Lucinda O'Sullivan's Ireland

About The Restaurant

Kay Harte’s Farmgate Café is a fantastic place, an absolute legend in the Irish foodie arena. Apart from really wholesome fresh tasty food, there is the unrivalled atmosphere of being here in the real Cork, eating real food on the gallery looking down on the comings and goings of the famous English Market. There is a self service and a more formal waitress service area. Do however, make sure you book if going to the “sit down” area because you are competing with the regulars - elderly parish priests in the cardi, bank managers, girlettes weekly meet ups, and intermingling tourists. I am worn out listening to phrases like “local produce” and “real food” and “organic food” being tripped off the tongue by well known foodies and scribes never mind the picking of apples in the orchards of England and Ireland. They must all have read Alice Taylor’s great book “To school through the fields”. I sat in the café of one big house forever proclaiming their own produce watching the big delivery van bring in the lettuces and tomatoes from Holland. However if you want really good fresh, wholesome and flavoursome, nostalgia food, the Farmgate Cafe at the English Market is your mark, the real thing. Kay Harte buys her food downstairs from all the local producers you can be sure of the best fresh seasonal produce. The spuds we ate were something else – big full blown flowery jacket potatoes, which I haven’t seen for years. There is a very good Fish Chowder; Rock Oysters from Oysterhaven, and a Smoked and fresh fish platter. The Mammy favourites of Shepherd’s Pie; Lambs Liver & bacon; Market Corned Beef or Mutton, or even Tripe and Onions with Drisheen – oh yes and that childhood carbo delight of Macaroni Cheese. Irish Stew was delicious with chunks of lamb, white turnip, carrots and celery, and with the spuds mushed and a glass of bainne was heaven. A spinach, Gubbeen, and smoked tomato tart was superb with beautiful salads, and breads. Wines are with a number by the glass, are reasonable and well chosen, and Bauget Jouette Champagne is available if you want to splash out. Open for breakfast, and with delicious cakes and puds – Bread & Butter Pudding, Banoffi Pie, Seasonal Crumble, the Farmgate for good wholesome fair and atmosphere is unbeatable. There is also live piano music on some days………

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