Showing posts with label Blanco Nino. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blanco Nino. Show all posts

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Good Day Deli. They Got You Covered

 Good Day Deli. They Got You Covered

Burger in the hot sun!


When the move to outdoor dining gathered momentum, most restaurateurs were thinking how do we protect our diners from the rain. But very few were thinking how do we protect our diners from the sun! None of us expected this current heatwave.


Great to have the sun but these high temperatures have certainly brought a new set of problems with it! Some of us, of a certain age, are less inclined to make the effort to head downtown. And I also think it takes the edge off the appetite. We were in Good Day Deli the other day and were prepared to go the whole nine yards, as it were, and that included dessert. But after a lovely main course in the glaring sun, there was no appetite left for the sweet stuff!

Cool from Ovens


We had mixed luck on a few trips this last month or so. Rather than highlighting the poor ones, I’ll tell you about the very good places. One that impressed in June was the Fiddle & Bow in Doolin with its extensive gazebo/canopy line-up with low sides that reached almost to the ground plus a line of private booths. The Fish Box in Dingle also had a series of these booths (mostly 4-person), nicely finished and constructed, that allow for sixty covers. 


In Cork city Princes Street, with its line of adjoining parasols and the high sided buildings at each side of the narrow street, provide quite a lot of cover from the elements. But other places aren’t as lucky and the extra sun is proving a problem - I almost got burned when I picked up my knife and fork that had been left, obviously for quite a while, on the sunny side of my table; I quickly dropped them.


In fairness though, I didn’t hear one word of complaint when dining outside, either in a mist or in the unusual heat. It seems to me that customers are game to make the best of it as are many of their hosts as well. The more we pull together the further we will go.

Fish from the Coast and Tacos from Tipp


So back to Good Day Deli who, as in previous occasions, run a good ship with regard to the Covid regulations. You get a good run-down on how to proceed on arrival and that doesn’t mean a lecture; time for smiles and chats too as is always the case here.


You may get your menu from a QR code on the table but I thought I was a step ahead having had a look at the menu online before coming down. We were in for the lunch menu (begins at 12.30pm, ends at 4.00pm);  the Morning Menu runs from 10.00am to 12.30pm.

Our view!


Choices included a Seasonal Tart (featuring Hegarty’s Cheddar), Spiced Carrot Fritters, and their well-loved GDD Buddha Bowl with seared Toons Bridge Halloumi). My pick was the Big Kiwi Burger (16.50), a house made lentil burger topped with creamy Ardsallagh Goats Cheese, sweet beet relish, layered with caramelised red onion, leafy greens, carrot ribbons, with hand cut fries. I could have added an organic fried egg for two euro but thought I had enough on my plate.


And it was indeed an excellent plate, lots of textures and flavours there and no shortage of satisfaction either as the helping was generous. And their sweetish Brioche bun was a delightful if unexpected  highlight. Had been looking forward to trying their Bushby Strawberry Soda but that was off the menu. Instead, I enjoyed (as I always do) a bottle of the delicious Mealagulla Apple Juice, one of the best around and a regular on the menu here. 


As you can gather, their support of local producers has been unwavering since they started here a short few years back. They say: “Sustainable food nourishes us, protects the natural environment and supports thriving local economies and communities."

Red Abbey, just a few metres from Good Day Deli entrance


We were dining outside, of course. They have a line of gazebos on a higher level in the garden but these are reserved for groups of four people.  We were on their patio and, while there is an awning overhead, CL was trying to fit herself into a diminishing slice of shade as she enjoyed her Kai Moana Fish Tacos (17.95). This is lightly battered Irish Hake on Blanco Nino Tortillas with raw slaw, pickle and coriander aioli, served with hand cut paprika fries. This is a regular dish here and never disappoints.


As I mentioned earlier, I didn’t make it to dessert! Next time? Maybe not. Their Morning Menu is very tempting as well!

 

Good Day Deli


Thursday, February 8, 2018

Good Day Deli. Good Food Daily

Good Day Deli

Good Food Daily
Pic by Good Day Deli

Kai Moana is one of the exotic names that pops up on the menu at Good Day Deli in the gardens of Nano Nagle Place in Cork City. Those of you who have visited the South Pacific, especially New Zealand and the “neighbouring” islands, will not find them strange at all and know that Kai Moana is the Maori for seafood.

Perhaps the most important two words you’ll read are Mana Tiaki. It is the motto for this lovely new daytime restaurant. “In the Cook Islands, the core value of Mana Tiaki is guardianship of heritage and the environment for future generations. Mana Tiaki is a beautiful value to live by and is at the core of Good Day Deli.”

So sustainability is the guideline for the crew here, fronted by owners Clare Condon and New Zealander Kristin Makirere and Head Chef Charlotte Murphy, from the food sourcing right down to the paper napkins. 


Importantly that food is delicious; the word has already spread and the place was packed when we visited about 12.30pm last Friday. Don't just look in through the glass and say “we’ll never get a table”. Open the door and soon enough you’ll be seated. You may reserve a table earlier in the week (Tuesday to Thursday).

The afternoon menu kicks in at 12.30. After a few minutes delay we were seated and studying the list. There was a hot seasonal soup (chilli and coriander in this case), a Tart of the Day, a Vibrant Vegan dish, and a Halloumi Citrus Salad. Sides galore: honey, nut dukkah, tapenade, hummus, paprika fries and more.

We had spotted a hake dish on their facebook page and were hoping it was still on. It was and CL picked that one: Kai Moana Fish Tacos, lightly battered Irish Hake on Blanco Nino Corn Tortillas with raw slaw, pickle plus lemon coriander mayo and fries. That fish was fresh and delicious, a lovely dish for €15.00.

I also hit the jackpot with the GDD Curry Bowl (€14.00). Crown Prince Squash + Chickpea Coconut Curry Bowl, with Basmati rice, yogurt and toasted coconut is the full description. Probably the best curry I've ever tasted is mine. Just perfect.

Service here, even with the small queue at the door, is excellent. No pressure, just smiles and all the info you want.

One of their aims is to “elevate local producers”. They feature quite a list on the menu including (it will change seasonally) well-known cheesemakers such as Ardsallagh, Hegarty’s and Toonsbridge, farms like Kilbrack, Horizon and Richard’s, also Green Space, Frank Hederman, Ballycotton Seafood, and Organic for Us (milk). Quite an impressive list and that’s only half of it. Oh yes, the Blanco Nino Corn Tortillas with the hake are made in Clonmel.

The café, bright and airy with some outside tables, has one of the best situations on the city, in the middle of the peaceful well-kept gardens of the Nano Nagle Place, fast becoming one of the city centre’s top attractions. While at the café, I took the opportunity to visit the buildings and you may read about it here. No doubt as the season goes on, both Nano Nagle and Good Day Deli will get busier.

Nano Nagle Place
Douglas Street
Cork
(021) 432 2107
clare@gooddaydeli.ie