With its weekly farmers’ market (one of Ireland’s best) and an enviable range of shops and restaurants catering to all tastes, Midleton has become a top destination for food lovers - a growing number of whom beat a path through the gated archway off the long main street, to The Courtyard and Kevin and Réidín Aherne's acclaimed restaurant, Sage.
Although centred on a beautifully renovated stone building (and influenced by the best of traditional values), Sage is modern through and through and chef Kevin has proved a master of reinvention at this fascinating venue, constantly questioning, developing, and recreating the culinary dream.
But, while the restaurant itself has been through several manifestations - most recently morphing from a fine dining venue with daytime café, to 'a proper neighbourhood restaurant' with a shop and takeaway - what has never changed is the ethos behind it. Local produce has always been at the heart of this lively venue, where the philosophy goes way beyond crediting producers and suppliers - they are central to everything and Kevin has consistently drawn them right into the structure, most famously through his 12 Mile Menus.
Having moved away from formal dining to high quality affordable fare that can be enjoyed every day, the best of local meat and fish is cooked on a chargrill and there are daily roasts, as well as vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
While SAGE Restaurant offers an evening à la carte menu in the Garden Room, an attractive heated canopy area provides plenty of comfortable outdoor dining space and, in the former Greenroom, a food store Sage 2Go offers 'pots, pies & sides' for sale (average mains €7.50-9.75), and Click&Collect ready meals from about €4.20-25 with Family Specials serving 4-5 at €40. (Also available from selected vendors around Cork including O’Keeffe’s Food Store of Wellington Road Cork and NeigbourFood Markets in Midleton & Cork.) A range of terrific hampers featuring local produce and items made on-site is also offered online from €60 to €200.
Quite the place to meet and eat, or collect.
