Housed in a 250-year old listed building, this is a bright, busy restaurant with a welcoming atmosphere and simple decor enlivened by striking modern paintings. Kate Lawlor (the head chef), her cousin Kevin Crowley and his partner Pennapa Wongsuwan recently bought Fenns Quay Restaurant from owners Eilish and Pat O'Leary and intend to continue in the same style.
Kate's lunch and dinner menus both offer plenty of interesting choices, including a number of vegetarian options (highlighted) and daily specials, including seafood sourced daily from the nearby English Market.
Carefully sourced ingredients are local where possible, especially meats, which are a point of pride) presented in a pleasing bistro style, with an emphasis on flavour.
This Cork restaurants specialities include char-grilled fillet steak "Wellie Style", an enduring favourite, which comes with roast flat cup mushrooms, red onion confit, house cut potato chips and a choice of sauces (béarnaise and peppercorn).
A new wine list was in preparation at the time of the Guide's visit but the policy is to offer variety at reasonable prices, with several by the glass - good value is a feature of both food and drink.
A comfortable outdoor seating area makes a pleasant extension to the restaurant, and recent renovations have enabled wheelchair access to the restaurant but not to toilets, unfortunately, as it is a listed building.
Seats 60 (outdoor seating, 10); Open all day Mon-Sat 8am-10pm; L 12-3, D 6-10. 2/3 course value D €22.50/27.50; à la carte also available. House wine €20. Children welcome; air conditioning. On street parking can be difficult during the day, but is easy to find after 6.30. Closed Sun, 25 Dec, bank hols. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
