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Just Ask Restaurant of the Month for March - Ferrit & Lee, Midleton

The “Just Ask!” Restaurant of the Month winner for March is Ferrit & Lee, Midleton, Co Cork

Ferrit & Lee

Pat Ferriter and Stephen Lee celebrate a year in business at their smart modern restaurant near the gates of the Old Midleton Distillery this month - and they have every reason to be proud of their achievements.

Taking over the reins of a successful restaurant that they had long associations with and putting their own stamp on it could have been daunting, but the new name and crisp branding was a clear statement of intent and they’ve achieved the reinvention with style.

The pair have a lot in common: both men are from the area and chefs by training, both had worked under several local luminaries including Ciaran Scully (Bayview Hotel, Ballycotton) and - unusually - both had worked here at the former Raymond’s Restaurant for over a decade (Stephen as head chef).

So - keenly aware of the value of retaining a local following (based on a well earned reputation for interesting food, top notch cooking and value for money) while putting their own smart-casual stamp on the new venture - they threw themselves energetically into Midleton’s vibrant food scene.

The cooking style is broadly modern Irish with some international influences, but the ingredients are very local - including seafood from Ballycotton and meats from local farms - and suppliers are credited.

“We enjoy serving food produced in our region to our local and visiting customers,” say Pat and Stephen, who proudly state that all beef and lamb is sourced from East Cork farms, and they credit two butchers - Crowley’s Craft Butchers, Midleton and O’Brien Butchers, Carrigtwohill - as well as The Chicken Inn at the Old English Market and East Ferry Farm, near Midleton, who supply their poultry and duck.

While East Cork is famous for its excellent meats, superfresh seafood from Ballycotton harbour - supplied by Ballycotton Seafoods and Richard Guerin of Ballycotton - is also a major draw for diners, and every plate is also enhanced by vegetables from County Cork’s rich farmland, supplied by The Village Greengrocer at Castlemartyr and Horizon Farms, Kinsale. Eggs too, so often overlooked, are credited - to Midleton Eggs, from nearby Ballinacurra - and Ardsallagh Goat’s Cheese from Carrigtwohill, gets due mention too.

Making the most of this delicious produce, customer-friendly lunch and evening menus overlap to some extent, with the addition of some casual options (soup, sandwiches, wraps) at lunchtime and the welcome inclusion of a number of dishes that are offered in two sizes.

Popular mains regularly featuring on both menus include Tempura Fillet of Haddock, with pickled salad, fries & house tartare sauce; Confit Leg of Duck, Braised Apple and Red Cabbage, Creamed Potato, Jus; and Bacon & Smoked Cheese Burger on a Brioche Bun, Fries and House Slaw.

Beautifully cooked and presented, this is popular, accessible food yet with a fine dining edge - and a sense of place - to the style. And, along with a well chosen wine list there are plenty of local drinks to accompany the tasty fare - Stonewell Cider from Kinsale, beers from 8 Degree in Mitchelstown and Blacks of Kinsale, for example, and - a boon for coeliacs - Saor gluten free beer brewed in Ballyvourney.

Midleton is far from being short of good eating places - indeed, some of Ireland’s longest-established champions of ‘place on a plate’ are here and in the surrounding area - yet Ferrit & Lee has succeeded in making it mark. And Pat Ferriter and Stephen Lee’s keen appreciation of the good things that the locality has to offer is a key reason for their success.

For additional information on Just Ask and previous Just Ask winners, or to find out how to get involved, visit www.bordbia.ie.

SUPPLIERS

Ferrit & Lee is located in the heart of the community and we enjoy serving food produced in our region to our local and visiting customers.

Here are some of our valued local suppliers.

Seafood
Ballycotton Seafoods
Richard Guerin, Ballycotton

Butchers
Crowley’s Craft Butchers, Midleton
O’Brien Butchers, Carrigtwohill

All our Beef & Lamb is sourced from East Cork Farms.
Our poultry and ducks are sourced from The Chicken Inn, Old English Market and Cork East Ferry Farm, East Ferry, Midleton

Olive Oil & Cheeses
Ardsallagh Goat’s Cheese Carrigtwohill Carrig Foods, Carrigtwohill

Eggs
Midleton Eggs

Vegetables & Herbs
The Village Green Grocer, Castlemartyr
Horizon Farms, Kinsale

Craft Beer & Cider
• Stonewell Cider – 500ml 5.5% Brewed in Kinsale €5.95

• Stag Rua, Red Ale – 500ml 4.5% Brewed in Ballyvourney €5.95

• 8 Degree Barefoot Bohemian Pilsner €5.00

• 330ml 4% Brewed in Mitchelstown

• SAOR, Kolsch – 500 ml 4.5% €5.95
• Gluten Free – Brewed in Ballyvourney

• Blacks of Kinsale, Pale Ale 500ml 5% €5.95

• Cronin’s Cider, Kerry, 500ml 4.5% €5.95

SAMPLE MENU:

Ferrit & Lee
DistilleryWalk, Midlteon, Co Cork

Call +353 21 4635235 from 11am – 11pm daily. We’d love to hear from you.

Lunch Menu

STARTERS & SALADS

• Seasonal Soup (See Specials Board) … €5.00
• Ballycotton Seafood Chowder … €7.50/€12
• Crispy Lemon and Thyme Goat’s Cheese Bon Bons, Beetroot Relish, Pickles, Pistachio nuts .(Add Chorizo €2 extra) … €8.00/€14.00
• Spiced Falafel Salad, Sauerkraut, Crushed Hazelnuts, Yoghurt and Tahini Dressing … €8.00/€14.00
• Ham Hock and Black Pudding Terrine, Mulled Quince Chutney, Beef Dripping Crostini… €8.00
• Thai Fish Cake with Asian Salad, nam Jim Dressing … €8.50/€14.50
• Beef, Mustard & Cheddar Croquettes, Pickled Salad, Horseradish Creme Fraiche … €8.00
• Honey and Mustard Chicken Salad, Rustic Potatoes, Roast Hazelnuts, Ardsallagh Feta Cheese … €8.00/€14.00

SANDWICHES & WRAPS served with Soup or Fries

• East Ferry Free Range Turkey, Stuffing & Mayonnaise Sandwich on Cuthbert’s Sourdough … €10.00
• Bacon, Smoked Cheddar, Relish and Mustard Mayo on Cuthbert’s Sourdough … €10.00
• Crispy Cajun Chicken and House Slaw Wrap … €10.00
• Spiced Falafel Wrap, Sauerkraut, Yoghurt and Tahini … €10.00

MAINS

• Braised Lamb Shoulder, Onion & Thyme Stuffing, Seasonal Potato, Vegetables, Salsa Verde … €13.00
• Slow Cooked Jameson Marinated Featherblade of Beef, Caramelised Carrots, Celeriac, Spinach Mash, Red Wine Jus … €15.00
• Tempura Fillet of Haddock, Pickled Salad, Fries & House Tartare Sauce … €14.50
• Chicken Tikka Masala, Basmati Rice, naan Bread … €13.50
• Catch Of The Day (See Specials Board) …
• Egg Penne Pasta, Spiced Chorizo, Courgette, Tomato Sauce, Spinach & Fennel Puree, Garlic Bread … €12.50
• Confit Leg of Duck, Braised Apple and Red Cabbage, Creamed Potato, Jus … €14.00
• Bacon & Smoked Cheese Burger on a Brioche Bun, Fries and House Slaw … €13.00
• Sirloin Steak, Red Onion Confiture, Mushrooms, Pickled Salad, Fries, Jameson Whiskey Pepper Sauce or Garlic Butter … €23.50

Dinner Menu

STARTERS

• Seasonal Soup (See Specials Board) … €5.00
• Ballycotton Seafood Chowder … €7.50
• Crispy Goat’s Cheese Bon Bons, Beetroot Relish, Pickles, Pistachio nuts … €8.50/€15.00
• Warm Honey and Mustard Chicken Salad, Warm Rustic Potatoes, Roast Hazelnuts, Ardsallagh Feta Cheese … €8.00/€15.00
• Ham Hock and Black Pudding Terrine, Mulled Quince Chutney, Beef Dripping Crostini … €8.50
• Thai Fish Cakes with Asian Salad, Nam Jim Dressing … €8.50/€15.00
• Jameson, Ginger and Lime Cured Salmon, Crab and Apple Salad, Avocado Puree … €9.50
• Beef, Mustard & Cheddar Croquettes, Pickled Salad, Horseradish Creme Fraiche … €8.00

MAINS

• Braised Lamb Shoulder, Fondant Potato, Smoked Bacon, Peas, Salsa Verde … €18.00
• Slow Cooked Jameson Marinated Featherblade of Beef, Caramelised Carrots, Celeriac, Spinach Mash, Red Wine Jus … €18.00
• Tempura Fillets of Haddock, Pickled Salad, Fries & House Tartar Sauce … €16.00
• East Ferry Free Range Ballotine of Turkey, Bacon Stuffing, Spinach Mash, Sherry & Wild Mushroom Cream … €17.00
• Spiced Falafel Salad, Sauerkraut, Feta Cheese, Crushed Hazelnuts, Garlic & Greek yogurt Dressing … €14.00
• Catch Of The Day (See Specials Board) …
• Egg Penne Pasta, Spiced Chorizo, Courgette, Tomato Sauce Spinach & Fennel Puree, Garlic Bread … €15.00
• Confit Leg of Duck, Braised Apple and Red Cabbage, Creamed Potato, Jus… €17.50
• Monkfish Marinated in Jameson and Honey, Wok Fried Pak Choy, Hoisin Sauce, Lime Rice … €24.00
• 10 oz Sirloin Steak, Flat Mushrooms, Red Onion Confiture, Seasonal Vegetables, Fries, Jameson Whiskey Pepper Sauce or Garlic Butter … €24.00
• Chicken Tikka Masala, Natural Yoghurt, Basmati Rice, naan Bread … €15.00
• Bacon & Smoked Cheese Burger on a Brioche Bun, Fries & House Slaw … €15.00

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VIEW ALL JUST ASK RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH WINNERS

“Just Ask!” is a public awareness campaign that aims to encourage consumers when eating out to look for information on where the food (particularly meat) on their plate comes from, and encourages chefs to provide this information on their menus. The programme supports both large and smaller artisan suppliers, encouraging both Irish diners and visitors from abroad to support restaurants that are in turn supporting their suppliers.

Here at Georgina Campbell Guides we have always been avid supporters of the ‘eat local’ concept, and we always enjoy reading menus that have a real sense of place. The dining experience is greatly enriched by knowing that the food on your plate is inspired by the produce and traditions of the area, and sourced nearby – and we would love to see more chefs sharing that precious information with their guests.

If you are a visitor to the area, learning a little about local food and the people who produce it adds a special extra dimension to the visit – and, for residents, it reinforces a natural pride in the good things of their locality and makes a meal all the more enjoyable.

So, we are delighted by the high standard of menus that continue to be submitted for our ' “Just Ask!” Restaurant of the Month Competition', menus that really speak of the best of Irish foods – and the dedication of both the people who make them, and the chefs who select them to create wonderful dishes with real Irish flavour for our enjoyment.