Owned and operated by Richard Gavin (from Mayo) and Laura Sureda (from Barcelona), this unusual restaurant is just west of The English Market that is the source of so many of the ingredients used, and it is a rotisserie concept, offering only the highest quality Irish produce. All of the menus revolve around the rotisserie and they are open from breakfast to bedtime.
It's an interesting venue in an old building - apparently a medieval lane ran through here - that has been beautifully redeveloped to create a restaurant over two floors (and with a number of private dining options). Part of the ground floor ceiling has been removed to spectacular effect, with the buzz of happy diners on two floors mingling atmospherically - and there is even a skylight garden full of succulents. It's an impressive setting by any standards and visitors won't be surprised to find that it has been the winner of a local architectural award.
Porridge, pancakes and the Full Jack, and much more, feature on the breakfast menu. That Full Jack (O’Mahony’s Sausages, Rotisserie Ham, Jack McCarthy’s Black Pudding, eggs any style, tomato, mushroom, toast) could keep you going for the day. Or you can drop in at lunch time for salads and sandwiches, or something from the Rotisserie. Rotisserie breast and leg of West Cork Chicken, for example, is 24 hour brined with thyme & lemon and, served with home-made chicken jus, it explains very tastily why meat from the Rotisserie is so desirable.
With one of the owners from Barcelona, you'd expect something Catalan on the menu - and indeed, among the starters, you’ll find the very flavoursome house salted cod “banyuls” catalan style cod fritters, flaked salted cod, fried crisp exterior, soft pillow centre, and lime chantilly... But the Rotisserie is the centre of attention and comes into its own in the mains. Richard and Laura support local and, for the really hungry or anyone who just wants a treat, the Rotisserie Sirloin Steak is a must. From a top city butcher, Eoin O’Mahony, it is carved from a whole rotisserie roasted sirloin and comes with red wine braised shallots, mixed salad, hand cut fries and béarnaise sauce. The West Cork Chicken features again at dinner too, and there are plenty of other temptations, including porchetta, lamb shank and roasted ham hock with honey mustard glaze.
There are a couple of salads and a risotto on the menu also, but don't overlook the Cheese and Fortifieds Menu which offers some amazing Irish, Spanish and French cheeses and great wines to match. And there are also tasting boards, and a terrific drinks menu - a well chosen keenly priced wine list (mainly from Curious Wines), local beers and ciders (including 8 Degrees and the lovely Johnny Fall Down) and a great choice of spirits, including Dingle Gin and Vodka, Gunpowder Gin, lots of Irish (and international) whiskey. And they have their own mixologist here, so it will be be hard to resist trying one or two of the many cocktails too.
All this plus lovely, warm service and good value - definitely a place to know about when visiting Cork.
