COSTA COFFEE Miserable morning in Blackpool but Costa Coffee…read morewere doing a brisk trade there. And why not? The place is central, to the Retail Centre, and the mugs are big, their medium as generous as other's large. It tastes fine too and the seating is comfortable.

POYNTON - RHINECREW COOKERY "Oonagh Poynton is a truly fine…read morecook....she is as expert with the sweet as she is with the savoury." So says the Bridgestone Guide (2010). Came across a selection of her cakes and jams at the Mahon Point Farmers Market recently and helped myself to a jar of her thick-cut marmalade. It went down a treat (well not all of it -yet) with some white bread from the Natural Foods Bakery and I must say I was very happy with the purchase, wrapped very nicely indeed by Mr Poynton. Being from Youghal, you will find her products at local markets such as Lismore and the West Waterford Food festival and her cookery classes at Rhinecrew are also quite a draw. The marmalade has broken the ice for me and I'll be on the look-out for her products in the future. Just one little puzzle: she is generally referred to as Oonagh on the net and in the Guide but hubby told me the U on the jam-jar was for Una.

This is not a distillery tour. It is an education in Irish whiskey -- and a genuinely memorable…read moreone. The Midleton Distillery Experience is home to seven iconic Irish whiskey brands: Jameson, Redbreast, Powers, Midleton Very Rare, The Spot Whiskeys, Method and Madness, and Knappogue Castle. The site itself is the original Old Midleton Distillery, and walking through it means moving through restored 19th-century warehouse buildings where whiskey has been aged in oak casks for generations. The history is embedded in the walls, and the experience is designed to make sure you actually feel it rather than just walk past it. We booked the private premium tasting tour, and the decision to go private changed the entire dynamic of the visit. Our tour guide -- French by birth, now based in Ireland having moved to learn English -- was exceptional. His enthusiasm for Irish whiskey was completely genuine, his knowledge was deep, and his ability to translate that knowledge into something both accessible and fascinating made the experience far better than any standard group tour could have. The kind of guide who makes you leave knowing things you did not expect to know when you arrived. The premium tasting takes you through four prestige whiskeys from the distillery's range, each contextualised properly rather than just poured and moved on from. The difference between what's available here and what you find on a standard shelf is immediately apparent. The highlight, and the moment that made the visit stick: I purchased a cask strength expression at 61% and bottled it myself directly from the cask. That is a singular experience -- standing in a working distillery, filling your own bottle from a numbered cask, corking it by hand. It is not a gimmick. It is exactly what it sounds like, and it earns every penny. If you are in the Cork area, include this in your itinerary without hesitation. The experience here is more thorough and personal than anything the Dublin distillery offers. Go private if you can, and stay long enough to bottle something. Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait Reservation recommended Yes

Daniel gave us a wonderful and very informative tour of the whiskey distillery. There was a…read moretasting afterwards, complimentary drink and a wonderful little cafe to sit. The gift shop is full of options for yourself or others. You won't leave empty handed!

Wow!! What an incredible property with a rich history. Fern, who grew up there, was a delight and…read morethe perfect guide. The lunch we had was stellar! They have a relish that they are well known for that was amazing! It reminded me of tomato chutney. Delicious!! The service was top notch! The hotel is beautiful with so much history. I hope to stay there someday. They have an outdoor pool, which was a surprise to see in Ireland. They have an amazing gift shop with beautiful sweaters, pottery, and kitchen gadets. Their were so many flowers throughout the entire hotel. They were having a small wedding and we were blessed with the musicians warm up while we ate. Highly recommend checking it out.

Got to stay at Ballymaloe -- although this review is for the restaurant, I'll do a separate review…read morefor the hotel (spoiler alert: giving the whole house 5 stars as well). Outstanding service, excellent food. The restaurant is exquisite, the food and chef of the highest quality. We took our time and had multiple -- small -- courses, which is absolutely worth it. The menu changes, so I'll attach photos of what we had when we were there. But between the house itself and the chef, I highly recommend this for a special occasion dinner.

Came to the English market and saw this cute chocolate store. There were many different truffles to…read moretry and each was one euro each. We picked a few different truffles and the cappuccino one was by far my fav. The passionfruit truffle has a very subtle good flavor. This is such a cute little shop, would def recommend to drop by and buy some chocolate!

What can one say apart from YUMMMM. It's chocolate guys. So many different types. Dark, white,…read moremilk, caramel, coffee, liquor, nuts, lollies... They have it all. And it's yum. Every time I'm down in cork I make sure to drop in and take some home for my mum and dad. Comes in cute lil boxes too. Great value for its tip top quality. A MUST!!

O'CONNOR'S BUTCHERS Cormac O'Connor's Butcher Shop has been…read moreproviding a fine service for the people of Mayfield for quite a few years now. It is well situated, at the bottom of Silverheights and close to our Lady Crowned Credit Union. The shop is always clean and well lit and has its own parking. There is quite a selection of meats there and the service is invariably good. O'Connor recently hit the foodie headlines when his Glazed Ham was chosen, with some Ballymaloe products, among others, to feed the hungry crews of the Clipper 09-10 race on Lapps Quay. They have now left these shores but O'Connor's local customers will keep the flag flying!

Good deli food, surpassed what we expected from a gas station restaurant. Cafeteria style with a…read morelarge selection. I actually got the full Irish breakfast and enjoyed it. Everyone else with me liked their food as well.

If you're a visitor or a local...there's no need to fret, you aren't going to be subject to subpar…read morecoffee while in Cork. Scurry away your thoughts of grabbing some java at a convenience store (or even at your hotel) and saddle on up to my newest, most favorite spot on earth. Filter is here to save your day! On a recent weekend morning I was up early (thanks baby!) and in need of coffee. While leisurely strolling along the river (and with a bit of help from my Yelp app) I came upon Filter, which was just opening its doors, hauling in jugs of milks for their coffee artistry endeavors. A sign if I ever saw one. Caffeine was to be mine. My latte was gorgeous (photo below) and hit the spot. The real stuff. I wish there was a Filter in every city in which I visit in the world, I'd not have to worry about caffeine reduction anxiety. Ha, I'm kidding! Sort of. *Small seating area (a few high tables) and pastries/light sandwiches on offer as well.

Brand New - from Eoin the guy who used to be at Gulpd Cafe at Triskel…read more The place is only open a week and it already SMASHES any coffee options in Cork! I had a Guatemalan filter coffee with a distinct taste of chocolate, delicious! I'm not a coffee Nerd, not really, but I know when I walk into a place and i'm out of my depth that something special is happening. Filter Coffees, weird coffee paraphernalia... soya milk! This place is gonna be massive for O'Sullivan's Quay. They built the place themselves, laid the floor, made the counters from old doors and wardrobes. Its a TINY space, but there is a more space than you think to sit, around by the espresso bar etc.... Despite the fact that I live on the other side of the city, I will be visiting this tasty little spot regularly. Its worth the walk.