Right in the centre of the city, in Cork's Huguenot district, Ursula and Robert Hales' restaurant is a lot bigger than it used to be when it was tucked into a small site around the corner, but this lively place is still a very popular restaurant and - as they don't take bookings - you may have to wait for a table.
An attractive old brick building with some tables outside for fine weather, it's bright and modern inside, with the main restaurant on the ground floor and a tapas bar/restaurant upstairs where an open kitchen allows you to watch the chefs at work.
Arriving guests are promptly seated as soon as a table becomes available, and offered extensive menus feature popular international dishes: salads, bruschetta, gourmet sandwiches, wraps and and pastas on the daytime menu with some overlap onto the evening menu which offers a smaller choice of more substantial dishes, notably seafood.
Real, uncomplicated food, fair pricing and a youthful atmosphere add up to an attractive package which is clearly popular with locals and visitors alike.
Service is friendly, although the pressure can sometimes show at busy times, and children are made welcome.
*Sister branch in Douglas Village East, Co Cork (Tel: 021 436 1613).
Seats 165 (private room, 80; outdoors, 24). Open Mon-Sat 8am-11pm, Sun 12-9.30pm; L 12-6pm, D 6-11pm; value D €21.95 Sun-Thu all night; house wine about €18. Children welcome (high chair, childrens menu, baby changing facilities); wheelchair access (public areas & toilets); free broadband wifi; air conditioning. Closed 25-26 Dec. MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
