Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Ring in the New Year Cork's Style!

Here at Cork's, it's been a crazy holiday season! We've survived blizzards (and all the related snow emergency parking drama that followed), two holiday brunches, and more! Through it all, our staff has persevered! We could not be more thankful for all of their contributions. Cork's just wouldn't be Cork's without 'em!

As such, we are super excited for everything the New Year brings and are looking forward to celebrating with you, our favorite friends and guests. We've got a whole host of specials lined up just for the occasion.

For New Years Eve Dinner, we are offering our superb Prime Rib Dinner for just $26. Add a cold water lobster tail to make it a "Surf & Turf" for just $12 more. We'll also have a Seafood Cioppino on special. That's shrimp, mussels, calamari, bat scallops, and cold water lobster in a zesty saffron white wine and tomato broth with fresh basil.

After you've gotten your fill of delicious dinner, party it up in the lounge! We're offering Late Night Bar Specials from 9pm to close!

$2 Scottish Eggs
$2 Corned Beef Sliders
$8 ChamBulls (A delicious blend of champagne and Red Bull)       


Ring in the New Year at your favorite neighborhood pub! We can't wait to see you all in 2011!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Yuletide Feasting

You're cordially invited to join us for our delightful Christmas Day Brunch. A culinary feast of epic proportions, our brunch will incorporate holiday and traditional favorites spanning breakfast, lunch and dinner! To top it off, we've even added a dessert buffet that includes white and dark chocolate fountains.

Christmas Day Brunch Menu
The Brunch runs from 10am to 2pm. Prices are $28.95 for adults, $14.95 for children 4 to 12, and Free for children 3 and under.

To secure your family's reservation, contact Cork's at 651.224.5111.

May your Christmas be merry and bright! S'lainte!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

GO WILD - Twitter Edition!

REVISED EDITION

As we wrap up our Go Wild Facebook Contest (it's been a great week!), we are getting ready to kick-off our Twitter "Biggest Wild Fan" portion of the jersey giveaways.

We posted all of the details last week but had to make some minor changes due to a shipping issue with our original prize offering.

Twitter "Biggest Wild Fan" Contest - The Skinny
1. Follow us on Twitter.
2. Contest will coincide with the Wild home game against the Flames on December 20th.
3. On December 20th, Cork's twitter account will prompt tweepers to tweet (in 140 characters or less) why they are the biggest Minnesota Wild fan, including the hash-tag for the contest, #Wild4Corks.
4. Contest closes at 11:59pm the same day (12/20/2010). 
5. Only one tweet (the first) per Twitter username will be counted.
6. Judging is at the sole discretion of Cork's management and will be decided based on personal whim and preference. 
7. The winner will be notified/tweeted on Twitter on December 21 and can come claim his/her prize from Cork's when it comes in! (Sorry...no mailing jerseys...You must be able to come retrieve your prize). Winner will be notified by email/DM as soon as their jersey arrives. 
8. The PRIZE: One premium replica jersey in winner's choice for color, size, and customization. (Once the winner is notified, we will ask for their preferences and place the order accordingly.) 

 

So...Get ready! Follow us on Twitter and proclaim yourself the biggest Wild fan today!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Go Wild Contest!

Here at Cork's, we sure love our social media fans. We also love contests...Contests that involve really cool prizes. That's why we're pretty excited about our latest Go Wild Contest, because it's: 
a. For our social media fans! (Facebook & Twitter)
b. A contest! (Well, actually two contests in one)...
c. The prizes are sweet Minnesota Wild Jerseys! (Just in time for Christmas wearing or giving!)

Facebook Trivia Contest - The Skinny
1. Follow us on Facebook.
2. A Minnesota Wild trivia question will be posted on Wild game days beginning on December 9th (for their away game against the Coyotes). 
3. Fans have until 11:59pm CST on to answer that day's question by leaving a "comment" with their answer to the trivia post.
4. One point is awarded for each correct answer. 
5. One answer per person per question is allowed.
6. The last Wild trivia question will be posted on December 20th for their game against the Flames. 
7. Fans have additional chances to earn points by answering Cork's trivia questions as well. Cork's trivia questions will be posted randomly. Again, fans have until 11:59pm CST on the day the question is posted to comment with their answer. 
8. In the event of a tie leading up to the final question, the final question will be handled in a sudden death round fashion, in which the first person (who was part of the leading tie) to post the correct answer wins. 
9. The winner will be notified/posted on Facebook on December 21 and can come claim his/her prize from Cork's any time after that! (Sorry...no mailing jerseys...You must be able to come retrieve your prize). 
10. The PRIZE: One Red Clutterbuck Jersey! 
 


Twitter "Biggest Wild Fan" Contest - The Skinny
1. Follow us on Twitter.
2. Contest will coincide with the Wild home game against the Flames on December 20th.
3. At noon on December 20th, Cork's twitter account will prompt tweepers to tweet (in 140 characters or less) why they are the biggest Minnesota Wild fan, including the hash-tag for the contest, #Wild4Corks.
4. Contest closes at 11:59pm the same day (12/20/2010). 
5. Only one tweet (the first) per Twitter username will be counted.
6. Judging is at the sole discretion of Cork's management and will be decided based on personal whim and preference. 
7. The winner will be notified/tweeted on Twitter on December 21 and can come claim his/her prize from Cork's! (Sorry...no mailing jerseys...You must be able to come retrieve your prize).
8. The PRIZE: One Green Burns Jersey
 

May the best fan win! 

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Sports at Corks!

Around here, we love sports just as well as any other self-respecting leprechaun. We bleed purple on Sundays and cry icy tears when our Wild lose. We also love to treat our fellow sports fans right! With several large flat screens for you to catch all the action and game time specials, you'll love catching the game at Cork's.


Vikings Games
Free Purple Hooters Shots with every touchdown! 
Happy Hour beer prices ALL game long
Commemorative Miller Lite Resealable Pints In Vikes 50th Anniversary aluminum bottles for just $3
...and for Sunday games, We have our Sunday Bloody Sunday special going on in conjunction with the game specials - $5 Bloody Marys ALL DAY & our Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar from 11am - 4pm. 

Wild Games
Happy Hour Beer Prices ALL game long
If you were lucky enough to score tickets, park in our lot (parking is validated with any purchase), and ride our shuttle to the game for just $5. Then, you get a $5 voucher to Cork's!

Plus, you still get to take part in the usual daily specials, depending on which day of the week the game falls! 

Skol Vikings, Go Wild, & S'lainte!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Winter Skate is Back!

Well, winter is definitely here, so we might as well make the most of it! As seasoned Minnesotans, we know we're in for a long haul once the snow and cold settle in, so it's a good thing there's a plethora of fun, wintry things to occupy our time until the thaw.


Last night marked the grand opening celebration of Wells Fargo's Winter Skate in downtown St. Paul. The free outdoor rink is up and ready for some serious skating!

Open skate is offered daily at 11am, and the rink closes at 5pm Monday through Thursday, 10pm on Friday and Saturday and 9pm on Sunday. Skates are available for rent, or you can bring your own! (Rental fee is waived if you show your Wells Fargo check card or credit card). For more information on the rink and a schedule of events, click here.

So what are you waiting for? Stop on in for some Scottish Eggs and something to get you warm and toasty and head out into the Winter Wonderland!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Company Days

Hey local workers? How does an extra discount just for working at your company sound? Great! Cork's loves our local St. Paul workforce and wants to express our appreciation by extending a discount each day of the week for area companies. 

Simply stop in for lunch, dinner, or even happy hour and present your badge, payroll stub, or other form of identification and receive 50% off your food purchase for yourself and a guest! Offer is valid all day on your company's assigned "Company Day."

Company Days Schedule

Monday
St. Paul Police
St. Paul Fire Department
City of St. Paul
Department of Revenue

Tuesday
Regions Hospital
Science Museum

Wednesday
Department of Human Services
MN State Employees
Ecolab

Thursday
Securian
City and County Credit Union
Cray
McNally Smith (Students & Faculty)
Lawson

Friday
Health Partners
Bethesda/St. Joseph's Hospitals
Department of Agriculture

So come on down to your favorite neighborhood pub and bring your co-workers, your spouse, maybe even your boss. (You do want that promotion, right?)

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Thanksgiving Cork's Style

We've taken the dirty work out of your Thanksgiving celebration. Bring your whole family to Cork's for our Thanksgiving Day Brunch!

With plenty of room for the whole gang, you won't need to be hauling those chairs around and adding leaves to your table. From traditional favorites to new fun twists (like a Caramel Fountain!), we've got something to please everyone in the spread.


With Cork's handling all of the details, you can get your fill and continue celebrating and enjoying your family! That's what the holidays are really about after all!

To make your reservations, please contact us at 651.224.5111

Saturday, November 6, 2010

The Special du Jour? Sounds Delicious...I'll have that!

The economy got you down? An expensive holiday season approaching? Don't you fret! Cork's has got your back, baby!

As your favorite neighborhood leprechaun-laden pub, Cork's loves offering great daily specials that save you money without compromising your fun! 

MARTINI MONDAYS
It's just another manic Monday...We're here to help you cope.
50% off our delicious martinis all day

EVERYONE'S IRISH TUESDAYS
50% off all Irish-inspired specialty drinks all day
FREE BINGO (from Trivia Mafia) at 8pm

WEED WEDNESDAYS
Jeremiah Weed Sweet Tea Vodka and any mixer for just $3 all day
FREE TRIVIA (from Trivia Mafia) at 8pm

WINE & MUSIC LOVER THURSDAYS
1/2 off any bottle of wine all night
Live music at 7pm (local talent)

CARNIVORE FRIDAYS
Two 12oz Sterling Silver Prime Rib Specials and a bottle of house wine for only $50.
Hendricks and Tonics $4 all day
Plus, we offer Facebook Fan Friday lunch! 
Prove you're a fan on Facebook and get 50% off your lunch (from 11am to 4pm).

SATURDAYS
Our famous Prime Rib Special + $3 Irish Car Bombs

SUNDAY BLOODY SUNDAY
$5 Bloody Marys all day 
Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar from 11am to 4pm


We hope to see you this week!
SLAINTE! 

Friday, October 29, 2010

I'M WITH LEPRECHAUN FINALISTS

A big thank you to everyone who submitted their 'I'm With Leprechaun' photos and bribed their friends and family members to vote their pics up! From the great submissions posted, we are excited to announce the following three finalists (in no particular order): 

Brandon Kelley with "It's a Wild win drink up" 

 Melissa Nelson Judas with Leprechaun

Thomas B. Nelson with "Me and Lucky having breakfast."

Show up tomorrow for our rockin' Halloween bash and the final vote-off for the I'm With Leprechaun photo contest. Winner to be announced at 9pm and contestants must be present to win. 

PRIZES
1st Place - $50 Gift Certificate
2nd Place - $25 Gift Certificate and a sweet T-shirt
3rd Place - Some wicked bar swag!

Slainte and Happy Halloween! 

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Cork's Halloween Bash!

Drop by Cork's anytime on Saturday, October 30th, as we host our rockin' Halloween Bash! Some of our frighteningly fa-BOO-lous specials include: 

Witch's Brew 
Happy Hour beer prices available ALL DAY! ($2 Standard Bottles & Taps, $3 Premium Bottles & Taps).
What a great day to try one of our featured bottle offerings!

Jell-O Shots 
Black or Orange Jell-O shots for just $3 each ALL day! 


Trick or Treating 
Say "Trick or Treat" to your bartender or server and get a 
FREE Grape Tootsie Roll shot! 

Additional Tricks and Treats will be going on all night with giveaways and specials on the hour!

I'm With Leprechaun Winner - 9pm
Photo face-off judging from among our entrants on our Facebook Fan I'm With Leprechaun Photo Contest. If you haven't see the pictures or voted for your favorite yet by "liking" the pic, visit our I'm With Leprechaun photo album on our Cork's Facebook Page.


Costume Contest 
Dress your Halloween Best! Costume Contest winner announced at 11pm. (Must be present to win). 


Don't miss what's sure to be an awesome time! Be there or be scared!


Sunday, October 17, 2010

I'M WITH LEPRECHAUN PHOTO CONTEST!

First Annual Cork's I'M WITH LEPRECHAUN photo contest began on October 1, 2010. 
If you're not yet a fan of Cork's on Facebook, become one for opportunities to interact with your favorite neighborhood pub, exclusive contests, fan-only content, deals, and more!



Here's how the contest works: 

- Cork's Facebook fans are encouraged to take pictures of themselves with a leprechaun (note: Cork's does have a leprechaun, but it can be ANY leprechaun, leprechaun-looking person, item, etc....BE CREATIVE)! 

- Then, post your pictures to the Cork's Facebook Wall under the title ‘I’M WITH LEPRECHAUN’. We will create an album for other fans to be able to vote for their favorite (by clicking ‘LIKE’)! So, tell all your friends to become fans of Cork’s on Facebook, so they can vote your pic up!

- The top three pictures with the most ‘LIKES’ will be blown up and displayed at Cork’s for our big, bad, super rad Halloween bash on October 30! 

- Then, after a final, live vote-off, the winner will be crowned in front of all his/her/their peers for infinite fame and some cool swag to boot! (Must be present to win).

Prizes: 1st Place - $50 Gift Certificate, 2nd Place - $25 Gift Certificate and a sweet T-shirt, 3rd Place - Some wicked bar swag!


You're totally going to want to make plans to attend the Halloween bash! Highlights include Witch's Brew with Happy Hour beer prices all day and black or orange jello shots for only $3! Don't forget to say "trick or treat" to your bartender or server and get a FREE Grape Tootsie Roll Shot!

Sunday, October 10, 2010

St. Paul Art Crawl

This weekend marked the 30th St. Paul Art Crawl. Bringing together more than 300 artists, the event also featured live performances as well as the opportunity for patrons to take home their very own artwork from the "Art Vending Machine" for just $5.00.

Joshua Cunningham, “Along the Line” oil painting

Going on through today until 5pm, the event takes place throughout the Lower Downtown area of St. Paul. For a map, schedule, and more information, please visit their website: http://www.stpaulartcrawl.org/.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Twin Cities Marathon Fever



I write this as the last Twin Cities marathoners are crossing the finish line, thinking, "Wow! What a tremendous accomplishment." Not only are each one of those runners' lives touched by such an awe-inspiring experience, but we neighborhood businesses get swept up in the emotional fervor surrounding such a momentous event as well! 

Here's to a great weekend of racing, culminating months (and even years) of training! Cork's was proud to host an all-you-can eat pasta buffet pre-race last night, and we're now peeking out to glimpse all the fanfare over on the capital grounds. 

A big congratulations to all of the finishers this weekend! For more information on the The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America, feel free to visit their website: http://www.mtcmarathon.org/


Also, if you're downtown for the race, feel free to stop in and celebrate! Cork's has $5 Bloody Marys all day and a build your own Bloody Mary Bar from 11am-4pm. 


Slainte! 

Sunday, September 26, 2010

New Fall Menu Items!

We’ve kicked off some brand new fall menu items this week! 

Chef Scott has an appreciation for all things locally sourced and really sought opportunities to incorporate fresh, seasonal ingredients into the new fall dishes. Browsing the St. Paul Farmer’s Market is his favorite inspiration.  If you ever catch Chef Scott there, please stop and say hi. He’ll give you his business card (worth 25% off your next meal at Cork’s)!

New Fall Dishes Unveiled This Week

Bangers-n-Mac:
Penne pasta in a cream sauce with cheddar, monterey jack, smoked gouda and parmesan cheeses tossed with (locally produced) grilled lamb sausage.

Shepherds' Pie:
Classic country stew with seasonal vegetables, lamb, and beef in rich Jameson beef gravy.  Finished with piped yukon mashed potatoes and lightly gratineed.  

Sea Scallops with Corned Beef and Cabbage:
Pan-seared sea scallops on a bed of braised cabbage, scented with caraway and chunks of our slow-cooked corned beef, braised with just the right amount of Finnegan's Ale.

Irish Potato Pizza:
Thinly sliced fingerling potatoes on a white pie with mozzarella, cheddar, bacon and green onion

Stop in and try something new today!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Exciting Happenings for Fall!

As your neighborhood Irish bistro, Cork's is happy to announce several upcoming events for you to keep on your calendar this Fall. Make sure you follow Cork's on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date on all the latest news and happenings!

1. New Menu
We roll out our new fall menu this week! Check our Facebook page for pictures and more information about the new items.

2. Live Music
Cork's is continuing our commitment to the local live music scene, in that we will be offering live music every Thursday. Our Fall line-up is already squared away, so please check our Facebook page regularly for updates on events and happenings.

2. Know your Cork's Contest
How well do you know the people behind Cork's? Each week we will be featuring a different staff member. We will post fun facts about the selected member on Facebook as well as tweet facts via Twitter. Guests are encouraged to start conversations with their servers, bartenders, and even hosts about the clues and try to figure out which staff member is being highlighted. The first person to post the correct staff member to our Facebook page wins a gift certificate!

3. I'm With Leprechaun - Begins October 1st!
Facebook fans are encouraged to post their best picture that includes themselves and a leprechaun of their choosing. Other fans are then asked to vote on their favorite picture. The picture with the most votes will be announced at the Cork's Halloween Bash and will win a big ole' gift certificate (in addition to infinite Cork's fame).

4. Trivia Mafia continues every Wednesday with our Love Your Bartender Special!
Each Wednesday, our resident bartender extraordinaire, Savannah, rolls out one of her fabulous favorite concoctions at a great price for that evening. Then, Trivia Mafia shows up at 8 to get the party started! Cork's throws in gift certificates for the first and second place trivia winners each week!

We can't wait to see you this fall! Stop in and say hello, or feel free to throw some Facebook salutations on our wall!


Slainte!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Concrete and Grass Music Fest

Calling all Twin Cities music fans! Support local sounds with the Concrete and Grass Music Festival. Running through today at Mears Park, the festival celebrates the opening of performance season and features a variety of music types.

Headliners included Dessa, Communist Daughter, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and more!

Today's Line-Up for the rest of the afternoon:


Saturday Sept 11th
Main Stage:

4:00 SPCO 
6:30 Communist Daughter
8:30 Suicide Commandos 

Acoustic Stage

5:00 Moses Oakland 
7:30 Young Relics 

Come on out! It's a beautiful day to enjoy an outdoor music festival!

Friday, September 3, 2010

A picture's worth a thousand bites!


Megan Conniff expounded on the shift in food photography from being more heavily styled to being more realistic in her blog post from today, Picturing the Perfect Meal. (http://smartblogs.com/restaurants/2010/09/03/picturing-the-perfect-meal-trends-in-food-marketing/)

Conniff indicated that many restaurants (and food photographers) were subsequently moving to a "what you see is what you get" mentality when it came to representing their dishes. This goes directly along the lines of stimulating clients' palettes before they even sit down at your restaurant by enticing their appetites with good visual images of your product. 

Not only is this a good way to get guests in the door, but it also goes a long way in pushing for repeat business when showing guests all of the different (and delicious!) options available to them. Remember, even though the trend is to more realistic images, you still need to take (or have taken) quality, styled photographs of the dishes you would like to feature. (This fully assumes that your chef is already handling plating with some semblance of artistry). 

One necessary place for good product images remains your restaurant's website. Use mainstay (this is what we're famous for) dishes and incorporate these images on your website. Another great option is to include product images when you convey messages via social media. 


Facebook is a fantastic example, in that you are able to email pictures of your daily specials directly to your Facebook account. For our picture of our Chicken Cordon Blue pasta special, we simply added the caption in the Subject field and emailed the picture to our special Facebook upload address. 
Twitpic is another great tool, in that you are able to share your pictures via Twitter in real time. 

Honestly, with all of the great buzz about social media, having a presence and getting your guests hungry is worth the time and expense related to obtaining some quality food photographs for your restaurant. 

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Fun in the Cities this Week

As you venture into the cities this week (to visit your favorite neighborhood Irish Pub, of course), you could check out any of the following awesome activities and bide your time until the long weekend. To help you out, we've offered a suitable Cork's menu pairing for each event. 

Monday, Aug. 30: Seniors & Kids Day at the State Fair - http://www.mnstatefair.org/tickets_discounts/admission.html
- Pair with Cork's Funnel Fries (Funnel cake sticks sprinkled with powdered sugar). 

- Pair with a Cork's Black N Blue Cosmo (watch out for Paparazzi).

Wednesday, Sept. 1: The Science Museum's Big Backyard - http://www.smm.org/bigbackyard/
- Pair with Petite Steak Burgers followed by a Hot Fudge Brownie Sundae...(mini golf sure works up an appetite)!

Thursday, Sept. 2: The Beatles! A One-Night Stand in the Heartland - http://www.minnesotahistorycenter.org/exhibits/beatles-one-night-stand-heartland
- Pair with the Scottish Eggs! Both a Cork's (and a U.K. favorite)!

Then, Happy Labor Day weekend! 

Slainte!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Cork's Super Star - Lavera

This week, our employee of the week is Lavera! You can find her behind the bar at our nightly Manager's Reception. Even if she hasn't seen you in over a year, Lavera will remember what you like to drink. 

Not only in possession of a wonderful memory, Lavera is also friendly, outgoing, and a great team player! She happily pitches in to help whenever needed (even if it's outside her "job description").

Stop by and see Lavera this week and witness a superstar in action!


Friday, August 13, 2010

Irish Fair 2010


As an Irish Pub and all, we get pretty excited when the annual Irish Fair of Minnesota rolls around. Starting today, the Irish Fair runs all weekend. Great music, good food, dancing, and more, the Irish Fair is open to the public.

Admission is completely free to get into the festival on Harriet Island, and there should be plenty to see and check out while you're there. For a complete list of all activities and events, check out the festival's schedule of events: http://www.irishfair.com/schedule/index.php.

Our chef will even be demoing Cork's famous Scottish Eggs (I know, I know, Scottish Eggs at the Irish Festival...) at 1pm on Saturday on the Irish on Grand Pub Stage.


So, if the weather holds, bring the whole family down for some good, clean, Irish fun. (Make sure you stop in at Cork's for a pint on your way)! Slainte!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Mother's Day is just around the Corner!
We all have a special MOTHER to celebrate -- whether she is a wife, mother, grandmother or dear friend. We want to help you celebrate that wonderful person in your life by offering the most spectacular champagne brunch in the Twin Cities. Featuring a local three piece jazz trio and free flowing champagne and mimosas. The food is an extensive selection of the best of breakfast, lunch and dinner - and our chefs carve up Sterling Silver prime rib, juicy turkey and smoked honey ham.
Reservations fill quickly so make yours today!

Friday, January 22, 2010

Valentine's Day Plans???

Check out our "Lucky" Valentine’s Day Special


We are celebrating the month of love by featuring our limited Shrimp and Steak Special, every evening February 12th – 14th.

Our Steak and Shrimp Special is absolutely unbeatable!

The Steak and Shrimp Special features an 8oz grilled Top Sirloin in Le Grande Passion Demi-Glace and a  Shrimp Sautee with Garlic Pomegranate Scampi Butter on a bed of Almond Wild Rice Pilaf. The meal includes house salad, vegetable de jour, fresh baked bread, scalloped potatoes and choice of Champagne or House Wine. The cost is $30 per person or $60 for two.




We are located inside Embassy Suites Downtown St. Paul, and are known for combining the best of Irish Pub fare with classic Minnesotan favorites in a newly remodeled, Vintage Pub setting. For more information on Cork’s Valentine’s Day special, or to make a reservation, please call 651-244-5111.

Welcome!