By Margaret Sheard…..
What nicer on a warm Sunday afternoon in North Cyprus than to go out for Sunday Lunch and this week we chose Whiskey 
Joe’s which is situated in the picturesque side-streets of old Kyrenia between the harbour and the main street near the mosque.
We knew Jamie, the Man in Black, would be providing some music for the diners so this was an added bonus and he was already playing his guitar and singing from his wide repertoire of popular songs when we arrived.
We settled ourselves down in the covered outside walled area which was very pleasant. I am not sure I have ever visited this venue before, although I had heard about it from other people, so I took the opportunity of wandering around. There is a really nice bar area which is based on a traditional pub with a separate entrance and a further dining area for those who prefer to have a meal inside.
From where we were seated we could see the kitchen through an open window and there we spotted Tony Elsey, the chef for the day. I remember Tony as the chef at our local restaurant many years ago and have bumped into him from time to time over the years, so I knew we were going to have an excellent lunch.
We ordered our starters of prawn cocktail and chicken goujons and the main course of one chicken and one beef which arrived with a huge plate of 4 different vegetables and mashed potato to accompany the meat, roast potatoes and Yorkshire pudding already on the plate. An excellent meal. We were served by Louisa, a student from Kurdistan who has been in North Cyprus for 3½ years and is studying international relations, with her ability to speak 3 or more languages she should do well.
I spoke with John Herring and his wife Tracey Penhaligon-Herring who took over the bar/restaurant in March 2015 having moved from the south where they had lived for 4½ years. John is originally from Newcastle and Tracey is from Penzance. 
They are very happy with their new venture and Whiskey Joe’s is becoming a very popular venue, with karaoke every Friday and other entertainment at various times, as well as sport and other features on their multi screen TVs in the bar. John is proud to display the award from Trip Advisor – Certificate of Excellence in 2014 and 2015 and also there is a 2016 certificate on its way.
John is the chef during the week and Tracey runs the bar and at weekends they have Tony who comes to help out with his culinary skills. Whiskey Joe’s is open 6 days a week – Tuesday to Saturday from 4pm and on Sundays 2pm to 10pm, closed on Mondays.
You can see more on Whiskey Joe’s facebook page by clicking here and for more information or bookings Tel: 0533 858 2183
