, chiefly Brian Casey and Chef Prakash. The Bistro is located on the UCC campus (University College Cork), attached to the Lewis Gluckman Gallery. Fresco Bistro has really taken college eats to a higher level while still keeping the prices affordable for the student budget.
Around midweek of my stay in Cork City, I, along with Evin of EvinOK.net was invited to sample potential dishes of the upcoming summer menu. I was already aware how creatively capable Chef could be as I’d dined at Fresco Bistro the previous Sunday for brunch (one of the few places in Cork open for Sunday brunches – along with Electric and Castle Cafe) so I knew that Evin and I were in for a serious ride of the taste buds.

Seafood Cappuccino
fresh salmon | mushroom | chives | red pepper flake

Creamy and delicate, without a trace of sea brine and a foam so delightfully light and tasty you’ll be scrounging around at the bottom of the cup for more. Sorry to break it to you, boys and girls, but this whimsical take on seafood soup will only be available for special catering events. Still, if that isn’t the very incentive to have Fresco Bistro cater your event, I don’t know what is.

Spicy Crab on French Toast

I was very excited when this plate was set down before us; fresh crab is always high on my favorite seafood list. I didn’t feel the kick of the spice until I had already swallowed; then a slow burn trailed upward and punched me right in the taste buds. It was awesome. The French Toast element is the sweet breakfast style French Toast. It actually threw me off, in taste and texture, and I can’t say I’m a fan of its sweetened heaviness. I think I would prefer the crab on plain, slightly toasted brioche.

Scrambled Eggs with Mackerel on Rye Pancakes

OK. I’m going to pull you aside right now and explain something about me and mackerel: We rarely get on well. I know; mackerel is a beloved fish all over the world, especially here in Ireland, but I am rarely a fan. If someone out there can prepare mackerel in a way that will get me to eat it without wrinkling my nose, I applaud them.
Congratulations, Chef. You got me to eat mackerel with this dish. Firstly, look at those scrambled eggs. They were creamy and light as a cloud. Rye pancakes? Genius. Unlike traditional pancakes, these did not sit heavily in my stomach and really added another layer of both taste and texture to the dish. I really hope this one goes on the menu; I predict the masses really taking a shine to it.

Salmon and Sour Crème fraîche on Rye Pancakes

A cousin to the previous dish, this one just didn’t win me over like the scrambled eggs and mackerel. The rye pancakes are too delicate to take on the sour cream/Crème fraîche sauce.

Fried Calamari with Raspberry Mayo

The calamari was cooked beautifully, but the seasoning of the batter was a touch too overpowering to really enjoy Chef’s ability with this oft abused dish. When a chef is able to successfully cook calamari it ought to be celebrated and allowed to stand out on its own. If the seasoning was taken down a notch, some lemon and simple herbs perhaps, and the calamari permitted to be the star, this could be brilliant. I could take or leave the raspberry mayo; I personally prefer my calamari to just speak for itself. The addition of the greens was a welcomed touch.

Spicy Chicken w/ pineapple salsa, papodam, braised cabbage

Spicy Chicken | Pineapple salsa | Papadum | Braised Cabbage

Here is a case where the supporting cast chew the scenery right out from under the leading star. While the chicken was cooked just fine, the season battled with itself, with no real clear winner other than SPICY. What made this dish were all of the secondary components, particularly the pineapple salsa and the papadum. I’m usually wary of fruit based salsa, but I really wouldn’t call these gorgeous chunks of fresh pineapple salsa, rather the perfect condiment to take on the spiciness of the dish. The papadum added just the right amount of crunch, giving this dish a diverse journey of textures.

Pan-seared bass with Absolut citrus salsa

Pan-seared Bass | Absolut citrus salsa

What that man can do with a fish…Seriously. Look at that; that’s art right there, that is. I was groaning in pain from overindulgence, but that did not stop me from appreciating the sheer freshness of this dish. If someone asked me to recommend an entree for dinner, this is the dish I would suggest. It’s brilliance is its simplicity and the grapefruit/orange wedges are the perfect reminder that it is summer. This is the epitome of summer dining.

Mackerel red curry with okra & eggplant bratta

Mackerel | Tamarind curry | okra | eggplant bratta

Though the bread was tasty, I did not love the curry. While I can get behind okra and eggplant, I felt this dish was just a wee too heavy for summer. I also could not appreciate this dish in full due to the mackerel.

Pork Noodles

I was so full by this time that I kind of blacked out when they set this before me. The noodles had a good bite to them, which I appreciated. Noodle consistency is another oft overlooked culinary art form.

Mushroom and Prawn Ravioli - Fresco Bistro

Prawn and Mushroom Ravioli

Why, oh, why did the last dish of the afternoon have to be pasta, my beloved pasta? I can’t comment on what it tasted of as I was trying to curl up under the table and sleep away my food coma, but rest assured I wanted to gobble it right up.

While I may not have fallen head over heels in love with everything Chef sent out, what I appreciated was his bold creativity. Thinking outside the box isn’t an option for Chef; it’s compulsory.
From my outsider POV, food in Ireland has evolved: Phase One was taking the traditional standards and elevating them on a higher culinary level of quality. Phase One is damn near complete, especially in Cork. Phase Two is Thinking Outside the Familiar and daring to be different. Fresco Bistro is pioneering Phase Two.
All in all it was a beautiful spread and the folks of Cork are extraordinarily fortunate to have forward-thinking minds like Brian and Kash that will help usher not just the city, but Ireland itself, into a culinary force to be reckoned with.

Thanks for the invitational, guys – I can’t wait to come back for seconds!

Fresco Bistro
Lewis Glucksman Gallery, UCC
000 Cork, Ireland
011 353 21 490 1848
Mon-Fri: 8:15a-5:00p
Sat-Sun: 12:00p-5:00p
website (Facebook)

FTC Disclaimer: The meal was on the house, but all of the opinions are my own.

Review: Cafe Paradiso (Cork, Ireland)

Posted on September 1, 2010 by Rachael

This is a post long in the making. I’m not just talking about the three months it’s taken me to write this up, no. I’m talking about the fact that this restaurant has been on my radar for well over a year before I actually stepped into its foodie vista. Y’see, I attempted (and failed miserably) to be a vegetarian so when I was initially plotting out my trip to Cork (the city I knew I’d be making home base in) I was hunting for the best vegetarian fare.

People who haven’t been to Cork (let alone Ireland) mightn’t think to connect out of this world vegetarian cuisine with a traditionally meat and potatoes country, but let me be quick to dash any and all assumptions: Cafe Paradiso is not merely a vegetarian restaurant; it is a culinary experience that knows how to work the veg so deliciously it’s almost poetic and no meat is necessary.

I do not want you to think of Cafe Paradiso as a vegetarian only restaurant. It sounds limiting. Truthfully, the food at Cafe Paradiso breaks so many taste bud barriers I think meat would only mar the wonders that master chef and founder Denis Cotter has concocted. This is food for everyone; you do not have to be anything but open minded and ready to have your foodie world rocked to its core.

My first trip to Cafe Paradiso started on a Wednesday early evening. I made a reservation for one but had my friend Steffie guide me because for some reason Ireland really is where the streets have no feckin’ name and totally turns me all about. We parted ways after I spotted the steel blue exterior with foliage etched frosted glass windows. Inside was decorated in muted blues, hardwood floor and comfy seating. Their space is cozy but cleverly used.

I was served a snack of olives and flat crispbread with sesame and pumpkin seeds. Light and tasty – the olives were especially lovely with a bite of brine.

Pan-fried Shitake mushrooms | sea spinach | sweet potato | peanut lime dressing | chili and vermicelli crisps The peanut fluff and cools the chili, but it is the sweet potato and mushrooms that are the real stars, bursting with all of their natural flavor under the harmonious seasoning. The crisps are more for texture than anything else and are a nice contrast to the sea spinach.
The chili is a nice kick but you are not constantly reaching for your water.

Asparagus | Potato & roast tomato gratin | mustard cream | herbed hazelnut | Gabriel cheese crust

“This is what Heaven tastes like,” I told the general manager when she came to check on me.
It was pretty but inviting – short of having EAT ME written all over it. The sauce was so enchanting I had to force myself to put down my fork and savor each bite. It was very difficult not just wolf this dish down. Everything was cooked to perfection: tender potatoes, sweet tomatoes, and asparagus grilled/roasted so flawlessly that I saved the tips for last. The cheese and sauce blend so well you can’t separate them and yet each individual ingredient stands out to my taste buds. The hazelnuts add a wonderful crunch and the herbs are insane; they’re so complimentary.
I ate every single bite…oh my goodness.

This is technically where my first adventure to Cafe Paradiso ended as I was due to meet Steffie by the end of my meal. I wanted dessert so badly, though, so I knew I would have to squeeze in another visit. In the time that I was there the restaurant slowly filled up, mostly with locals. I will also take this time to add that they have an impressive wine list but as I am a wine dolt I stuck with my pitcher of water.
Other items on the menu were:
Cardamon yoghurt
Beetroot, watercress and mint risotto
Sweet chilli-glazed panfried tofu with Asian greens in a coconut & lemongrass broth, soba noodles and a gingered aduki bean wonton

Their menu changes seasonally to use the freshest ingredients each season has to offer. They have a working relationship with Gort-Na-Nain Farm.

Steffie and I managed to make it back on Saturday afternoon to enjoy dessert.

Rhubarb Fool with orange shortbreadArriving in a brandy glass, the fool was light, fluffy and sweet (though not abundantly sugary) with a pinch of tartness from the natural flavors of rhubarb.

Strawberry Pavlova with passion fruit syrupIt was like eating a sweet cloud, not unlike taking a bite out of Care-a-Lot with its toasted meringue shell and fluff on the inside. My first pavlova has set the bar very high!

Needless to say, we left in a happy, hazy sweet-tooth coma.

Some non-veggies don’t realize just how filling and satisfying vegetarian food can be. It’s time to step away from all of the meat and learn all of the wonderful ways our Earth’s fare can accomplish a full meal.

Browse around their website to learn more about Cafe Paradiso’s philosophy, shop, updates, and even some recipes! I can’t wait to purchase Denis Cotter’s cookbooks and be able to attempt these culinary escapades in my own kitchen.

Cafe Paradiso
16 Lancaster Quay
Cork, Ireland
website

Review: Liberty Grill (Cork, Ireland)

Posted on July 22, 2010 by Rachael

Last week I wrote up on Cafe Gusto. Today I entreat you to read about its sister eatery, Liberty Grill, also owned and operated by Denis and Marianne.

Steffie and I are partners in crime when it comes to our shameless love for breakfast food; it’s the meal that can make or break my day. If I have a good breakfast, that has set the standard for my mood and I can carry the memory of delicious, taste-bud pleasing food with me throughout the day. I was more than delighted (but not at all surprised) that Liberty Grill delivered on such an experience.

Eggs Royale
Smoked Salmon | Poached eggs | Sourdough | Hollandaise sauce

Steffie loves her smoked salmon and ordered the Eggs Royale. The verdict? LOVE.

Crab Cake Benedict
Spicy crab cakes | potato | Eggs | Hollandaise

I never turn down a Crab Cake Benedict. Their spicy is pleasantly mild, like a slow, well-seasoned burn. Fresh crab, light eggs so fluffy you’d think they were clouds and perfectly smooth, non-salty Hollandaise. I wanted more!

Steffie and I reserved Liberty Grill for our last full day in Cork, Monday the 14th of June. We were sad to leave but decided to go hog wild and squeeze in as much Cork experience as we could from shopping, to a museum, to dining out twice and even the theater. It was our last day and we wanted a nice send off. Going to Liberty Grill that morning was not just to enjoy an exquisitely prepared meal but to say farewell to our pal Denis, and we could not have asked for a more ideal morning or breakfast.

Liberty Grill
32 Washington St., Cork

Open: Monday-Saturday
Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch: 8am to 5pm
Dinner: 5-9pm

Liberty Grill – Facebook
Liberty Grill – Twitter

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