Jacques. Encore. A warm welcome. Excellent food.

 Jacques. Encore.

Crab

Jacques, now into its fifth decade, continues to set the gold standard for Cork restaurants. Our visit last week was a delightful confirmation that it remains as exceptional and reliable as ever.

Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by the

restaurant’s younger generation. We eagerly perused a menu brimming with both small and large plates, along with an impressive wine list.

Orange Gru-Vee

Jacques has been offering wines on tap for quite some time now. As they explain, “Not only are the wines kept at the optimum temperature, they are also always beautifully fresh, just as the winemaker intended!” This innovative system reduces spoilage, thanks to the kegs, and also cuts down on packaging and transport costs.

We enjoyed a gorgeous orange Grûner Veltliner from the tap, a perfect example of the benefits of this system. Of course, Jacques also boasts a large selection of wines not on tap.

For my meal, I took a culinary journey to Castletownbere, beginning with a superb Castletownbere Crab Salad, adorned with Strawberries, Balsamic, and Black Pepper. This seasonal dish has seen many iterations over the years, and the 2024 summer version is as delightful as ever.

Next, I enjoyed the Seared Castletownbere Scallops, accompanied by Cauliflower, Green Beans, Samphire & Tomato, Pickled Shallots, Almonds, Soft Herbs, and Rosti. This dish, with its long title, lived up to the promise, delivering a plate packed with incredible flavours and textures.

CL also started with a seafood delight, the Mussels Escabeche, served with Roast Squash, Radish, Purslane, Hazelnut Crust, and Salsa. This unique and delicious take on mussels was a hit.

Interestingly, Aishling Moore, a chef who works just down the street from Jacques, recently published her first book, Whole Catch, which features a recipe for Escabeche. It looks enticingly straightforward, and I might just give it a try soon!

Scallops

Jacques has also been showcasing Schnitzel recently. Unlike the pork versions we've tried elsewhere, Jacques' version features chicken, paired with Caesar Salad, Bacon, Tomato, and Rustic Potatoes. CL found it delightful, rounding off a meal that left both of us thoroughly satisfied.

Jacques, located at 23 Oliver Plunkett St and 9 Phoenix Street in Cork, offers a warm welcome whether you come in through the front or back door.

Opening Hours: Tuesday - Saturday from 5pm
Contact: 021 427 7387
Instagram: jacques_restaurant