Sunday, December 30, 2012

Top 10 Reasons to Spend New Year's Eve with Cork's & the Embassy Suites St. Paul - Downtown


No plans for New Year's Eve?

Well, with 2013 looming, we want to give you the top ten reasons why you should spend New Year's Eve with Cork's and the Embassy Suites St. Paul - Downtown. This way, you can make the best choice for your own rockin' New Year!

10. Location, location, location! Situated in close proximity to Mears Park and everything Lowertown has to offer, restaurants and fun are just a short walk away.

9. We're an all-in-one deal. Similar to the three musketeers, (All for one, and one for all!) Cork's and the Embassy Suites St. Paul - Downtown have everything you need to have a rockin' great time right on property. Cork's is a fantastic (no bias there) restaurant and bar, and you can stay the night right here in your own two-room suite.

8. Since New Year's Eve falls on a Monday, you can enjoy our Martini Monday special, where you get 50% off all of our delicious martinis, ALL day.

7. If you spend the night, you also get to take advantage of all the amenities that make the Embassy Suites hotels famous, like our complimentary (and nightly) Manager's Reception.

6. Did we mention our new menu?

5. Safety first - No need to worry about how you're getting home, since you can just stay the night.

4. Make a day of it - Start with our famous Cork's Happy Hour at 4. You get half off all appetizers, rail, call, martinis, specialty drinks, and whiskeys. Plus, $3 house wines, $2 standard bottles and taps, and $3 premium bottles and taps. These great deals run 'til 6 on New Year's Eve.

3. If you're staying, enjoy a nice New Year's Eve soak in the Jacuzzi, or a refreshing swim in the pool!

2. Plus, if you spend the night, you get to greet 2013 with our complimentary cooked to order breakfast. What would you like in your omelet?

1. And last, but certainly not least, spending New Year's Eve at Cork's means you get to spend it with us!


To make your reservations to stay with us, CLICK HERE, and we'll see you tomorrow.

Happy New Year!

Friday, December 21, 2012

New Menu is LIVE

Just in time for the New Year, our New Menu is out and ready for your dining enjoyment. In addition to the usual Cork's favorites, we added in some great new dishes, appetizers, and even desserts!





So far, some clear favorite dishes have emerged: 
  • Chicken Wings (A new signature item not your traditional wing) - Braised whole wings tossed in a spicy dry rub seasoning. Served with celery and housemade bleu cheese dressing.
  • Cork’s Reuben Rolls - House braised corned beef, kraut, and thousand island wrapped in a flaky shell and deep fried.
  • Warm Pub Pretzels - Freshly baked and served with stout cheddar spread and spicy golden mustard.
  • Whiskey Steak Salad - Mixed greens tossed in a tomato and whiskey vinaigrette, topped with sweet sauteed onions, peppers, and bleu cheese encrusted beef medallion.
  • Chicken BLT Salad - Our famous chicken tenders over crisp romaine with bacon crumbles, cheddar cheese, and tomatoes, all tossed in a tarragon honey mustard.
  • Chicken Caprese Sandwich - Thinly pounded chicken breast, lightly fried and served atop a warm ciabatta roll with tomato, mozzarella, and basil aioli.
  • BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich - Pulled Pork tossed in a fresh made whiskey BBQ sauce, topped with coleslaw and served on a toasted pretzel bun.
  • Beer Brined Chicken Breast - Chicken breast brined in Finnegan's Irish Amber, grilled to perfection and served with a sweet corn succotash and garlic mashed Yukon potatoes.
  • Chicken Pot Pie - Pieces of grilled chicken breast and asparagus in a light tarragon cream sauce. Baked into a flaky golden brown puff pastry.
  • Asiago Halibut - Asiago and panko crusted halibut served over basmati rice with haricots verts and topped with a traditional lemon beurre blanc.
  • Homestyle Meatloaf (VERY popular) - Two slices of fresh baked meatloaf grilled and smothered in our very own whiskey BBQ glaze, served with mashed potatoes and fresh spring peas.
  • Chocolate Bread Pudding with Whiskey Anglaise (Another signature item made in-house by our chef) - A twist on an old favorite. Chocolate cake and sourdough bread in a cocoa custard, baked to perfection.
As you can see, there is plenty to try and sample to your heart's content, so stop on by and taste for yourself just what the fuss is all about.

Then, you can let us know about your favorite dish! 

Sláinte!


Sunday, December 16, 2012

A Wintry Stroll Through Rice Park

Rice Park Powered by Xcel Energy

As we continue posting on all of the wonderful things there are to do and see in our favorite city during the winter, we just had to include Rice Park Powered by Xcel Energy. With just over two weeks left to enjoy this spectacular display of holiday wonder, we encourage you to head out to Rice Park once the sun goes down (and perhaps just before a lovely dinner). 

From 5 to 6pm nightly, Rice Park is transformed by millions of sparkling lights capturing the joy and spirit of the holiday season. Including a tree that's as big and bright as the one that graces Rockefeller Center in New York City, the lights in Rice Park are a sight that you just don't want to miss. This year's tree is lit by 15,000 LED lights and is complemented by the millions of other twinkling lights, classic Nutcracker and angel statues, as well as additional holiday decor.

Gather your family and friends and head into downtown St. Paul for the holidays, and while you're here, make sure you check out the lighted winter wonderland that is Rice Park Powered by Xcel Energy.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Winter in St. Paul: Wells Fargo Winter Skate

Wells Fargo Winter Skate
On a day like today (when we're actually reminded that we live in Minnesota and snow is not just a possibility but an inevitability), we just couldn't help but look forward to all of the great things about St. Paul in the winter. Therefore, throughout the month of December, our posts will focus on all of the happenings, fun, and general goings on in our great Capitol City when it's not Road Construction Season. Leave your hibernation and embrace the reason we're the toughest in the nation. It's not just anyone that can survive these winters, you know!

First up, Wells Fargo Winter Skate. Taking over Landmark Plaza just adjacent to Rice Park, Wells Fargo Winter Skate is St. Paul's premier outdoor, artificially-chilled and absolutely FREE ice skating rink! Sponsored by Wells Fargo, Winter Skate invites skaters, "to experience the unique urban setting of downtown Saint Paul." With the return of what appears to be a "real" Minnesota winter after last year's hiatus, you and your family should be able to enjoy the rink all season long.

Open at 11am seven days a week, the rink has been waiting for you since November 24. It closes at 5pm Monday through Thursday, 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 9pm on Sundays. Skate rental is just $2 per person, unless you're a Wells Fargo customer, in which case rental is free for your entire family when you show your Wells Fargo Check Card or Debit Card. A waiver is required, and the rink will be closed in the event of cold or inclement weather. Otherwise, it's all fair game!

Make sure you check the calendar as Youth Hockey, Broomball, live music, and other special events grace the rink as well. For more information, or to plan your visit, we encourage you to visit their website: http://www.wellsfargowinterskate.com/.

Then, when your legs are skated out and you're ready to come in out of the cold for something to warm you up, we'll see you at Cork's!