Spoiled for choice

Good gravy! We’ve truly had our fill of this pandemic by now and those of us who love to get dolled up and eat out are really starting to feel the bite.

Eating out is a thing we do well in Cork. Whether it’s Italian, Chinese, Indian, Mexican or some of our own fine local produce; you name it, we got it.

We’re so spoiled for choice here on Leeside that maybe it’s fair to say we’ve been taking our vast array of fine establishments for granted - until recently of course.

The fluctuating lockdowns we’ve endured in Ireland have given us tantalising windows of relative freedom in which to enjoy the simple pleasure of enjoying a meal with friends in a restaurant or a gastro pub, but now we’re hungry for more.

Luckily, the wonderful people in the dining industry are a resilient and resourceful bunch and now, more than ever before, our options for dining at home are truly mouth-watering.

There are more delivery cyclists than cars on the roads these days, all zig-zagging across the city and beyond to bring us whatever our stomachs desire.

Restaurants that would usually be packed to capacity now offer click and collect services and takeaway options.

Our gratitude to these people must be known! They kept us going, kept us fed and offered a little bit of colour and flavour during these unpalatable times.

At the end of the day though, we are social creatures and we do miss the clinking of cutlery and the buzz of chat at our favourite pubs and restaurants.

In the past few weeks we’ve been spoon-fed a few morsels of hope with a mid-summer reopening now on the cards. A large pinch of salt with that?

In the meantime, as we tuck into our third main course of lockdown, remember there is no shortage of great food here in Cork. It’s closer, easier and tastier than you might think.

But if a takeaway doesn't tickle your fancy and you're sick of making banana bread, we've some recipes to keep you busy until your favourite restaurants reopen.

Bon appetit!