So, if you've read my earlier blog or know me... you realize how long I have been planning to make a trip to Ireland. I realized it would be fitting to research some of Ireland's best restaurants and plan accordingly. Enjoy Part II of this series that covers Cork and Limerick. The food is the best part of ANY vacation in my opinion....
Let's start with Cork!!
Cork is the second largest city in Ireland and the third most populous. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a reputation for rebelliousness dating back to the town's support of the English Pretender Perkin Warbeck in 1491 following the Wars of the Roses. As a result, County Cork has earned the nickname of "the Rebel County", while Corkonians often refer to the city as the "real capital of Ireland", and themselves as the "Rebels".
Cork has a large variety of different restaurants, but since I want to focus on the more traditional Irish foods, I am not going to list any who focus on international cuisine. Restaurants in Cork offer some of the finest places to eat in the country. Cork is often regarded as being the Gourmet Capital of Ireland and Europe's Gourmet Riviera. They offer the freshest of Atlantic fish, rivers full of Salmon & Trout, excellent quality beef, organic cheeses and vegetables, and homemade breads to name a few!!!
Greenes Restaurant
Located in the heart of the City, Greenes Restaurant is one of the top restaurants in Cork and is located in a unique setting, underneath a stone archway, overlooking a beautiful floodlit waterfall.
Using only the finest and freshest local produce, they serve up modern and tasty food that has earned excellent reviews from both customers and critics. Although totally dependant on the fickle Irish weather, customers have the option of dining al fresco beside the unique waterfall, which has, along with the food, become a signature of the restaurant.
Some of their entree options sound delish!!
Baked Cod with Parsley Crust served on Fresh Tagliatelle, Frank Hederman smoked Mussels, Cream & Lemon Sauce
Wild Mushroom & Shallot Risotto topped with Ricotto Salad, shaved Parmesan drizzled with Truffle Oil
Desserts are my favorite!!
Millefeuille of Filo Pastry, Lemon Curd, Strawberries topped
with Chantilly Cream, Watermelon Shake Shot Glass
Fresh Raspberry Crème Brulee with Vanilla Biscuits
La Chateau
Established in 1793 and a landmark in Cork city ever since, is the only bar on the main promenade. You can enjoy Irish Coffees as you watch the world of Cork parade by the from the terrazze area. Inside you can choose upstairs or down for comfort or seclusion.
Lunchtime specialties include Traditional Irish Stew & Seafood Chowder. Although they don't have a website, it's rated one of the best pubs in the area and is located at 93 St. Patrick Street! How fitting! =)
Farmgate Cafe
Farmgate was established when Maróg O'Brien opened her restaurant and country store in Midleton, County Cork in 1984. Ten years later, in 1994, Maróg's sister Kay joined her, and so the café in the English Market was established. Located in the heart of Ireland's oldest and most historic food market, with an industrious exciting view overlooking stalls and fellow traders, Farmgate Café embraces much of what is unique and traditional to Cork along with new influences in this dynamic multicultural food market and port city.
Centuries old traditional, seasonal, regional, even 'forgotten' foods are at the core of the Farmgate ethos, and also form a visible link between the menu and the wonderful array of produce downstairs. This allows Farmgate Café to provide a uniquely Irish eating experience both reflecting and playing a small role in a vibrant Irish food culture truly embracing how good indigenous ingredients and food products are.
In this way, Farmgate, which draws on the best food producers in the region - many of whom are Good Food Ireland members, along with the market and market traders, work together, collectively, locating Cork and the island of Ireland as a 'food capital' on the culinary map of Europe.
Their menu varies from day to day according to what is available at market. They list a sample menu on their website that includes:
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