Cooke’s Cafe in South William Street was the epicentre of Californian influenced Mediterranean food in the early 1990s, when there wasn’t a lot of it available in Dublin. Chef proprietor Johnny Cooke worked in New York and California before bringing his take on new wave Italian back to his home turf.
A catering company kept the Cooke’s Cafe style of food in circulation after the restaurant closed in 2008, and now he has opened a deli, Cooke’s Kitchen, in the gastro-hub that is Monkstown Crescent, Co Dublin.
The new shop is two doors down from That’s Amore, near Goggins’ pub. It stocks Mediterranean staples, and features a spice and oil bar where customers can choose between 20 spice blends and rubs Cooke has developed, as well as a range of finishing salts, and oils and vinegars, sold by the half litre from large stainless steel canisters.
The new shop will also offer Mediterranean influenced dishes, sauces, salads and desserts, all prepared on site. Cheeses, cured meats and bread will provide the makings of an impromptu meal, and there’s a full Christmas catering menu on offer – starters, main courses, side dishes and desserts, that can be ordered until December 18th, for collection up to Christmas Eve.
Opening hours are 10am to 7pm Sunday to Thursday, with late opening until 8pm Friday and Saturday.
