The good news for Lee-siders is that Michael Clifford has returned to town, and is already delighting folk with the food in his new Patrick Street restaurant, Michael's.
The early menus show that dazzling mixture of classical discipline meeting ruddy appreciation which has always been Mr Clifford's hallmark: gateau of Clonakilty Black Pudding; penne with hot chillies, tomato and tarragon; wood pigeon with crispy bacon and lentils; fillet of pork steak with egg noodles and mango sauce; Dublin Bay Prawns in a cognac cream sauce with a puree of potatoes; and there are lovely lunchtime dishes such as stout pie, salmon potato cakes; skewered chicken with Thai curry and soya sauce, and a stir-fry of garden vegetables and bean sprouts with buttered noodles.
Michael's Restaurant, 71 Patrick Street (above HCR chemists), Cork, tel; (021) 277716 open 12.30-3 p.m., 6- 10.30 p.m., Mon-Sat.