Meet the men transforming Cork's restaurant scene

Over the past 12 months, there has been a quiet transformation on the streets of Cork with a host of new eateries opening for business. John Daly meets the men transforming the city.

IF you’re looking for a barometer of the economy, try getting a restaurant table in Cork City any time Thursday through Sunday. Unless you reserve, you’ll be met with a fully-booked scenario as the city’s restaurant scene throbs to the beat of a new gastronomic dawn.

Nobody’s saying the bad days are over; it’s more a case of people wanting to live a little again. Around every corner and side street over the past year, there has been a quiet transformation, as a variety of new eateries has opened, ranging from gourmet takeaways to vegetarian cafes — and all reporting brisk business.