Just Ask Restaurant of the Month for July - Mad Fish at Cronin's Pub

The “Just Ask!” Restaurant of the Month winner for July is Mad Fish at Cronin's Pub, Crosshaven, Co Cork

If you ever need an excuse to go to the lovely seaside village of Crosshaven, there’s bound to be something going on at the Cronin family’s Victorian pub on the harbour front that would do very well.

The place is a hive of cultural and foodie activity all year and, even on the rare occasions when there isn’t an event on - art exhibition, the farmers’ market, the annual Redhead Convention (23rd -25th August this year), winter film shows - there’s always fantastic food to be had and masses to enjoy inside and out.

Sean Cronin is the mad collector, responsible for most of the maritime memorabilia and other collections that cram the walls and high shelves of this atmospheric pub while his Dutch wife, Thecla, brought her artistic gene and a love of cooking to the mix. Today these wonderful traits are seen in their son and daughter, Denis and Joeleen, who have joined them in the business.

Cronin’s has been a food destination for many years, thanks to Thecla, and Denis has had the advantage of learning from his mum as well as training at Ballymaloe Cookery School. So it’s no wonder that everything offered here is a simply delicious celebration of the best seasonal local ingredients - and that they are proud to state their food philosophy and credit trusted suppliers on their menus.

In 2009 Denis launched the Mad Fish Restaurant in a small room tucked away at the back of the bar. Together with his partner Caroline Burgess, Denis established a reputation for ‘The Mad Fish Kitchen’, which quickly earned a following for great cooking and big, fresh flavours.

It’s still going, on Friday and Saturday nights - the speciality is Mad Fish Dish, a big Mediterranean inspired fish stew filled with ‘everything the boat have brought in’. But the Mad Fish name is carried on to other menus served in the pub through the week too - you’ll find specialities like Mad Fish soup (‘Not your typical chowder!’) and Mad Fish fisn’n’chips on lunch menus, and any of those may feature on the evening casual dining Seagulls Menu too.

But, although seafood is of course the main theme - and Haven Shellfish of Oysterhaven and Atlantis Seafood of Kilmore Quay are listed along with several local suppliers including the inimitable Sally Barnes Woodcock Smokery at Castletownshend - it’s not all about fish at Cronin’s. Renowned butchers Tom Durcan Meats and O’Sullivans Poultry Supplies, both of Cork’s English Market, supply the great meats and chicken that go into dishes like the Irish Artisan Meat Boards.

These Artisan Meat Board, which are great for casual dining and sharing, offer a choice of rare roasted beef, chargrilled chicken breast or a mixed meat board - the latter is a delicious combination of Gubbeen Farmhouse salami, Cronin’s homemade chicken livers paté (a long established favourite introduced by Thecla) and Tom Durcan’s famous spiced beef carpaccio; all served with crostini and Donegal rapeseed oil, it’s a special dish that’s well worth seeking out.

The spiced beef carpaccio is so popular that it’s also available as a separate dish and offered in two sizes - and, of course, you can always get a good steak here too (Tom Durcan’s prime Irish beef, dry aged for 28 days) and lamb dishes such as Moroocca spiced spring lamb ribs and a tasty spring lamb burger - this comes with homemade tomato relish, which is one of the treats that you can buy to take home.

All round Cronin’s sets the bar very high indeed when it comes to informative menus, great food and atmosphere - a must visit next time you’re in the area.

SAMPLE MENUS

Our trusted Suppliers

We take great pride in providing wholesome, hearty good food and great service. Our recipes are prepared on the premises, using only the finest ingredients that are sourced locally by our trusted suppliers, that we are proud to be associated with.

Ballycotton Seafood Ltd, Co. Cork.
Good Fish Shop, Carrigaline, Co. Cork.
Haven Shellfish, Oysterhaven, Co. Cork.
Shellfish de la Mer, Castletownbere, Co. Cork.
Sally Barnes Woodcock Smokery, Castletownshend.
Tom Durcan’s Butchers, English Market, Cork.
Chicken Inn, English Market, Cork.
Mags Curtin, Milis, Crosshaven. Co. Cork.
Hassets Bakery, Carrigaline. Co. Cork
Southern Fruit, Lehenaghmore, Cork.
Clona Dairies, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese, Co. Wicklow.

LUNCH MENU

Lunch is served daily: Monday – Friday : 12.00 – 15.00 Saturday : 12.00 – 15.30 Sunday : 13.00 – 16.30

Mad fish soup - Not your typical fish chowder!
A Mediterranean style fish soup made with our own freshly prepared shellfish stock and a mixture of local fish depending on daily availability and enriched with brandy and cream for added flavour.
€6.00

Nude fresh Oysterhaven oysters
Shucked to order and served with a number of accompaniments including chilli, lemon and lime chardonnay vinegar jelly, shallot and tarragon vinegar and a wedge of fresh lemon.
half dozen (6) €9
dozen (12) €17
stack (24) €30

French onion soup
Cronin’s Mad Fish Kitchen’s version of a famous French classic. Made with a beef stock base and red wine. This rich and full of flavour soup is topped with croutons and melted cheese. Served with our own sodabread, baked daily.
€5.50

Chicken liver pâté
Thecla’s recipe of a rich chicken liver pate, made with brandy, garlic and butter. Served with toast, homemade cumberland sauce and salad
€9

Salt & pepper squid (GF on request)
Deep fried Irish squid in a light and crispy coating. Served with green salad and homemade aioli.
€12

Rope grown Oysterhaven mussels
Steamed with white wine, finished with a cream and pesto sauce. Served with your choice of chips or home baked brown soda bread.
regular €10
large €14

Fresh organic Irish salmon
Poached in white wine, served with garden leaves, home made salads and brown soda bread.
€12

‘Mad Fish’ fish n’ chips
For this dish, we always use sustainable white fish, caught in Irish waters. The fish is deep fried in fresh beer batter and served with hand cut chips, salad and tartare sauce.
€13

Spring lamb burger
Served with brie cheese, hand cut chips, salad and home made tomato relish.
€13

Vegetarian dish of the day
Please check our specials

Side dishes

Green salad €3
Home baked brown soda bread €2.50
Hand cut chips €3 / €5

desserts

Today’s chocolate dessert
See our specials board

Bannoffee Pie
Biscuit base with golden caramel, banana and
fresh cream
€6

Knicker bocker glory
Ice cream sundae with lots of layers of fruit,
ice cream and fresh cream
€6

Apple pie - Dutch style
lightly spiced with cinnamon and raisins.
Served hot or cold.
€6

teas & coffees

Espresso
Americano
Mug of Coffee (2 shots)
Cappuccino
Macchiato
Cafe Latte
Mocha
Extra shot of coffee
Hot Chocolate
Irish Coffee
Barry’s Tea
Herbal Tea
Hot Ginger

Artisan Irish Meat Boards

Rare roasted beef €10
Chargrilled chicken breast €9
Mixed meat board €14

Fish Plates

Smoked Irish salmon €10
Smoked Irish mackerel €10
Smoked fish duo €12

Try our smaller sized portions for a great, healthy, kiddies meal.

Also available :

Junior sausages and chips €7
Junior fish and chips €8
Fresh mussels with chips or sodabread €10

facebook.com/croninspub
info@croninspub.com
@croninspub
(+ 353) 021 4831829

Dinner Menu

This menu is available every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6pm

mix n match starters, mains and platters to share

Mad fish soup
Not your typical fish chowder!
A Mediterranean style fish soup made with our own freshly prepared shellfish stock and a mixture of local fish depending on daily availability and enriched with brandy and cream for added flavour.
cup : €4
bowl : €6.00

Chef’s selection plate (GF on request)
Let the chef create a selection of different starters for your table to share. Let your server know if you have any preference.
1-2 people : €15
2-3 people : €22.50

Nude fresh Oysterhaven oysters ( GF )
Shucked to order and served with a number of accompaniments including chilli, lemon and lime chardonnay vinegar jelly, shallot and tarragon vinegar and a wedge of fresh lemon.
half dozen (6) : €9
dozen (12) : €17
stack (24) : €30

Salt & pepper squid (GF on request)
Deepfried Irish squid in a light and crispy coating. Served with green salad and homemadeaioli. Handcut chips come with large portion.
regular : €8
large : €17

Pan seared scallops (GF)
Locally sourced scallops. Cooked medium rare and served with potato and Gubbeen salami croutons.
regular : €9
large : €20

Rope grown Oysterhaven mussels (GF on request)
Steamed with white wine, finished with a cream and pesto sauce. Served with your choice of chips or home baked brown soda bread.
regular : €10
large : €18

‘Mad Fish’ fish n’ chips
For this dish, we always use sustainable white fish, caught in Irish waters. The fish is deep fried in fresh beer batter and served with hand cut chips, salad and tartare sauce.
€17.50

Mad Fish Dish ( GF on request)
This tomato based Mediterranean fish stew is our house speciality and is filled with delicious fresh fish and everything that the boats have brought in from mussels to monkfish. Topped with a Galway Bay whole prawn and crispy potatoes.
large : €22
to share : €32

Shellfish platter to share (GF)
Locally sourced shellfish, depending on availability. Please ask your server what the boats brought in today. Served with salad, home baked soda bread and chips
large (2 people) : €32
feast (3 people) : €45

Spiced beef carpaccio (GF)
Tom Durcan’s award winning spiced beef is a traditional Cork favourite. Our twist is by serving as thin carpaccio slices, dressed with mature farmhouse cheese, garden rocket and drizzled with Donegal rapeseed oil.
regular : €8
large : €15

Spring lamb ribs
Morrocan spiced lamb ribs, served with green leaves, homemade hummus and flatbreads.
Handcut chips come with large portion.
regular : €8
large :€17

12 ozs Sirloin steak (GF)
Tom Durcan’s prime Irish beef steak which has been dry aged for 28 days. Cooked to your liking and served with tobacco onions.
€25

Homemade Ravioli
(V / Dairy Free on request)
Please ask your server for this weeks fillings
€18.50

Vegetarian dish of the day (V / Dairy Free on request)
Please ask your server

Our trusted Suppliers

We hope you enjoy our menu which we have prepared using the freshest, local ingredients. Our ethos is to always use sustainable locally sourced fish. We always support local fisheries and only when it is storm force weather will we use farmed fish. We cook everything in-house, from our delicious home baked soda bread to our desserts. We are proud to be associated with the following suppliers :

Haven Shellfish, Oysterhaven, Co. Cork.
Atlantis Seafood, Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford.
Good Fish Shop, Carrigaline, Co. Cork.
Sally Barnes Woodcock Smokery, Castletownshend.
Eamonn O’Neill, the Crab and Lobster Man, Kinsale.
Dermot Cunningham, the Fisherman, Crosshaven
Tom Durcan’s Butchers, English Market, Cork.
O’Sullivans Poultry Supplies, English Market, Cork.
Mags Curtin, Milis, Crosshaven. Co. Cork.
Hassets Bakery, Carrigaline. Co. Cork
Southern Fruit, Lehenaghmore, Cork.
Clona Dairies, Clonakilty, Co. Cork

Side dishes

Garden green salad €3.50
Hand cut chips ’n dips small : €3 large : €5

Baby potato, tarragon, spring onion and rapeseed oil crush €3
Tobacco onions small : €2 large : €4

Bloody Mary shots one shot : €2 two shots : €4

desserts

Flourless chocolate mousse cake (GF)
Served with fruit coulis
€6

Upside down fruit sponge
Served with freshly whipped cream
€6

Knicker bocker glory
Ice cream sundae with lots of layers of fruit, ice cream and fresh cream.
€6

Crème brûlée (GF on request)
We prepare this in a variety of flavours, from vanilla to blueberry. Served with chocolate coated vanilla shortbread. Please ask your server for today’s flavour.
€6

Patron tequila affogato (GF)
A scoop of vanilla ice cream accompanied with a shot of coffee flavoured tequila.
€6

www.croninspub.com
facebook.com/croninspub
info@croninspub.com
@croninspub
(+ 353) 021 4831829