Just Ask Restaurant of the Month for March - No. 5 Fenns Quay Restaurant

The “Just Ask!” Restaurant of the Month winner for March is No. 5 Fenn's Quay Restaurant, Cork

“Our philosophy is simple, we use only the best produce from the best local suppliers and treat them with care and attention to detail” - that’s Kate Lawlor, the Euro-Toques owner-chef of Cork city’s No. 5 Fenn’s Quay, telling it as it is on the home page of their web site.

Kate's passion for careful sourcing of ingredients permeates her cooking at the atmospheric 250-year old listed building where she not only has a well deserved loyal local following, but also attracts lovers of good food from far and wide.

Everything possible is local and seasonal, a point that is underlined time and again on her shortish but mouthwatering menus that name many of the region’s great producers and suppliers - the roll call from County Cork alone includes famous products like Rosscarbery Recipes breakfast meats, Gubbeen and Carrigaline cheeses, Toonsbridge Dairy Buffalo Mozzarella and Ballyhoura Mountain Mushrooms, and there are many more from neighbrouring counties.

And, unusually, every menu also offers an invitation that is ‘Just Ask!’ in a nutshell: “For further information on our suppliers and about the menu please ask your server.” It would be lovely to see this kind of engagement with diners more often.

There’s always something tempting for vegetarians (Ballyhoura Mountain Mushroom risotto, perhaps), and specials include seafood sourced daily from K. O’Connell’s at the nearby English Market.

But meat - specifically beef - takes pride of place here and char-grilled fillet steak "Wellie Style" is an enduring favourite, which comes with house cut potato chips and a selection of more-ish accompaniments like roast flat cup mushrooms and red onion confit.

Other flavoursome favourites include feather blade of beef with roast root vegetables & Dungarvan Stout gravy, and O’Mahony’s collar of bacon with cabbage, spiced walnuts & parsnip purée.

Credited butchers include Tom Durcan Meats (especially famous for their spiced beef) and O’Mahonys Butchers, both of the English Market, and it is especially interesting to see suppliers of local drinks highlighted - the excellent Stonewell and Longueville ciders, both from Co Cork, come from Bradleys’ Off Licence on North Main Street, for example, and Dungarvan Brewing Company, just up the coast in West Waterford, supply their famous craft beers.

This is a restaurant with real heart and Kate is very happy to wear her culinary heart on her sleeve. They even offer a free recipe booklet, ‘Cork on a Fork’ as a pdf on their website. Now that’s customer service.

SAMPLE MENUS & SUPPLIER LIST

DINNER “Cork on a Fork” @ No. 5 Fenn’s Quay

With a few spoons from over the border

“Have a lash of the starters”

Cauliflower & Potato Spiced Spring Rolls with Yogurt Dip (v) €8.95

Braised O’Mahony’s Feather Blade of Beef with Smoked Gubbeen & Horseradish croquette €9.50

Chicken Liver Brûlée with Cashel Blue Cheese Ice Cream & Red Onion Compote (*) €8.95

Fish Platter (please see Specials Board/Ask Server for details) €14.00

Mezze Platter (vegetarian or wheat free option available) (*) €8.95

“The Mains are Savage Cabbage” (Sides are not included in the price)

Fish of the Evening from O’Connell’s of the English Market (see specials board) (*)

Ballyhoura Mountain Mushroom Risotto (v)(*) €15.95

O’Sullivan’s Roast Chicken Breast with Apple & Cranberry stuffing with Cumin Roast Carrots, & Thyme Jus €14.00

O’Mahony’s Collar of Bacon with Savoy Cabbage, Parsnip Puree & Spiced Walnuts (*)€15.95

8oz Irish Fillet Steak “Wellie Style” €23.50

“How’s about a side like”

House Cut Chips with Aioli (*) (v) €3.50

Garlic & Rosemary Rustic Potatoes (*)(v) €3.50

Onion Rings (v) €3.50

Smoked Gubbeen Mash (*) €3.50

Ballyhoura Mushrooms & Red Onion Confit (*) (v ) €3.50

House side salad (*)(v) €2.95

“Dessert?? Era go on so?!”

Flourless Chocolate Pudding with White Chocolate Cream (v) (*) €5.95

Mimi’s Cork Dry Gin & Tonic Dessert (*) €5.95

Fenn’s Quay Luxury Dark Chocolate Truffles (*) €3.00

Vanilla Carrageen Moss with Seasonal Fruit (v) €5.95

Irish Cheese Plate, No. 5 Fenn’s Quay Apple Chutney & Oat Cookies €7.95

We use local & Irish produce where possible, sourcing from the English Market and beyond. For further information on our suppliers and about the menu please ask your server.

Please bring to the attention of your server any allergies, many of our dishes can be altered to suit your dietary requirement, some dishes may contain traces of nuts.

* = Coeliac Friendly/Coeliac Friendly Bread Available
v = vegetarian

EARLY DINNER @ No. 5. Fenn’s Quay

3 Course Early Dinner for €23.00.Monday to Saturday 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm

Don’t’ feel like a dessert? Why not substitute it for a glass of house wine or a bottle of Local Craft Beer?? (€2.00 supplement on Craft Cider & Dungarvan Brewing Company)

“Have a lash of the starters”

Ÿ Beetroot & Cork Dry Gin Cured Salmon with Goatsbridge Trout Caviar & Mixed Leaves (*)

Ÿ Spiced Cauliflower & Potato Spring Rolls with Yogurt Dip (v)

Ÿ Poached Egg Colcannon with Rosscarbery Black Pudding & Hollandaise

Ÿ Crozier Blue Cheese Mousse, Roast Butternut Squash & Red Onion with Melba Toast (v)

“The Mains are Savage Cabbage”

Ÿ Fish of the Evening from O’Connell’s of the English Market (see specials board) (*)

Ÿ O’Mahony’s Collar of Bacon with Cabbage, Spiced Walnuts & Parsnip Purée (*)

Ÿ O’Mahony’s Feather Blade of Beef with Roast Root Vegetables & Dungarvan Stout Gravy

Ÿ Vegetarian Gnocchi with Spiced Tomato & Onion Sauce, Roast Vegetables & Spinach (v)

“Dessert?? Era go on so?!

Flourless Chocolate Pudding with White Chocolate Cream (v) (*)

Mimi’s Cork Dry Gin & Tonic Dessert (*)

Vanilla Carrageen Moss with Seasonal Fruit (v)

Fenn’s Quay Dark Chocolate Truffles (*)(v)

LUNCH

Lunch @ No. 5. Fenn’s Quay

For a variety of specials please see our specials board or ask your server

Fenn’s Quay Salad with toasted seeds, chickpeas & beetroot with honey mustard dressing (v) €5.95/€11.50

Fenn’s Quay Warm Chicken Salad with crispy potato skins & sweet chilli dressing (*) €8.95/€13.95

Fenn’s Quay Mediterranean Fish Soup (*) €8.95

Fish Platter (please see Specials Board or ask your server for details) €14.00

Lunch Suggestions

½ Soup & ½ Sandwich €5.00

½ Soup & ½ Sandwich with mineral/Barry’s Tea/Maher’s Coffee €7.00

Sandwiches on bread from the English Market (closed Sandwiches) €5.95

Tom Durcan’s Spiced Beef with Cabbage Pickle

The Olive Stall’s Toonsbridge Dairy Buffalo Mozzarella with Roast Peppers, Lettuce and Basil

O’Sullivan’s Chicken, Rosscarbery Bacon Dust, Lettuce, Tomato and Mayo

How’s about a side??

House Cut Chips with Aioli €3.50

Onion Rings €3.50
Smoked Gubbeen Mash €3.50
House Salad €2.95

Desserts

Scoop of Baldwin’s Vanilla Ice Cream with a shot of espresso €2.50

Flourless Chocolate Pudding with White Chocolate Cream(*) (v) €5.95

Mimi’s Cork Dry Gin & Tonic Dessert (*) €5.95

Fenn’s Quay Mince Pies with Cream €5.00

Vanilla Carrageen Moss & Seasonal Fruit (*)(v) €5.95

We use local & Irish produce where possible, sourcing from the English Market and beyond. For further information on our suppliers and about the menu please ask your server.

Please bring to the attention of your server any allergies, many of our dishes can be altered to suit your dietary requirement, some dishes may contain traces of nuts.

* = Coeliac Friendly/Coeliac Friendly Bread Available
v = vegetarian

 

SATURDAY BRUNCH

Saturday is Brunch Day @ No. 5 Fenn’s Quay

Check out our scones, pastries, banana bread & muffins on the display table €1.80

Granola with natural yogurt & fruit compote €3.00

Porridge with honey toasted seeds & raisins €3.00

Boiled eggs & Soldiers No. 5 Fenn’s Quay chunky toast, 2 eggs & Marmite (*)(v) €4.00

Homemade Beans on Toast Cannellini beans in tomato & vegetable sauce (chorizo optional) €5.00

Eggs Florentine or Eggs Benedict served on our No. 5 Fenn’s Quay homemade bread with hollandaise sauce (*) (v) €6.00

Fried Egg (poached if you prefer) with braised veggies & lentils (*) (v) €6.00

The West Corker Rosscarbery black or white pudding, red onion confit & smoked Gubbeen Cheese toasted on No. 5 Fenn’s Quay brown or white bread €5.95

McCarthy’s Buttermilk Pancakes with fresh fruit yogurt or crème fraÎche, strawberries in balsamic & black peppercorn syrup or rashers & maple syrup €6.00

No. 5 Fenn’s Quay Warm Chicken Salad with sweet chili dressing with crispy potato skins (*) €8.95/€13.95

How’s about a side??

Bacon/Rasher €1.00

Chorizo €1.00

Black or White Pudding €1.00

Egg €1.00
Smoked Salmon €2.00

See our Specials Menu for more details

We use local & Irish produce where possible, sourcing from the English Market and beyond. For further information on our suppliers and about the menu please ask your server.

Please bring to the attention of your server any allergies, many of our dishes can be altered to suit your dietary requirement, some dishes may contain traces of nuts.
* = Coeliac Friendly/Coeliac Friendly Bread Available
v = vegetarian

WEEKDAY BREAKFAST Good Morning

Breakfast Monday to Friday from 8.15 am to 11.30 am

No. 5 Fenn’s Quay Scones, Pastries €1.80

Fenn’s Quay Banana Bread, muffins €1.80

Paddy O’Granola with yogurt & fruit compote €3.00

Porridge with honey toasted seeds & a dust of cinnamon (v) €3.00

Eggs Florentine or Eggs Benedict (*) €6.00

The West Corker Rosscarbery black or white pudding, red onion confit & smoked Gubbeen Cheese toasted on No. 5 Fenn’s Quay brown or white bread €5.95

Beverages

Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice €3.50
Glass of Milk €1.95
Americano €2.20
Latte €2.40
Cappuccino €2.40
Herbal Tea (Chamomile, Earl Grey, Green, Mint) €2.35
Barry’s Tea €2.20
Macchiato €2.00
Fancy a Latte or Cappuccino refill €0.40

One Americano refill is on us, our way of saying thank you

We use local & Irish produce where possible, sourcing from the English Market and beyond. For further information on our suppliers and about the menu please ask your server.

Please bring to the attention of your server any allergies, many of our dishes can be altered to suit your dietary requirement, some dishes may contain traces of nuts.

* = Coeliac Friendly/Coeliac Friendly Bread Available
v = vegetarian

We use local produce from the best…

Bradleys’ Off Licence
North Main Street
Supplier of Stonewell &
Longueville Cider.
www.bradleysofflicence.ie

Ballyhoura Mushrooms
Mahon Market (Thursday),
Coal Quay Market (Saturday) &
Midleton Market (Saturday).
www.ballyhouramushrooms.ie

Carrigaline Cheese
Available at On The Pig’s Back,
The English Market & Douglas
Woollen Mills and other local retailers.
www.carrigalinecheese.com

Rosscarbery Recipes
Black pudding & rashers
Available at On The Pig’s Back, The
English Market & Douglas Woollen
Mills and other local retailers.
/rosscarberyrecipes

O’Mahonys Butchers
Ballea Lamb
Grand Parade entrance,
The English Market, Cork.
/omahonysbutchers

Durcans’ Meats
Spiced beef
The English Market, Cork.
www.tomdurcanmeats.ie

K. O’Connells
Fish Merchants &
Carrageen Moss
The English Market, Cork.

www.koconnellfish.com
Feirm Úr Buttermilk
John & Mary Cronin,
Belgooly, Co. Cork.
email: feirmur@gmail.com

Dungarvan Brewing
Company
Dungarvan Black Rock Stout
Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.
www.dungarvanbrewingcompany.com