[Review] Ali's Kitchen, Rory Gallagher Place, Cork

As a student in Cork City, I spent many afternoons browsing the bookshelves of Connolly's bookshop on Rory Gallagher Place. I couldn't, and still can't, get enough books in my life. When I learned than Alan Connolly had retired and closed his bookshop, I was disappointed to see a little of the old fabric of Cork disappearing.  

I need not have worried however, as the opening of Ali's Kitchen in this beautiful old building has given Cork a vibrant cafe and bakehouse which has quickly developed a reputation as the place for brunch and baked goods in the city. Even browsing their Instagram feed induces salivation. 

Coffee at Ali's Kitchen

We visit during a busy brunch service but we are lucky to grab one of the few remaining tables before they are all taken. Brunch options are chalked up on a blackboard but my gaze keeps being drawn to the countertop covered in alluring cinnamon rolls and other delicious looking pastries. Still, it's brunch time and I gather my focus. 

I had been looking forward to trying the famous black pudding hash, but unfortunately, all the black pudding was gone, replaced instead by a bacon hash. This turned out to be a glorious mixture of fried potatoes, crispy bacon, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. I accept it as a worthy replacement, but the black pudding hash is still in my sights.

Across the table, a similar dish but with hot smoked salmon was disappearing quickly. A chorizo and chickpea stew had been "brunchified" with the addition of a poached egg, along with a toasted slice of superb crusty sourdough for mopping up. 

Bacon hash with poached eggs

Chorizo & chickpea stew with poached egg

Hot smoked salmon hash

Owner Ali Honour brings a strong love of food and experience gained from her travels, and combines this with fantastic Cork produce from producers such as Hanley's and Durcan's, with coffee from Dublin micro-roastery Cloudpicker. And most of all, her passion and enthusiasm is reflected in the faces of the Corkonians who flow in and out of the cafe. 

Ali's Kitchen, Rory Gallagher Place, Cork
Tel: +353 (0)21 2390 681
URL: www.aliskitchencork.com
Twitter: @AlisKitchenCork
Instagram: @aliskitchencork