Buzz On Beasley Street
A new foodie paradise in the heart of Cork
Maldron Hotel South Mall invests in city’s Outdoor Dining Scheme
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Delighted to get the chance, last night, to try out Cork's latest outdoor dining area in a very comfortable set-up in Beasley Street, just outside the entrance to the Maldron Hotel, South Mall. Beasley Street and South Mall are just two of the streets bounding this large and unobtrusive hotel in the city centre and many, like me, are surprised to learn that it has added some 163 modern spacious fully air-conditioned bedrooms to the city's accommodation stock.
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| Aperol Spritz |
Soon we had excellent cocktails in hand and those that we enjoyed from the list on offer were the Elderflower Spritz (Elderflower liqueur, mint, Prosecco & Soda Water) and the Aperol Spritz (Aperol, Prosecco & Soda Water).
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| Elderflower Spritz |
Plenty of time to sip and chat as the music played and then we made our way out into the open air and our comfortable seats in Beasley Street which seems to have everything in place for outdoor dining and you can see why Paul and Donna are expecting quite a buzz in the days and nights ahead.
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| Roastery |
And the food, from the hotel's Grain & Grill Restaurant and Bar menu, will feature as it did last evening. The kitchen were certainly put through their paces and came up trumps. Easy enough to find good produce in Ireland these days and the team here illustrated with quite a few samples that they are well up to the task of enhancing the dishes with the judicious use of spices and sauces.
Red and white wines were also available. Of course, there is a full bar so regular diners will have a great choice including some excellent non alcoholic drinks as well.
Our dining began with a trio of mini starters of which my favourite was probably the prawn (not that I left any of the three behind!). No rush at all as the relaxed evening progressed to the generous samples, three again, of the main courses: beef, chicken (in a slider) and fish, all every enjoyable indeed.
And the cheese course, led by the marvellous Cashel Blue, maintained the same impressive standard and that included the chutney!
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| Say cheese! |
Another excellent addition to the range of outdoor dining areas in the city. Be sure and put it on your list.
Press release
Maldron Hotel South Mall invests in city’s Outdoor Dining Scheme
Cork’s most centrally located four-star hotel has played a key role in helping to transform Beasley Street into a stylish al fresco dining area and underline the city’s position as a top foodie destination.
Maldron Hotel South Mall Cork City is now officially offering the perfect outdoor dining experience daily, with its tasty Grain & Grill Restaurant and Bar menu served from early morning to dinner. The menu includes a wide range of stand-out Maldron dishes with a local twist, from delicious light bites to signature burgers and Italian stone baked pizzas.
With capacity for outdoor dining up to 180 people, this is an ideal spot just off South Mall and Oliver Plunkett Street where diners can also enjoy the full bar menu featuring delicious cocktails, wine and beer, as well as barista prepared coffee from the hotel’s very own Red Bean Roastery coffee shop.
The hotel has invested €80,000 to bring this al fresco offering to life, alongside Cork City Council who contributed €120,000 through Failte Ireland’s Outdoor Dining Scheme.
The investment has helped transform Beasley Street into a haven for outdoor diners and social butterflies, come rain or shine, with the introduction of parasols, awnings, giant umbrellas, windbreaks, heaters, festoon lighting and planters. The street has also been resurfaced with original cobblestones.
Adding to the vibrancy of the area, Ardú street artist, Peter Martin has also been commissioned to complete murals on the street and these are due for completion at the end of August.
Maldron Hotel South Mall General Manager, Robert McCarthy said the new streetscape has added a new dimension to the area, with Beasley Street the perfect place to enjoy a meal outdoors on the banks of the River Lee.
He said: “The street is a really welcoming place for al fresco diners. The past few summers have really opened people’s eyes to the joys and benefits of outdoor dining. It’s fair to say the Irish weather, even in the summer, can be a little unpredictable which sometimes puts people off eating outdoors but with heaters, umbrellas and awnings we are now fully equipped to deal with anything Mother Nature throws our way.
“At Maldron Hotel South Mall, we take great pride in sourcing our food and drink from our brilliant local producers and I think being able to enjoy our menu outdoors adds an extra local dimension to the experience.
“Cork is a special place and the sights and sounds of this city are something to be savoured. Our hotel is a wonderful place to be but sometimes it’s nice to enjoy our great outdoors and now our guests can do both.
“We are proud to be able to make such a large investment in helping cement Cork’s position as a favourite foodie destination and when more people visit the city from near and far to see what the buzz is all about, we will be happy to welcome them.”
The investment from Dalata Hotel Group Plc, operators of Maldron Hotels, is an important part of a wider €1.3million investment in Cork streets by Failte Ireland and delivered by the city’s council.
Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Colm Kelleher said the new installations at Beasley Street will add to Cork’s reputation as a bucket list destination for foodies.
He said: “Thanks to the Maldron Hotel South Mall for really embracing this initiative. The investment in Beasley Street will not only enhance the immediate area but will also encourage more people to visit the city.
“Places like the English Market already attract food lovers from all over the world to Cork, plus we have some amazing artisans producing world class food and drink bolstered by fantastic food experiences.
“It is fantastic to see hotels like Maldron Hotel South Mall providing not only a wonderful stay but also a memorable dining experience.
The 163-bedroom Maldron Hotel South Mall is situated in the heart of Cork’s shopping and entertainment district with some of the finest eateries and attractions on its doorstep. It is the ideal base for an action packed trip to the city or a getaway with friends.
To find out more about Maldron Hotel South Mall Cork City visit www.maldronhotelsouthmall.com
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