Review: Kai Cafe + Restaurant, Galway

Kai Cafe + Restaurant

Galway City

It's only happened twice before that I've walked around a city and thought "this could be my home." The first, somewhat surprisingly, was while walking around Cork City a few years ago, to be fair this could have had more to do with the company, a new love can sometimes have that effect on a man but the city still retains a special place in my heart. The second time, somewhat unsurprisingly, was while walking around the streets of beautiful Florence. Everything about the city appealed to me and Ali and myself had actually planned on moving there until reality kicked in and stomped all over our romantic dream. Unexpectedly Galway had a similar effect on me. The narrow, pedestrianised streets instantly appealed while the seemingly liberal nature of the city re-enforced the point but it was of course the food that really swung it. The city has a great food scene and Kai plays a big part in it.

"Where good food lives," never was a tagline more apt. Kai is a bright and airy cafe located on Sea Road in Galway's city centre. Ali and I met our good friend Finn there for lunch on a bright August day. The large sky light along with the plethora of concrete give the impression of dining outside, a nice touch in a country where actually eating outside could become a nightmare very quickly. There are no printed menus, a good squint at the blackboard above the kitchen hatch is required to see what today's produce has inspired Jessica Murphy to create. I went for the Connemarra wild smoked mackerel, green bean mimosa, steves greens, brown soda and mint with cucumber. It was magnificent. Everything on the plate was perfectly seasoned and complimented each other perfectly. The mackerel was warm and just smokey enough without overpowering everything else.

After the main, a trip to the dessert table is necessary. There you will find a great choice of homemade tarts and cakes, all triggering an insuppressible drool. I decided on the Pecan Pie. I'm often left disappointed by pecan pies. Too much caramel not enough nut is my usual complaint but I had no such problems here. It was delicious, the perfect pecan. We finished our lunch with an excellent coffee before heading into the city, happy and full.

Kai is one of the many food gems in Galway's crown. It's bright and airy with friendly staff and great food. You may be able to find cheaper options but I guarantee they won't taste as good. 

Lunch Ratings:

Food: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Ambiance: 9/10
Selection: 9/10
Value for Money: 8/10

Overall: 9/10 Highly Recommended


Kai Cafe + Restaurant
Sea Road,
Galway City.
091 526003

Galway August 2015

Galway

August 2015

I'm a little behind on my blogging at the minute and now, as I sit in Marco's apartment in Turin, I'm reminded of our trip to Galway a couple of weeks ago. Why does an industrial city in northern Italy remind me of Galway? It's simple really, the weather is bloody awful! Anyway, enough about Torino (more of which in another post) and more of The City of The Tribes.

"There's enough McKenna Recommended restaurants here to make a Kildare man cry." This thought went through my head numerous times as I discovered what the vibrant city had to offer. We actually stayed in Salthill but it's only a beautiful walk from the city centre along the picturesque promenade and quays. Our first encounter with Galway's delicious food was our quick stop at The Gourmet Tart Company for a coffee (Lavazza - Thank you very much!) and cake. The perfect start. That night we enjoyed a family friendly Italian in Salthill (joined by my parents and two brothers). My Lobster Ravioli may have been masked by the tomato and chilli in the sauce but the Tiramisu made up for it. As did the wine. More restaurants in Ireland should serve Montepulciano D'Abruzzo as their house offering. A few drinks in the city with good friend Finn that night lead to another discovery - Galway does wine on tap - Sold!

"Peter, what will we do for lunch?" The dreaded question, If sharing an apartment with only Ali and my Mother (who both love food) then lunch wouldn't be a problem but when you throw in my Father, who is at best indifferent to nice things and two brothers who, at worst, despise food it becomes a more difficult situation. "I'll head into Sheridan's and see what they have." Sheridan's started out as a cheese mongers at farmers markets before opening their shop and restaurant in Galway City (and now one in Dublin too). The shop at ground level is a thing of magic. Ham's hang from the ceilings, Italian style, while the smell of cheese permeates the nostrils like a blast of airwaves before a first shift. I was delighted to see free range sausages and rashers from a local farm and these were joined in my basket by some smoky Red Leicester cheese and two fresh ciabatta rolls. Surely enough to please everyone, and so it was. That evening we entered the time warp that is McDonagh's for dinner (see review here) before witnessing the elements at their worst yet again.

Wednesday was a great day. Wednesday was Cava Day! Ali and I strolled into the city in great anticipation only to see Cava owner JP McMahon exiting his other restaurant, the michelin starred Aniar. After a trip to Charlie Byrne's bookshop to augment the cookery book collection and Thomas Woodberrys Wines for some post dinner sustenance, we walked into Cava twenty minutes early. Not a problem. There is a review of Cava Bodega coming shortly so I'll keep this short and sweet - it is outstanding. On our stroll home along the promenade, watching the setting sun, we noticed Sharon Shannon walking her 7 dogs. After a quick chat it was time to get back, open the Riesling and settle into the film "Diana" with Ali and my Mam.

Upon researching places to eat in Galway, one name continually came up - Kai. On Thursday we gave it a go for lunch, continuing our catch up with Finn. Again there's a review on the way but (again!) it was wonderful. My smoked mackerel main was excellent but it was the dessert table that was particularly striking. Although not particularly hungry, a couple of hours later, we tried a pizza from hipster hideout Dough Brothers. We walked out to Mutton Island and enjoyed our pizza watching the waves on the first fine day of our stay. That evening, family in toe, we ate at The Galleon in Salthill. Fine dining it may not be but the family-centric atmosphere and service makes it a must for anyone visiting Salthill with small children.

On Friday there was time for only one thing before our drive home - a trip back to Sheridan's to stock up on free range sausages, rashers and organic pancetta. Ali and my Mother snuck off to another gem - Cupán Tae for coffee and red velvet cake and assured me of (and rubbed in) it's deliciousness. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Galway. I used to be quite pessimistic about Ireland's food culture but Galway gave me renewed hope. There is a great selection of good restaurants and food shops. McCambridge's on Shop Street may come across a little gimmicky but the produce is top notch (especially the Toonsbridge Irish Mozzarella). There are plenty of independent butchers, bakeries, fish mongers and a couple of good vegetable shops too. As for restaurants, the michelin star may have gone to the pocket emptying Aniar but JP McMahon's other venture, Cava Bodega, is magnificent. We didn't get to try Nimmo's but I've heard great things while a dessert at The Gourmet Tart Co. will ensure you snack well in any weather. The pedestrianised areas along with the narrow medievel streets ensure that the city itself is just as beautiful as the food on offer within.