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!

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.

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!

Win 4 Tickets to Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic

Do you want to win four tickets to Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic? We thought so! Come celebrate the start of the holiday season with Mickey, Minnie, and the rest of the Disney crew as they skate their way into hearts across America.

65 of Disney's best-loved characters take to the ice at Xcel (not that it's getting much other use) in a show that's sure to delight, young and old.

And the best part of all? To kick off the season of giving, we have four tickets to the 7pm show on Saturday, December 8 that we would like to give away to a lucky family!

Winning is simple, all you need to do is like the Embassy Suites St. Paul on Facebook, like Cork's Irish Pub on Facebook, and follow the instructions that will be posted for each page.

We'll post the above picture on each page and ask fans to like the picture and comment with why they should win the tickets. By liking both pages and following the instructions on each page, you have two entries to win. (Only one entry per fan per page will be counted).

On Wednesday, December 5, our winner will be drawn at random from among all entrants on both pages to win ALL four tickets!


The Fine Print: Contest rules and ultimate winner remain subject to the discretion of the management team of the Embassy Suites St. Paul. Only one entry per fan per page will be counted. Contest winner will be picked at random from all valid entries from both Cork's Irish Pub and the Embassy Suites St. Paul - Downtown Facebook fan pages. Cork's Irish Pub, the Embassy Suites St. Paul - Downtown, and this contest are in no way affiliated with or sponsored by Disney, Disney on Ice, or the Xcel Energy Center. Pick-up of the tickets and transportation and attendance of the show are at the sole discretion and responsibility of the winner.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here at Cork's and the Embassy Suites St. Paul - Downtown, we just wanted to take this opportunity (on Thanksgiving no less!) to express our gratitude.

We're so thankful for all of our guests, both those who dine with us at Cork's as well as those who stay with us in the hotel. We just love being able to serve all of you, providing you with a great dining and lodging option in downtown St. Paul. With all of the choices for both, we're honored that you choose to dine and stay with us.

We're also thankful to be surrounded by such a great team. Our guest experiences just wouldn't be the same without such a dedicated group.

Therefore, this Thanksgiving, we wanted to dedicate this post to our gratitude. To our guests and our employees, we give thanks for you!

This year, what are you thankful for? With all to be grateful for in mind, we wish you and yours a sincerely Happy Thanksgiving!

Embassy Suites St. Paul - Downtown: Your Home for Holiday Events

With all of the exciting things happening in the Twin Cities this holiday season, we wanted to extend an invitation to stay. Know that here at the Embassy Suites St. Paul - Downtown, you always have a great option for that home away from home when you need one.

Situated in the heart of downtown Saint Paul, the Embassy Suites St. Paul - Downtown is an elegant all-suite hotel conveniently located near some of the area’s most popular attractions. Spacious two-room suites provide the amenities needed for working, vacationing with family and feeling comfortable.

No matter the reason that brings you to town, we're sure that with our complimentary cooked to order breakfast, evening manager's reception, pool, and whirlpool, you'll be able to unwind and enjoy the wonder of your event(s) this holiday season. We're even happy to shuttle you to and from your destination (within a five-mile radius for a nominal fee).

The Embassy Suites St. Paul - Downtown still has availability for the following events:

GOPHERS FOOTBALL

11/24 - Gophers vs. Michigan State

VIKINGS FOOTBALL

12/9 - Vikings vs. Bears

12/30 - Vikings vs. Packers

XCEL ENERGY CENTER EVENTS

12/6-9 - Disney on Ice

12/29 - Trans Siberian Orchestra

We are also in close proximity to the Ordway, the Science Museum of Minnesota, the Minnesota Children's Museum, Rice & Mears Parks, Saint Paul RiverCentre, and Landmark Center. No matter what brings you to town, we'll make sure you enjoy your stay.

Plus, if you're a fan of the Embassy Suites St. Paul Downtown on Facebook or follow the Embassy Suites St. Paul - Downtown on Twitter you get an extra 10% off standard rates. To book using our special social media rate, simply Like us on Facebook and/or follow us on Twitter, then CLICK HERE to book through our special social media booking window.

We hope you enjoy your stay this holiday season!

Halloween Costume Photo Contest - Winners!

For the last ten days, we've been enjoying all of the submissions to the Embassy Suites' Halloween Costume Facebook Photo Contest! Both Cork's and the Embassy Suites St. Paul challenged our Facebook fans to post in-costume pics of themselves and their kiddos to the Embassy Suites St. Paul Facebook page's Wall, encouraging friends to like their pictures. 

With the contest ending late last night, we got a chance to re-examine everyone's picture submissions once more, and were we ever impressed. Our fans are pretty creative, and they have some adorable kids to boot. For your viewing pleasure, we decided to share all of our photo submissions and announce the winners of course!

WINNER - Adult Costume

Amber's Cleopatra with her Entourage

WINNER - Kid Costume

Brianna's Zipper Face (with real zipper!)

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Katie's Cute Butterfly

Katie's Handsome Pirate

Melissa as a "Butter-witch" or "Witter-fly"

Riley as Lady Gaga

Kaitlyn as Flo from Progressive

Our two winners each won a certificate good for a one-night stay at the Embassy Suites St. Paul - Downtown!

Thank you to everyone who posted a photo and voted. 

Make sure you like both Cork's and the Embassy Suites St. Paul on Facebook so you can stay in the know about all the contests, specials, and fun that we share on our pages!