It’s surprising how many people are unaware of the existence of Star Anise but Bridge St, where it is located, is a connecting street, a class of blink-and-you’ll-miss-it link between the quays and MacCurtain St, so perhaps that may be why. Actually, I worked on Bridge St many moons ago and it is one of my favourite streets in Cork, a little self-contained universe including Cork Coffee Roasters Café, one of the very best coffee shops in the country. Star Anise, too, has become another valuable member of that community, it is a rare gift to be able to create a feeling of real welcome. And Star Anise has that gift.
http://www.examiner.ie/weekend/foodandwine/added-value-183256.html
Joe McNamee: Food Writer 