Isaac’s stunning Chocolate Saint Emilion. Rich, creamy and boozy

Isaac’s stunning Chocolate Saint Emilion.

 Rich, creamy and boozy. 

A boozy Chocolate Saint Emilion dessert was a highlight of a recent lunchtime visit to Isaac’s, a pioneer and consistent standard bearer in Cork’s MacCurtain Street.

And the booze wasn't wine. The dessert is named after the famous wine region near Bordeaux, not the wine!

After our excellent main dishes, we had been thinking of skipping dessert but when I saw this chocolate on the menu, I had second thoughts. I had pleasant memories of it but it was some time later before I realised I first came across it here no less than ten years ago.

That 2015 version Chocolate Saint Emilion was packed with rum soaked macaroon, with cream on the side. Enjoyed the rich and creamy taste of luxury, absolutely superb and enhanced no end by the whiff and flavour of the alcohol. Glad to report the 2025 iteration is every bit as good, every bit as decadent and a great one to share if you are feeling full-ish after earlier courses! 

Isaac's tell me the dessert has been on the menu, between Arbutus and Isaac's, for no less than 36 years! They use a dark rum to soak the macaroon, which rises to the top when the chocolate mouse is setting. Yum Rum!

Sometimes, chefs use cognac instead of rum. I’ve even seen a suggestion from English chef Jeremy Lee “thinking to make use of amontillado, a sherry that delights with chocolate. The result is most pleasing.” In any event, I find it rather puzzling that the dessert is rarely offered in Irish restaurants.

It's green for go at Isaac's.

Isaac’s has been a leader for good food in Cork since 1992. Established by Michael and Catherine Ryan and Canice Sharkey, it has developed into a very popular restaurant receiving great acclaim. If visiting, be sure and make a reservation here.

The Chocolate Emilion is not the only item to appear regulary on the Isaac’s menu. But, don’t worry, they have a good list of specials every day to ensure variety in your choices. For instance Grilled Halloumi with roast red onion, basil, Kalamata olives and harissa oil was one of four starters on offer while Spaghetti with meat balls and fresh basil was one of the mains. Tiramisu was on special but, luckily, that dessert was off the menu by the time we got to choose, otherwise I might have missed the chocolate!.

Penne

My mains were from the regular menu: Penne with wild mushroom cream sauce, house smoked chicken, scallions and parmesan. This was faultless and totally enjoyable, every ingredient playing a part in a thoroughly satisfactory ensemble.

CL choose one of the day’s specials: Pan fried medallions of Monkfish with sautéed potatoes, peas and samphire and chive sauce. Quite enjoyable even if the fish could have done with a tad more time in the pan.

Service was, as always, friendly and efficient, and all in all, we enjoyed the visit, all the more because of that decadent dessert!

For more on Isaac's, check here, more on MacCurtain Street here.

The Mains are tried and tested and the Specials at Isaac's are well worth checking

The Mains are tried and tested, and the Specials at Isaac's are well worth checking

Isaac’s Restaurant on McCurtain Street has been a sterling staple of the Cork City dining scene for 32 years. Since its inception by Michael and Catherine Ryan and Canice Sharkey, it has consistently provided quality dining experiences. No wonder the punters keep flocking in for more. Open every day, except on Bank Holidays, Isaac’s is a well-run restaurant where you can dine with confidence, as confirmed once again during a recent visit. 

Even though they have little left to prove, they keep manifesting they're top class every night of the week. Here, attention to detail ensures customers consistently receive well-sourced, well-cooked meals presented with a smile. The friendly staff are courteous and provide helpful advice when needed. 

 Mild Madras Lamb Curry with basmati rice, poppadum & side dishes.

The curry (above) has been on the menu for decades and remains as enjoyable as ever, with a superb vegetarian version also available. Other enduring favourites include Skeaghanore Duck Confit served with champ, caramelized onions, and a duck thyme jus, as well as a Crispy Fried Brie starter. And of course, steak is always on. Besides, they are excellent with fish (as that cod dish below illustrates). 

In addition to the popular main menu items, Isaac's also offers a dynamic list of specials that keep things interesting. On last week's visit, there were seven specials available, including:

- Seared Scallop Salad with Clonakilty black pudding, crispy pancetta, and pea puree

- Smoked Cod Croquettes with romesco sauce and mixed Horizon leaf salad

- Pan-fried fillets of Seabass with chorizo potato, tender stem broccoli, and chive sauce

- Casserole of Lamb Shank with chive champ

- Oven-baked fillet of Cod with a crab crust, potato rosti cake, savoy cabbage, and beurre blanc

The variety on offer is impressive!

An excellent Sauvignon Blanc from a family-owned sustainable vineyard in New Zealand
enhanced last week's dinner at Isaac's.

The wine list is thoughtfully curated, featuring all the main grape varieties. Among the whites, you'll find Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, and Albarino, while the reds include Tempranillo, Malbec, and Valpolicella. Sauvignon Blanc is notably popular, with three options available. The Rhône region is well represented in the reds. House wines, both red and white, are priced at €31.00 per bottle or €9.50 per glass. Rosé, Champagne, and dessert wines are also offered.

When you add in the comfort, attentive service, and central location, Isaac’s truly stands out as a winning choice for dining.

Opening hours here from their Facebook page.

Duck confit

Isaac’s: Steady as she goes. And she goes well.

Isaac’s: Steady as she goes.

And she goes well.

Brie starter

Steady as she goes may well sum up Isaac’s Restaurant in McCurtain Street, an essential part of the Cork City dining scene for over 25 years now. And since Michael and Catherine Ryan and Canice Sharkey got it up and running way back when, it has been going steady and going well. And, day or evening (they are one of the few places offering dinner seven nights a week), you can visit with confidence as we confirmed once again at the weekend.

We had been looking at doing a late lunch in the city centre but that didn't quite work out so in the end we called to Isaac’s and enjoyed their early bird. The Early Bird hadn’t been our intention but once we noticed that two chosen mains were on that menu we stuck with it. It is excellent food and, at €25.00 for two courses, €27.50 for three, is superb value too.

Chicken starter

They have quite a few regular dishes here on the main menu but it is always freshened up with an impressive list of specials. There were no less than eight last Friday and they included a Fresh Wild Atlantic Crab Salad, a Fritto Misto (Monkfish, Cod and Scallop), Pan Fried John Dory, Pan Fried Cod and a Warm Flourless Chocolate Cake, among others.

So no shortage of choice. No shortage of wines either, regular beers and also craft beer from Eight Degrees and local cider by Stonewell. And local producers are also supported in the kitchen. Service is friendly, helpful and smoothly efficient here.

Lamb Curry

Both our starters were on the traditional side. I must say it is a long long time since I’ve seen Crispy Fried Brie on a menu anywhere. I was delighted to reacquaint myself with this treat served with tomato, chilli jam and mixed leaves. A lovely mix, the softness and flavour of the warm cheese inside, the sweetness of the jam and the fresh crispness of the leaves. Thumbs up.

And thumbs up too from the other side of the table. Here the dish was a Warm Chicken Salad with rustic potatoes and crispy bacon. A bit more robust than the Brie but full of texture and flavour and very much appreciated (though I did manage to get a mouthful, on a barter basis of course!).

Chicken mains

Our table, by the way, was right under the impressive collection (39 in all, I think) of Patrick Scott’s famous Christmas Cards. The Kilbrittain born artist was in the habit of sending these to his friends and you can see the series right here in Isaac’s (itself situated in an 18th century warehouse).

The Early Bird offered four starters and six mains. CL went for the Mild Madras Lamb Curry with Basmati rice and side dishes. We’ve always enjoyed the curry here (their vegetarian curry included) and this was no exception. It was big on quality and not shy on quantity either!

Breast of chicken with buttered spinach and a wild forest mushroom cream sauce was my choice and again this, coming with a side of seasonal vegetables, hit the quality and quantity buttons. Chicken full of flavour, the spinach superb and all enhanced by the sauce. Happy out as we say around here.

Dessert

We weren’t out yet though. Dessert was to come and from a choice of three we decided on the Bread and Butter Pudding with Creme Anglaise (or custard as we say around here!). This was for sharing though and that proved a small problem as the bread slices were folded over one another and not cut into fingers but it was delicious and worth the effort to cut it down to bite size pieces!

So that was it, just the €52.50 bill to be shared (of course), and off with us into the evening sun.

Isaac's

48 MacCurtain Street,
Cork
+353 (0)21 450 3805
 isaacs@iol.ie

Cork City by The Lee. Stay. Eat. Shop. See!

Cork City by The Lee. 
Stay. Eat. Shop. See!

Music city

The Firkin Crane in Shandon,
once the butter capital of the world

See: The Queen made it her number one stop in Cork so you’ve just got to see the English Market, an institution in the city since 1788. Nearby, you’ll see the spires of historic St Fin Barre’s Cathedral.

St Anne’s Church in Shandon is another landmark. Visit and don’t forget to ring the bells.  Cork was once the butter capital of the world and the Butter Museum is in the shadow of Shandon.

Staying north of the river, why not pay a call to the storied cells of the City Gaol. The Glucksman is a lovely art gallery in the leafy grounds of the university while the well established Crawford Gallery is easily accessible in the city centre, next door to the Opera House. And don't forget Elizabeth Fort and the newly opened Nano Nagle Place. Always something interesting on at The Triskel, an arts venue in a converted church.

Shop: While in the English Market why not do a bit of shopping and check out local delicacies such as buttered eggs and spiced beef. The compact city centre boasts a few top notch shopping centres: Merchants Quay, Opera Lane and the new Capitol area. North Main Street has Bradley’s, founded in 1850, and famous for its wall of craft beers.

For a different experience head to Mahon Point Farmer’s Market every Thursday where you’ll find fantastic local cheese and meat and much more, including wild mushrooms, all within a few yards of the large shopping centre.

No shortage of farm to fork restaurants in Cork

Eat: No shortage of eating places including Greene's, Jacques, LesGourmandises and Isaac's while lively lunchtime venues include the Farmgate and Nash 19. Mad on meat? Try Son of a Bun, Holy Smoke, SpitJack, and many more. Exceptional Japanese at Miyazaki (just six stools though!) No meat? Then the amazing Cafe Paradiso is the one, Iyers is another. Idaho is the city centre cafe while coffee stops abound.  For a fuller list of restaurants and cafes, city and county, see my regularly updated list here. Also check the Whazon Cork listings.

A city of bridges

Drink: For something a little different try L’Atitude Wine Café close to the City Hall. The emphasis here is on quality wines and tasty local snacks with a continental touch. Electric, with its downstairs bar and upstairs fish bar, has taken the South Mall by storm since it opened in 2010.  SoHo and the Bodega are other modern bars with restaurants attached.

For something more traditional, including the music, there are quite a few with The Oliver Plunket being very central indeed. And, if you prefer craft beers then the Franciscan Well on the North Mall is the place to go as they have a micro brewery right behind the counter. Other pubs with micro-breweries include Rising Sons (Cornmarket Street), Elbow Lane (Oliver Plunket Street, excellent food here also) and Cotton Ball (Mayfield).

Stay: With excellent food in the building and efficient and friendly service, the River Lee is a lovely place to stay in Cork. If you need something more central, the Clayton is for you. A short distance from the centre, you'll find the Ambassador and the Montenotte, each with great views over the city. 

Fitzgerald's Park

If you are caught for time, stay at the Metropole and explore the amazing McCurtain Street, its pubs, theatre, cafes and restaurants.

Something on the traditional side? Why not the Imperial where you’ll be wined and dined and never be short of company as the locals come and go. Like it leafy? Then the Hayfield Manor and the Maryborough near Douglas are recommended as is the Radisson in Little Island.

Making a quick getaway? The Cork International Airport Hotel is excellent. Heading north or west? Check the Commons Inn.

Walk: Cork is very compact and great for walks. Call to the tourist office and pick up the maps and info for some city centre strolls.

Like to try something more energetic? Then start at the North Mall and take a brisk riverside stroll through the Mardyke, into Fitzgerald’s Park, past the UCC Grounds and then onto the Lee Fields. Just remember you have to come back!

There is a very popular walk by the harbour starting at Blackrock Castle, another great place to visit with an excellent restaurant, the Castle Cafe. For something shorter but still interesting, do the circular walk around the Lough, a suburban lake full of swans and ducks and other wildfowl.

Ballycotton cliff walk, just east of the city

Get Out: No shortage of things to see and do on the eastern side of the city. Take a trip to Fota House and its famous gardens and arboretum. If you have kids, then the Fota Wildlife Park is at hand. Much to do in Cobh also, including a trip by boat to Spike Island, a former prison with history galore. 

Spike Island

To the south then and a highlight in Crosshaven is the coastal artillery fort of Camden with a wealth of history and great views. Another fort, this also being restored, is Charlesfort in Kinsale, a historic town rich in excellent eating places and with a must visit Wine Museum in Desmond Castle. Blarney is just north of the city. The castle, and its famous stone, is a busy spot. Eat at The Square Table.

Strike off to the west and take in the impressive ruins of the abbey at Timoleague . WestCork boasts magnificent beaches and good food producers whose products you may sample in restaurants such as the Pilgrim's (Rosscarbery),  Richy’s Bistro (Clonakilty), and Bastion (Kinsale).

For more detailed guides to the county, check out my East Cork and North Cork recommendations.

Jazz time

Listen: There is almost always a music festival on in Cork and surrounds and the big one is the Jazz, always on the final weekend of October. There is a Folk Festival at the end of September and film buffs are in town in force in November. Check them all out here.

The Choral festival dominates in the spring and summer sings with the Midsummer Festival, followed by the International Folk Dancing Festival. Music in the Marquee  is a big highlight. Night after summer night, the Marquee hosts top names. Bryan Adams, Cliff Richard and Elton John played this summer (2017).

Avoid: The usual big city security precautions apply. Avoid leaving anything visible in your car and so on. Not much else to avoid. Maybe the rainy days. But even those can be fun. Never know who you’ll find singing at the local bar, even on the street. It is a fun city. So enjoy!

Night of the Long Table. Four Hundred Dine Out on Cork’s South Mall

Night of the Long Table

Four Hundred Dine Out on Cork’s South Mall

Phil (standing) wishes Happy Birthday to fiancée Veronica; they get married today.

A night out to remember for the over four hundred diners who gathered on Cork’s South Mall for an outdoor dinner, the second running of Cork’s Long Table. And the sun came too, making it a glorious occasion for the organisers and their partners including Bord Bia, Failte Ireland, Cork City Council and Cork Midsummer Festival.

There was a choice of drink on the way in, anything from Prosecco to cider to beer to a cordial. The first suppliers we met were Colm McCan (what a hat) and Pascal Rossignol of Le Caveau, helping out on the night.

All calm before the service

Soon we were seated at our table, strangers to the right of us, strangers to the left. A few minutes later though and strangers no more! 

A tasty oyster signalled the start of the serving and then came the Producers Boards with Smoked mussels and mackerel, crab with lemon mayo (perhaps my favourite), black and white pudding, spiced beef, crubeens and ham hock terrine, chutney, breads, mozzarella. That got us talking and sharing and there was something for everyone!

Welcome to the Long Table from Colm(left) and Pascal of Le Caveau

The mains meanwhile were being prepared in the kitchens of the nearby Imperial Hotel and distributed to the various staging posts on the pavement. It was worth waiting for, not that we were waiting at all. The rack of lamb with pea purée, salsa verde, mixed leaf salad and loads of superb British Queens, not forgetting Glenilen butter, was totally satisfying though a few of us volunteered for seconds when the opportunity arose.

And the dessert, a very generous one indeed, was Strawberries with crushed meringue, cream and rose petal, another delight. And to finish we had cheese: Milleens to remember the late Veronica Steele and Hegarty’s Cheddar.

Starter board

All the while, the wine, the beer, the cider, whatever you fancied was being served and the brass band played. There was even a birthday surprise for Veronica, served up by fiancé Phil; all go for this couple who get married today. We wish them well!

Once announced, the Long Table Dinner sold out within hours, such was the feeling that this was going to be a good one. And once you saw the list of quality suppliers, you knew the basis was there for a terrific meal. 

Lamb

Suppliers included Frank Hederman, K. O’Connell Fish, Tim McCarthy’s, Rosscarberry Recipes, McCarthy Meats, Haven Fish, Glenilen Farm, Waterfall Farms, Bumblebee Flower Farm, Dave Barry’s Farm, Bushy Berries, On the Pig’s Back, Murphy’s,  Longueville House, 9 White Deer, Le Caveau and Counterpoint.

I've often heard chefs say they are nothing without the producers but the restaurants and chefs have a major role to play in getting the best from the produce and that certainly happened last night with Ali’s Kitchen, Electric Fishbar, The Farmgate, Fenn’s Quay, The Imperial Hotel, Isaac’s Restaurant, Jacob’s on the Mall, Jacque’s Restaurant, L’Atitude 51, Nash 19 and the Rocketman all playing important roles. Cheers to the hard-working owners and staff.

* I’m glad too that Rebel Chilli were also involved as it was in their competition that I, having been caught out by the early booking rush, won the tickets that got me to the Mall. Thanks, folks!

It's a wrap for 2017

Meals with a difference. 2016

Meals with a difference. 2016
(In no particular order)

Good Things dessert

1-Good Things (Skibbereen) with La Stoppa and Le Caveau

Greene's

2-Greene's, with Food & Wine Magazine

3-Isaac's, with Green Saffron

Sushi

4-L'Atitude, with Miyazaki. What to drink with sushi?

Trout at Granary

5-Waterford Harvest Fest. Producers Brunch at The Granary.
6-Celtic Ross. Breton Night.
7-Fish and Chips by Candlelight in the Dingle Aquarium
8-Cafe Paradiso with friends
9-Social Eating at Samphire in Garryvoe Hotel

Crawford

10-Munster Wine & Dine Dinner at Crawford Gallery Cafe

2016 Reviews - see also
Cafes by the side of the road.
Best Places to Stay
Best Hotel Dining Rooms

Best Steaks & 3 Best non-Cork Restaurants 2016

Best Wine Events