There’s a lovely buzz in the air when you enter Liberty Grill, which is a sister restaurant to Café Gusto (Washington Street & Lapps Quay, see entry), so you may expect the same food philosophy based on quality ingredients, where possible organic and locally sourced.
This Cork restaurants situated on the ground floor of an early Victorian building, and the room is attractive with exposed stonework and dark wooden floors. Lighting is well designed, and a brilliant white ceiling also reflects light, giving it a bright and spacious atmosphere. Comfortably spaced tables are set up bistro style and there's usually a good a buzz, sometimes ramping up the decibels. Popular with the locals and visitors to Cork city there’s an interesting mix of clientele, who range in age from children to grandparents.
Separate menus are offered for breakfast/brunch, lunch/brunch and dinner. A Sparkling Start might be the ideal way to begin the day – a glass of bubbles, eggs Benedict or Florentine and tea or coffee. Or perhaps a Mediterranean breakfast with eggs on toasted pitta, grilled halloumi, roasted vine baby tomatoes, fresh spinach and pesto? Though you may prefer breakfast Irish style with Black pudding Hollandaise.
The extensive brunch menu is very appealing, especially if you are staying 'room only' in the area. The overlapping breakfast and brunch menus offers delights that include the ‘Full American’ or ‘the East Coast’, the latter with juice, French toast or pancakes with bacon or maple-fried banana and tea or coffee. Or the Mojito chicken salad with Mojito marinated chicken, herbed quinoa, dressed seasonal leaves, crispy veg and toasted almonds.
Lunch and dinner menus offer a choice of steaks, salads and burgers and fresh fish from the English Market. A good choice is the Tennessee Flambé, medallions of beef, peppered and flavoured with two shots of Jack Daniels whisky, served with mushrooms, sweet balsamic onions and crispy garlic potatoes. Burgers include a nut burger and falafel burger suitable for vegetarians and Tempeh burger for vegans – a GM-free soya bean burger. A small wine list is also offered.
Liberty Grill offers real, tasty food and good value in pleasant surroundings.