In pictures: Plenty to bring to the table on Pembroke Street for Cork on a Fork
Diners gathered on Pembroke Street on Sunday afternoon for the Cork on a Fork long table event. Picture: ThaliaGreaux
Who knew that attending the first Pembroke Street Table would lead to a night spent soaking up the last of the Cork on a Fork atmosphere in Cork City.
That’s exactly what happened on Sunday afternoon after we took our seats at the long table on Pembroke Street, set for 90 guests all anticipating a taste of what was on offer on the small pedestrianised street.
Before taking our seats, we were welcomed onto the street with a choice of a tasty cocktail using Maharani Gin brewed locally by Rebel City Distillery or a Madrí beer.
As soon as we sat down, we got chatting to the lovely women to the left and right of us, getting to know each other over our starters – house-baked stone bread with garlic and olive butter from Orso.
As conversation flowed from questions such as ‘where are you from?’ and ‘what do you do for work?’ to deep, meaningful chats about dating, ageing and life, we continued to enjoy a meat and cheese board from Arthur Mayne’s and a duo of tacos from The Old Town Tanqueria Café.
The short shower of rain that fell about an hour into the unique dining experience was embraced by everyone in attendance with the hope that the skies would soon clear again – it is Ireland, after all.
Read More
Luckily, the grey clouds passed over before the mains – a choice between braised short rib of beef and Union Hall hake from Helena’s at The Imperial – and people had another two hours of tasty food, generous wine pours, atmospheric music, and good company to enjoy as the weather cleared.
The dessert from The Bookshelf went down a real treat with diners. The duo of a salted caramel chocolate brownie and a coconut and lime slice was a sweet ending to what was a thoroughly enjoyable few hours connecting with new people and enjoying the variety of cuisine the street has to offer.
Looking left and right of the table, people were deep in conversation and laughter with the diners around them. Those who attended alone left with new connections and those who came with friends left with a larger friend group.
Toward the end of the meal, diners were thanked by the general manager of The Imperial Hotel, Lorraine Gavigan, who had earlier welcomed us to the first-ever Pembroke Street Table as part of the wider Cork on a Fork festival.
Her closing words were met with applause and the celebratory gesture of people waving their napkins in the air, before all of the staff who worked the long table lined the street.
From chefs to wait staff and managers, all of those involved were applauded for the hard work that went into making the first event of its kind on the street such a success.
Before wrapping up, the question: ‘Will we go somewhere for a drink?’ was being asked and naturally, one drink became a few. We finished the night by keeping it local, enjoying the band that played at Canty’s Bar on Pembroke Street before the question: ‘Crane Lane?’ was asked… and answered.
We couldn’t finish the night without a post-1am slice of pepperoni pizza from Fast Al’s – another true Cork institution.
The afternoon-turned-late-night experience proves that the single street in Cork city has everything you could want for a good time – a café, multiple restaurants offering various cuisines, and a selection of bars to finish the night with a few beverages.
Here’s hoping the Pembroke Street Table will be the first of many communal dining experiences enjoyed on the street.
