Cork's Farmgate Café. Where time doesn't stand still and tradition thrives
As we queued for lunch behind a small group of French speakers and others on the stairs up to the Farmgate Café in Cork's English Market, we began to get a little worried. You have to reach the top to see how many are in and if there are vacant tables.
We could have had booked and would have had if it had been a Friday or a Saturday. But this was a Wednesday (after the Jazz Weekend) and we thought we’d be okay. As it turned out we did find a table, just for an hour we were told. There was no rush in the end but I’ll be more persistent on the phone the next time!
The delay was slight, to be honest, and we didn't really have time to study the menu (that had been handed to us as reached the top of the stairs) until we were seated and enjoying two of their breads, including the marvellous white soda that we occasionally buy at their stall downstairs - it is one of our favourite breads in the city.
The menu doesn't change all that much but we were here for the traditional plates - I had already pencilled in the Irish Lamb Stew. CL went for their Chicken Supreme and our dessert was Bread and Butter Pudding. All three are not so much traditional as timeless. As long as local producers maintain their high standards and as long as the Café, now with Rebecca Harte at the helm (having taken over from her mother Kate (the café’s founder), then these treasures of the ages will await you.
But don't worry, there is plenty of variety in the short menu. They are open to outside influences. How could they not be with so much of the market below also enhanced by flavours and spices from many countries and cultures and so you will see Atlas Green Olives, Pork Rillettes, Moroccan spices, and Scarmorza, sitting on the menu along with longstanding staples such as Loin of Bacon, Ladysbridge Potatoes, Tripe and Onions and Barry’s Tea.
While you are waiting for your food to arrive and or between courses, take a look over your shoulder and see which poet is looking down on you - Seán Ó Tuama's work was at my shoulder.
In the area, where you can book a table, there is, since 2005, the Poetry Wall.
An initiative of poet Gerry Murphy and Kay Harte, it is a unique collection of poems, by Cork, Irish and international poets, commissioned by the Farmgate Café to celebrate Cork’s year as European Capital of Culture. In 2018 President Michael D Higgins visited and added his own handwritten composition Stardust. Where else would you get that with your spuds?
And speaking of spuds, those Ladybridge potatoes are superb, the traditional balls of flour. Quite a few years back, Kay Harte and I were entertaining a couple of high-ranking US bloggers here and they too were bowled over by the potatoes and the phrase. Back in those days, the spuds from the same supplier were stored on the stairs. I don't think that’s the case now but they are as good as ever.
They came, large and floury, to be shared between us. The stew, with a selection of seasonal root vegetables, was superb, just what I expected. CL was more than happy with a beautifully cooked (large) piece of chicken, that too enhanced by the same veg and potatoes.
Both dishes are very highly recommended by the way. Other choices on the day included regulars such as Tripe and Onions with Drisheen (and those potatoes!);
Ardsallagh Goats Cheese Ciabatta, Balsamic Roasted Onions, Rocket & Walnut Pesto; Sourdough Sandwich with Moroccan spiced Chicken and Coriander Mayonaise; and a Toasted Sandwich (Loin of Bacon, Scarmorza Cheese, Onion Marmalade). 
A favourite bread!
There were a couple of tempting specials as well: a Chicken, Bacon and Mushroom Pie; and Pan-roasted Hake. Oh, I almost forgot that Bread and Butter pudding was very enjoyable. As simple as could be, just the basic bread and butter and sultanas in a generous pool of "creamy" custard. Another thumbs up from us for tradition!
Lunch is served from 12.30pm to 15.30pm (Tuesday to Friday) and the phone number is 00 353 21 427 8134. On Saturday, hours are as above but breakfast from 08:30 and lunch until 16:00. Be sure and check their socials for updates.
Instagram: farmgatecafe
Youthful Léa’s already making a name for itself and creating a buzz in the Glucksman at UCC.
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| Steak! |
Léa's, a new daytime restaurant in Cork's Glucksman Art Gallery, is being brought to you by three youthful friends: Colm Liston, Joe Dowling, and Cyprien Jouve.
The trio, who already have two successful cafes in the city under the Joe's+Bros title, are aiming to create a high-energy hub for people to hang out, drink good coffee, eat better food, and listen to great music (not too much need for music if this level of buzz continues!).
And that buzzy atmosphere, the happy noise of people of many ages enjoying their food and drink, has been there from the August (2023) start. The place was packed when we visited last week and one of the staff told me it is like that every day, seven days a week. So do book here before you go.
We arrived about 12:30 pm and were soon at our table with both the brunch and lunch menus to choose from.
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| Chicken |
As it happened, we picked one from each. My choice from the Brunch menu was the Chimichurri Steak: Open Rosscarbery steak served on Pana toast with chimichurri, fried egg, crispy onions, hollandaise and dressed leaves. Packed with flavours, on well-oiled bread (a good quality olive oil ensuring the toast wouldn’t break my “old” teeth!). This satisfactory plateful could well be your dinner for the day. Just add a side to be sure!
CL chose the Léa’s Sambo: Grilled chicken or Pulled ham, garlic mayo, crispy shoestring fries and piccalilli (a favourite of hers) served on pana bread with Monterey Jack cheese. The chicken choice was taken and the sambo was superb, again adding a side will make quite a plateful and you have some 11 sides to choose from.
Open from 8.30 am, Léa's offers a breakfast menu of contemporary dishes, such as Chocolate porridge, Cacao granola, and Peanut butter toast. For brunch (from 10.00 am), there's a wider selection to choose from, including Ham hock benedict, Chimichurri steak, and Hong Kong French toast (not too sure about this variation but bound to suit someone!).
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| Léa's, pictured from the west. That wall is a necessary flood defence but also acts as a wind barrier to the outside dining area. |
Those sweet treats consist mostly of cake slices though brownies and cookies are also available. We enjoyed the Orange and Almond Tart, nice and moist with excellent Badger & Dodo coffee.
Léa's has been open for just four weeks, but it's already proving to be a popular spot with students, college staff and visitors. The restaurant is already known for its friendly atmosphere, efficient and friendly service, delicious food, and reasonable prices. If you're looking for a new place to go for breakfast, brunch, or lunch, Léa's is definitely worth a try.
* The menus are based on the best of local produce and this is well handled in the kitchen. There is a list of suppliers on the wall here and they include the likes of Rosscarbery beef and pork, K. O’Connell Fish, Pana Bread, Toonsbridge Dairy, Stonewell Cider and Barry’s Tea.
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| The Glucksman |
* The Glucksman Gallery is a renowned cultural institution, and its unique setting makes it a perfect partner for Léa's. The gallery, with its cantilevered and wood-clad structure, is listed internationally as one of the “1001 buildings you must see before you die”. Léa's plans to offer extended hours to accommodate gallery and university functions.
* Unless you are permitted to use the college lots, parking may be a problem but both the 208 and 205 buses service the area and their stops are just a few steps from the college gates and Léa’s is just a few minutes inside.
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!
Mizen Head Fascinates Even
On A Grey And Windy Day
The forecast didn't promise sunshine. The forecast winds came for sure but were not as strong as we had hoped, so no real drama as the Atlantic moved in to wash the toes of Europe in Dunlough Bay. Still, Mizen Head's capacity to enthral its visitors was evident and there were quite a few here at Ireland's most southerly point. More info here from the Mizen Head website, very informative indeed and well worth a visit before you travel.
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| Don't think these bulbs were used in the signal lamp! |
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| Three's a crowd. Three choughs together, briefly. This bird, a member of the crow family, is resident along rocky coasts in Munster, as well as parts of Connaught and Ulster |
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| Dunlough Bay (plus two below) |
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| Right to left: landslide, footbridge and lighthouse |
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| The footbridge (and three pics below) |
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| Lighthouse |
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| Lighthouse and footbridge |
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| At Ireland's most southerly point |
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| An old shed |
2022 Virgin Media Business Gold Medal Awards Winners Announced | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Imperial Hotel in Co. Cork has been crowned the Supreme Winner at the Virgin Media Business Gold Medal Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Now in their 33rd year, the Gold Medal Awards are recognised as the leading independent awards programme for the Irish hospitality industry. Judged by industry experts, the Virgin Media Business Gold Medal Awards recognise and reward excellence in hospitality and catering operations across the island of Ireland. The winners were announced on Tuesday, the 31st of January at a gala awards ceremony hosted by Anne Doyle at The Galmont Hotel & Spa in Galway. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| After much deliberation, the judging panel have chosen the candidates they believe to be worthy of receiving a Gold Medal Award and only the best in the industry were crowned winners. Amongst many other winners on the night, Adare Manor in Co. Limerick took home the Gold Award for "Ireland's Five Star Resort", sponsored by Virgin Media Business. Hotels were awarded nationwide as Castle Leslie Estate in Co. Monaghan was named "Ireland's Favourite Place To Stay", voted for by the public. Other properties across the nation were also praised such as the Armada Hotel in Co. Clare as they won "Ireland's Four Star Hotel", sponsored by Career Vision Recruiters. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| For more information visit www.goldmedal.ie or Call 01-6401777 or email the events team with your details and enquiry to: events@ashvillemediagroup.com. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 Winners Badges | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 Winners Revealed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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