An excellent collection of 18th- and 19th-century landscapes is housed in this fine 1724 building and its large modern extension. And this is also home to the Crawford Gallery Café, one of Cork city's favourite informal eating places.An outpost of Ballymaloe House, Shanagarry, it is currently run by Jean Manning and Ivan Whelan.
Menus in this striking mustard white room reflect the Ballymaloe philosophy that food is precious and should be handled carefully, so freshly prepared dishes are made from natural local ingredients and, at its best, a meal here can be a real treat.
Except for a few specialities too popular to take off (such as their spinach & mushroom pancakes), the menu changes weekly but the style - a balanced mixture of timeless country house fare and contemporary international dishes featuring carefully sourced meats, fish from Ballycotton and the freshest of seasonal vegetables - remains reassuringly constant.
Substantial dishes, such as classic sirloin steak and chips, with béarnaise sauce - or a big vegetarian option like Mediterranean bean stew with coriander & basmati rice - are generally reliable and make a real meal, while the home-made pickles, relishes, chutneys and preserves are delicious details. And, for a lighter bite, the home baking is always enjoyable.
A short well-balanced wine list offers some half bottles.
Conference/banqueting: available for private parties, corporate entertaining, lectures etc in evenings; details on application.
Crawford Gallery Cafe : Seats 65; no reservations (except for groups 6+); toilets wheelchair accessible. Open Mon-Sat, 9.30-3pm, B 9.30-11.30am, L 12-3pm; à la carte; house wine €22. Service discretionary. Closed Sun, bank hols, 10 days over Christmas. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
