Cork City newcomer Paladar is Bar of the Year!

 

2023 Bar of the Year Awards Winners Announced!

Paladar in Co. Cork was named Bar of the Year at this year's prestigious Bar of The Year Awards ceremony which took place in the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road. Celebration time for Paladar and Cask

Amongst the galaxy of contenders, the most exceptional bars have been recognized and celebrated for their extraordinary contributions to the hospitality industry. These establishments have elevated the art of mixology, ambiance, and service, captivating patrons with unforgettable experiences.

After rigorous evaluation and deliberation by an esteemed panel of industry experts only the best in the industry were crowned winners. Amongst many other winners on the night, Bar No 23. at The Merrion Hotel in Co.Dublin took home Gold for "Five Star Hotel Bar of the Year" Sponsored by London Essence, while BAR 1661 took home Gold for "Innovative Bar of the Year", Sponsored by Istil 38.

The winners were announced on Monday, the 21st of August at a gala awards ceremony hosted by Anton Savage at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road. Montenotte's Ray Kelleher has an even bigger smile than usual!

Bar of the Year 2023 Winners

5 Star Hotel Bar of the Year Gold Winner - Bar No 23. at The Merrion Hotel, Co.Dublin Silver Winner - The Courtyard Bar at Carton House, A Fairmont Managed Hotel, Co.Kildare Bronze Winner - The Sidecar Bar at The Westbury, Co.Dublin Sponsored by London Essence Bar Food of the Year Gold Winner - Blake's Bar Galway, Co.Galway Silver Winner- The Blue Haven Kinsale, Co.Cork Bronze Winner - The Hideout, Co. Kildare Best Bar To Watch The Match Gold Winner - Woolshed Baa & Grill Cork, Co.Cork Silver Winner - Dignam’s Bar, Co. Monaghan Bronze Winner - Buskers On The Ball, Co. Dublin Sponsored by Sky Business Best Designed Bar / Inside Space Gold Winner - The Montenotte Hotel, Co. Cork Silver Winner - The Gables, Co. Dublin Bronze Winner - Paladar, Co. Cork Best Live Entertainment Bar Gold Winner - The Porter House, Co. Mayo Silver Winner - The Blue Haven Kinsale, Co. Cork Bronze Winner - O’Donoghue Public House, Co. Kerry Best Newcomer Gold Winner - Paladar, Co. Cork Silver Winner - Kodiak, Co. Dublin Bronze Winner - The Gables, Co. Dublin Best Value Pub Gold Winner - Oasis Bar, Co. Donegal Silver Winner - The Black Forge Inn, Co. Dublin City Bar of the Year Gold Winner - Left Bank, Co. Kilkenny Silver Winner - Lemon & Duke, Co. Dublin Bronze Winner - The Front Door Pub, Co. Galway Sponsored by Schweppes Cocktail Bar of the Year Gold Winner - BAR 1661, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - Paladar, Co. Cork Bronze Winner - 9 Below, Co. Dublin Sponsored by Maker's Mark Craft Bar of the Year Gold Winner - Caribou, Co. Galway Silver Winner - Lock 13 Brewpub, Co. Kildare Bronze Winner - Impala, Co. Cork Gastro Bar of the Year Gold Winner - The Dew Drop Inn & Brewhouse, Co. Kildare Silver Winner - Monks, Co. Clare Bronze Winner - Russells Seafood Bar, Doolin, Co. Clare Sponsored by Classic Drinks Gin Bar of the Year Gold Winner - Andy’s Bar Monaghan, Co. Monaghan Silver Winner - Tigh Nora, Co. Galway Bronze Winner - HYDE Bar & Gin Parlour, Co. Galway Sponsored by Xin Gin Hotel Bar of the Year Gold Winner - HYDE Bar, Co. Galway Silver Winner - The Montenotte Hotel, Co. Cork Bronze Winner - Dunes Bar & Bistro at Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa, Co. Cork Sponsored by Tia Maria Innovative Bar of the Year Gold Winner - BAR 1661, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - Nevins Newfield Inn, Co. Mayo Bronze Winner - Cask, Co. Cork Sponsored by Istil 38 Late Bar / Nightclub of the Year Gold Winner - 37 Dawson Street, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - r.i.o.t. Dublin, Co. Dublin Bronze Winner - 1314 at Jerry Flannerys, Co. Limerick Local Bar of the Year Gold Winner - Dignam’s Bar, Co. Monaghan Silver Winner - Peadars Bar Moate, Co. Westmeath Bronze Winner - The Railway Tavern, Fahan, Co. Donegal Sponsored by New Payment Innovation Limited Outside Space of the Year Gold Winner - House Dublin, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - Kenny’s of Lucan, Co. Dublin Bronze Winner - Nevins Newfield Inn, Co. Mayo Outstanding Customer Service Award Gold Winner - The Landmark, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - Russell’s Saloon Gin Emporium, Co. Louth Bronze Winner - Harrigan’s Bar & Grill, Co. Kildare Sponsored by Cointreau Restaurant Bar of the Year Gold Winner - FIRE Steakhouse & Bar, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - The Club At Goffs, Co. Kildare Bronze Winner - Mama Yo, Co. Dublin Sponsored by Coole Swan Tourist Bar of the Year Gold Winner - The Brazen Head, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - The Locke, Co. Limerick Bronze Winner - Brass Fox Wicklow, Co. Wicklow Sponsored by QuickTips Traditional Bar of the Year Gold Winner - The Stag’s Head, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - Gracie’s Bar, Co. Sligo Bronze Winner - The Brazen Head, Co. Dublin Visitor Attraction of the Year Gold Winner - Roe & Co Distillery, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - Lock 13 Brewpub, Co. Kildare Bronze Winner - The Black Forge Inn, Co. Dublin Sponsored by Excel Recruitment Whiskey Bar Of The Year Gold Winner - The Shelbourne Bar Cork, Co. Cork Silver Winner - Sonny Molloy’s Irish Whiskey Bar, Co. Galway Bronze Winner - Costigan’s Pub, Co. Cork Sponsored by Roe & Co Pub Group of the Year Gold Winner - Nola Clan Sponsored by Alliance Ireland Staff Personality of the Year Ian Murray Bar Manager of the Year Conor Moloney People's Choice Award Dublin - The Black Forge, Co.Dublin Leinster - The Hideout, Co.Kildare Munster - The Locke, Co.Limerick Connacht / Ulster - McHughs Bar, Co.Leitrim Overall Winner - The Locke, Co.Limerick Judges Choice Winner - Jimmy Rabbittes Gail Cotter Special Recognition Award Winner - Mary Kerrigan, Clayton Hotel Burlington Road Bar of the Year Winner - Paladar Sponsored by Licensing World

One Night Only - A Taste of The Caribbean in Cork. Paladar x Lil Portie Thursday, 8th June

press release

One Night Only - A Taste of The Caribbean in Cork 

Paladar x Lil Portie Thursday, 8th June, Paladar

Paladar welcomes Lil Portie to Cork Thursday 8th June, for one night only. Diners can expect a summery fusion of exotic flavours and Irish produce including dishes like Salt Fish and Chips -  a Jamaican-style salted cod fritters with plantain chips and Caribbean tartare sauce, Jerk Panca Pork Belly with Peruvian Panca Glaze and a signature Lil Portie Ceviche, a fresh citrus cured fish dish with Amarillo chilli tiger milk. 

Nico Reynolds describes his Lil Portie cooking as ‘zesty and spiced West Indian cooking with flavours from Latin America with a familiar Irish accent, drawing influence from Ireland, the Caribbean, Argentina, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia and Cuba.’ 

This will be the first guest takeover at Paladar since it opened last October. Paladar’s co-owner Andy Ferreira said, “I'm so thrilled to have Nico as our first chef take over. His style of cooking and his approach to food is so refreshing. For one night only, our guests can experience a night of vibrant food, great music, and banging cocktails.”

Nico said, “It’s my first time cooking as Lil Portie for a while and I couldn’t be more excited to pair up with the team at Paladar, and just as excited with the prospect of cooking in Cork. We’ll be focusing on small plates paired with world-class cocktails using different influences from around the Caribbean and South America using the best of Irish ingredients.” 

Nico first founded Lil Portie in 2018 bringing mouth-watering dishes to Rathmines in Dublin. He has hosted RTE One’s ‘All Fired Up’, a show based on Lil Portie Caribbean-inspired barbeque dishes, and has also appeared on many international TV shows with his unique style of cooking. 

Located at 6 Bridge Street, Cork City, Paladar is a vibrant and eclectic cocktail bar seating up to 65 people. It features art and sculpture from renowned Latin American and Irish artists, including a spectacular glass installation by Glanmire-based Eoin Turner Studio, with plants from Cork Rooftop Farm. The food is just as exciting, with small plates inspired by Caribbean Islands, Central and South America. 

Tickets are €15 per person and include a welcome cocktail. Booking is necessary as places are limited. To book email  info@paladar.ie 

Keep up to date with the latest news by following Paladar on social at @PaladarCork

 

 

Paladar in Cork Announced As Top 10 Best New International Cocktail Bar in Europe at ‘Tales of The Cocktail’ 2023 Spirited Awards®

Paladar in Cork Announced As Top 10 Best New International Cocktail Bar in Europe at ‘Tales of The Cocktail’ 2023 Spirited Awards®

Paladar in Cork has been announced as a 2023 Spirited Awards Regional Top 10 Honoree for Best New Cocktail Bar for Europe.

Cristobal at work

Paladar is a Latin American-inspired cocktail bar and kitchen with a rotating menu of classic and signature cocktails based around rum, cachaça, agave and pisco. The stunning room is vibrant, full of energy and fun as would be expected from the team who brought us Cask on MacCurtain Street. The space is awash with Latin American art, music, and photography, including a dramatic glass installation from Eoin Turner Design.  Paladar’s bar manager Oisín Wolfe, who is a finalist in this year's Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of The Year curates the cocktail menu. 

Paladar’s owner Andy Ferreira, says, "Tales of the Cocktail is the Oscars of the bar world. Paladar getting nominated as one of the best new Cocktail bars to open in Europe this year is absolutely mind-blowing. Ireland has a tradition of punching above its weight and this is the second year in a row we have Irish bars featured on this global list. We put together an amazing team in the bar and kitchen with the aim of bringing something new and unique to Cork and this is only the beginning”.

Pisco Sour

Since its founding in 2007, the Spirited Awards, run by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, have become some of the industry’s most sought-after awards, celebrating global excellence in the drinks industry and recognising professionals, organisations, and establishments shaping the cocktail community worldwide. The judging panel includes respected bartenders, bar owners, educators, and writers from across the globe who draw on their years of experience to evaluate nominees from far and wide to ensure that the Spirited Awards are inclusive and represent the breadth and diversity of the global drinks industry.

The ultimate winners of the 2023 Spirited Awards will be announced at a ceremony on July 27th in New Orleans later this year.

press release 

Bienvenida A Paladar. ¡Viva América! In Bridge Street

Bienvenida A Paladar

¡Viva América! In Bridge Street

The team behind Cask have launched a new colourful venture in nearby Bridge Street, brightening up a southern corner with the food, drink and music of Latin America. ¡Viva América! ¡Viva Paladar!

Cauliflower

Co-owner Andy Ferreira (above) is famous for his innovative cocktails at Cask and that continues at Paladar but with a Latin touch of course. 

You have to try at least one. I settled on a longer glass, titled the Tropical Itch, a smooth and fruity one with Dingle Vodka, Bacardi 4 Rum, Myers Rum, Mango, Lime and Angostura Bitters.

Tropical Itch

The wine list is short but full of quality and you need to check it out, particularly the three from Chile that make up the red bottle list, as two of them were in my Top Four for 2020. One is the Pedro Parra “Vinista” Itata Chile, a young beauty from ancient Pais vines. Parra is also involved in the second Clos des Fous Cabernet Sauvignon from Itata. The renowned winemaker Aurelio Montes is the man behind the Montes “Outer Limits” Cinsault  also from the Itata. Bring a friend or two and enjoy one of these.

Check out their Cab Sauv!

There are two reds and two whites available by the glass. Both the reds come from Argentina and one, by Las Hormigas (it means the ants, but don’t let that put you off!), features the Bonarda grape that is widely planted in the country as is the Malbec, also available in glass and also by Los Hormigas.

Another Argentina associated grape Torrontes is blended with Riesling in the beautiful Amalaya wine and the Sanama Sauvignon Blanc, this from Chile, is the other option by glass.

No shortage of spirits of course in the colourful bar with the friendly staff eager to help and that is true of all the staff we met in the comfortable 55 seater venue. You may of course get up and dance when the music plays at the weekend.

Be good!

Back to the cocktails! By chance, we met Andy as we arrived and he took us through them. The left hand side of the card features names that many of us would be familiar with such as Mojito, Daiquiri and Margarita. 

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The Latin American influence, where I found my Itch, increases on the right hand side with rum and mescal featuring more often in innovative drinks that come with exotic names (mostly) such as Mescalero (Los Javis Espadin Mezcal, Aperol, Lillet Blanc, Vermouth) and Plantation Café Swizzle (Plantation 5 Year Rum, Coconut Cream, Coffee).

Prefer something simpler? Like a beer? Well, no hay problema. They’ve got 45 Dias Mexican Lager at the top of the list that also features Heineken and ciders by Stonewell and Johnny Fall Down along with a non-alcoholic hoppy beer from Brooklyn Brewery. There’s also an Estrella Daura Damm Gluten Free beer available.

Beef skewers

And, speaking of gluten free, I noticed that most if not all the food is GF. The short and interesting menu ranges from snacks (Toasted Mixed Nuts to Empanadas) to small plates (eg Ceviche, Tacos El Pastor and more).

Pork Belly

We tried a few of the Small Plates. Of course, we did! I had gathered that the Colifor was proving popular here and it is indeed a good one: Roasted Cauliflower, Green mole and grated Brazil nuts. As many of you know, moles are a variety of strong flavoured traditional sauces and marinades from Mexican cuisine.

Do you like Pork and Spuds? Sounds better here as Cerdo Con Papas. Full description is slowly cooked pork belly, molasses glaze, potatoes and Spiced Avocado. Tasty!

At this point we should probably have ordered dessert but instead decided to share the Anticuchos (Slightly smoked beef skewers, Corn Salsa and garlic oil). After one delicious skewer each, enhanced by the Salsa, dessert was forgotten, at least until the next visit!

More on Paladar (inc. contacts, opening times & menus) here.

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Andy Ferreira, Co-Owner and Oisin Wolfe, Bar Manager, Paladar, Cork (This Pic: Miki Barlok)

Paladar, A New Latin American Cocktail Bar and Restaurant, Opens Today in Cork City

Paladar, A New Latin American Cocktail Bar and Restaurant, Opens Today in Cork City

 

Bridge Street in Cork City is set to welcome Paladar, a Latin American-inspired cocktail bar and restaurant, opening today, Monday 3rd October.  

 

Paladar is the second premises from the team behind Cask, the multi-award-winning cocktail bar and restaurant on Cork’s MacCurtain Street that's known for its seasonal-led cocktail and food menus.  

 

Latin American spirits like Rum, Cachaça, Tequila, Mezcal and Pisco will form the backbone of the cocktail menu at Paladar which will include classics like the Margarita, Pisco Sour and Caipirinha. The team also plans to revisit some lesser-known Latin American classics such as the Night Cap, a mix of Bolivian gin, Cognac, house-made Creme de Cacao and lime.

 

Paladar’s co-owner Andy Ferreira (above) is excited to bring something new to Cork, saying, “Paladar is an homage to Latin American culture. The vibrance and energy found there is so infectious and it’s epitomised in their food and drinks culture. In Cuba, a Paladar is a small, family-run restaurant which offers a unique insight into Cuban hospitality; the name comes from the Spanish word for palate. Our goal is to present an ever-evolving cocktail and food menu, letting seasonality and availability guide us along that path.” 

 

The food menu consists of small plates from the Caribbean Islands, Central and South America, with sample dishes including: Cured mackerel with raspberry aguachile and green apple; deep-fried beef empanadas; Picanha anticucho, salsa Creola and grilled sweet corn; and  monkfish with moqueca sauce, seasonal vegetables, coriander and biquinho chilli.   

 

As with Latin American culture, music will play an integral part at Paladar with DJs taking to the decks at weekends, offering great music and laid-back vibes.  And in good news for Cork coffee lovers, Paladar is collaborating with SOMA Coffee Company to serve unique Latin American coffee blends, kicking off with a delicious Guatemalan roast, expertly roasted in Cork. 

Plantation Cafe Swizzle

 

Located at 6 Bridge Street, Cork City, Paladar has undergone a dramatic refurbishment, resulting in a vibrant yet eclectic interior seating up to 65 people. It also features art and sculpture from renowned Latin American and Irish artists, including a spectacular glass installation by Glanmire-based Eoin Turner Studio, with plants from Cork Rooftop Farm. 

 

Paladar is open from Monday - Friday from 12 noon til late and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am (brunch served at weekends). 

 

Paladar, 6 Bridge Street, Cork. Walk-ins are welcome or book online at www.paladar.ie

Press release./ Pics by Miki Barlok