In a city centre building that once housed firkins for the Cork Butter Exchange, Joe and Maura Carey have brought their Bakestone café, pantry and bakery, to Cork’s Perry Street, some twelve years after the café’s debut in Carrigtwohill.
In one of the largest dining rooms in Cork city, Bakestone, under the guidance of General Manager Neil Muscheidt and Head Chef Pat Kiely, continues to support local producers, not just through the menus but also in the pantry, which features a wide range of excellent Irish produce, as seen for many years in Carrigtwohill. In addition, many of their own specialities (jams, sauces, relishes, granola) feature in the pantry.
Bakestone, of course, has long been known for its delicious baked goods. Made daily by Head Baker Dave Kinsella and his team in the expanded bakery next to the Fota Retail Park café, the breads feature in many of the dishes on offer throughout the day. And then, of course, there are those tempting displays of more-ish pastries that catch your eye you as you arrive..
Breakfast is served from 8am (and until 3pm, no less) and you can look forward to an extensive range of options, including the full Bakestone Brekkie - or you can start the day with porridge or their special granola, a Blas na hEireann finalist. There's also a wide choice of egg dishes, pancakes, French Toast, sausage rolls, and more. And there's a story to the excellent coffee here too, whichj is roasted by Badger & Dodo, nearby in Fermoy.
If you're in for lunch (from 11.30 am), regulars on the menu include deep pan quiches and their sigmature salads, but also look out for the specials such as Crispy Portobello Mushroom with Bakestone Onion Marmalade, poached egg, balsamic and honey dressing, and crispy potatoes; a Fish Finger Bap with homemade pickles, tartare dauce, Baby Gem lettuce, and crispy potatoes; or Warm Chicken Salad with Smoked Cheese, creamy dressing & croutons is another popular choice. Many regulars drop in especially for the Warm Focaccia Sandwich (with garlic aioli, rocket, crispy smoked bacon & a fried egg, with crispy potato bites) and leave room for juicy deep-pan apple pie as well.
And, in between the breakfast and lunch menus, and into the afternoon, you can pop in and treat yourself to one of those amazing pastries or traybakes and a cuppa (Barry’s, naturally).
Kids are welcome, of course, and have their own menu. It offers plenty of wholesome options, most including items from their own bakery. Soup of the daywith Ham & Cheese Toastie, for example, or a Crispy Chicken & Bacon Bap. Ever-popular sausage and golden potato bites are a sure fire winner, and there's a kid-sized portion of Pancakes or French Toast, and a Margherita Pizza. And a healthy fruit bowl to finish - just the job.
