Lovely Friday Lunch at North Point’s Lemon Pepper Cafe
Bought a bag of food for the doggy at Sunbeam Vets in North Point last Friday. And then walked around the corner and into a spic and span café called Lemon Pepper for what turned out to be an excellent lunch.
Lemon Pepper? You ask: “Isn’t that in the airport.” There is indeed a Lemon Pepper at Cork Airport. “And anyhow isn't that North Point Café called Perry Street?" Not anymore. Both Lemon Peppers fall under the BaxterStorey banner; they opened the airport venue just before Christmas and took over in Blackpool not too long afterwards.
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| Reuben |
The mainly glass-walled room is filled with light, and seating is comfortable. On-screen menus are short and clear. And do watch out for the specials. They even have a special place to show them off.
Having seen the evidence, it was rather difficult not to take either the Lemon Pepper Spiced Rotisserie Chicken Served with Spring Greens and Roasted Baby Potatoes or the Crispy Fried Fish with a side of mashed peas and triple-cooked chips (comes with 1 side salad or another side of your choice). Both dishes were priced at (€13.50).
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| Friday specials |
But I was on the lookout for something a little lighter as dinner was already arranged for the evening. Instead, I made my choice from the sandwiches and it was their Reuben. The traditional filling came in a choice of wraps and I picked the Panini rather than the bread. Not a traditional Reuben cover then, and that might upset some traditionalists, but the sandwich was superb, moist and tasty and streets ahead of one that I ate two days earlier in a very classy venue in the southeast.
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| Salads |
Besides, it came with two sides, neither very big but each very very tasty indeed, a potato salad and a pepper and veg salad, two salads that put what I received with my Reuben in Waterford to shame. Well ahead in price too: Lemon Pepper charged just €7.90 with the Waterford one coming in at €9.80.
BaxterStorey is largely based in the UK but is also strong in Ireland where the operation is headed up by Kieran Callinan, Cork Businessman of the Year in 2019 and well known through his role with Brook Foods (a sister company of BaxterStorey). “He's crafting a food revolution for his clients, serving up award-winning hospitality at racetracks, airports, zoos and workspaces everywhere from Cork to Belfast.”
Both Lemon Pepper cafés in Cork are committed to serving amazing coffee, delicious breakfast, lunch and tasty sweet treats. And the good news is that they will be using fresh local ingredients and supporting local suppliers.
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| Rocky Road and other Treats! |
We saw that ourselves last Friday with the likes of Carrigaline Cheese, Barry’s Tea, and Maher’s Coffee noted on the menu while O’Flynn’s Sausages, Ó’Conaill Chocolate and Ballymaloe Foods are mentioned in a media release on the airport venue.
So good well-priced food, (some enticing treats on the counter), in a comfortable venue. The welcome is warm, and an excellent crew here, friendly and quietly efficient. Call in, make your choices, sit back and relax! And don't forget the Dog’s nuts!
