The Farmgate
The Farmgate, the ever popular Cork restaurant, so well
situated in the English Market, was the venue for lunch last Friday. A splendid
venue and a splendid lunch!
Patrons were queuing to get
in – order and sit in the balcony on right, sit and order in the dining room to
the left – but no problem to Rebecca and Mirco and the other staff as they calmly
directed customers to their seats and their meals to the tables.
The food is sourced
locally. And so too is much of the drink. You can, of course, buy wines (European only) by the
glass, carafe and bottle (at a good price) but nowadays you also have the opportunity
of sipping a local beer such as 8 Degrees or Dungarvan. On the day, I went for
a cider, a very nice one too by Longueville House (in Mallow).
The starter also came from
North Cork: the Old Millbank Organic Smoked Salmon (always excellent) with a mixed leaf salad and
dill crème fraiche. Before that we had been nibbling some gorgeous
breads.
On then to the mains. My pick
here was the Savoury Tart of the Day: Mushrooms with Crozier Blue (the sheep’s
cheese by the same people that make Cashel Blue), served with salad leaves,
potato salad, butter beans, and jacket potatoes. Quite a plateful, full of
quality ingredients, all for €12.50.
The other mains, Catch of the
Day, was also delicious. This was the Grilled Plaice with tomato salsa, gratin
potatoes and a gorgeous side dish of cabbage and peas (Gorgeous? Yes!). This pair of happy campers skipped the
dessert but did enjoy two excellent coffees.
So what is it about the
Farmgate, still drawing in lines of customers? I think this paragraph from
their website is key to the success: Farmgate Café only uses beef, lamb, chicken,
eggs and vegetables produced in Ireland. We place great value on the high
quality production systems of our trusted suppliers. We also support organic
production where possible. We work closely therefore, with Market traders and
local producers to bring tasty, affordable and nourishing food to the table.
And there is more,
encouraging stuff, on their policy here
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