Review: Cava Bodega

Cava Bodega

Middle St, Galway City

Cava Bodega is an intimate and rustic restaurant on Middle Street in Galway's city centre. The venue is instantly welcoming with bright walls and friendly staff. Our host led us down to the basement where we were greeted with a lively atmosphere and walls adorned with wine bottles and pictures of pigs!

Ambiance: 9/10

I had been looking forward to visiting Cava Bodega for quite some time. Ever since Ali and I had attended a talk by its owner, JP McMahon, at the Ballymaloe Litfest back in May. There is something about his attitude to food that really appeals to me. He spoke passionately about food and Cava in particular, about the ingredients, the preparation and the enjoyment people have while eating there. I was dying to visit.

We were handed menus immediately and the host talked us through any alterations to the menu. I like to see this, I like a restaurant that isn't afraid to change depending on what's available. It was recommended to order five tapas between the two of us but we couldn't choose just five, we went for six instead! The tapas arrived as they were ready with the patatas bravas coming out first. The kick from the smoked paprika coupled with the delicious sauce made this an unexpected highlight. These were quickly followed by the rest of our dishes. A beautiful catalan ratatouille, squid with garlic, parsley and lemon, meatball in tomato sauce, duck in plum sauce and finally, black pudding with chickpeas, raisins and pine nuts. All of the dishes were exceptional. The squid was well seasoned and served with a creamy, pungent aioli. The large meatball was well flavoured and somehow perfectly moist. The plum sauce with the duck was spectacular while I would have quite happily eaten the chickpeas for the night.

Tapas: 9/10

For dessert I settled on the Santiago Tart, a moist almond tart served with mint ice-cream while Ali went for the churros, which were quite easily the best I have tried and were served with a rich chocolate sauce. The strong double espresso was the perfect end to the perfect meal.

Dessert: 9/10

The service in Cava Bodega is exceptional. We found all of the staff to be friendly, approachable and knowledgeable and it seemed as if they all enjoyed being there. As for the price, we paid €78 for 6 tapas, 2 desserts, tea, double espresso and 2 glasses of wine. I would consider this excellent value for the food on offer and was actually quite surprised when the bill came to the table!

Service: 9/10

Value: 9/10

Overall: 9/10 Highly Recommended

Cava Bodega, 

Unit 1 Middle Street Mews, 

Middle Street, 

Galway City, 

091 539 884

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

Review: Bastion Kitchen, Athlone

Bastion Kitchen

Athlone, Co. Westmeath

A bank holiday Monday morning drive to Galway may not be everybody's idea of heaven but it became mine after we stopped for brunch in Bastion Kitchen in Athlone. After driving around Athlone for 10 minutes looking for parking I eventually found a spot a little out of the town, adjacent to a busy looking cafe. We decided to have a look and I was instantly sold upon spotting "free range sausage bap" on the blackboard. 

Bastion Kitchen is an intimate cafe with a firm focus on healthy eating. At first I thought that this was the reason for the "Bastion" in the name until I realised that it's located on Bastion Street, a happy coincidence. Despite it's focus it contains none of the pretentiousness sometimes encountered in such establishments and everybody seemed to be equally welcomed; families, couples and lone diners. The walls are adorned with healthy foodie treats for sale and a large coffee sack contains bags of McCabe's coffee, the new darling of the Irish coffee scene.

We took our seats and were handed menu's. I went for the aforementioned Sausage Bap and a double espresso. The espresso was magnificent and while Salamander in Newbridge claim the best coffee in the town (also McCabe's), I think Bastion Kitchen could probably claim the same for Athlone. The Sausage Bap provided the perfect brunch fix. Black pepper and chive sausages with lettuce on an oaty bap with onion relish on the side. The bap was delicious while the onion relish balanced the peppery sausages beautifully. After another double espresso to ward off any driving induced tiredness we were on our way with full, contented bellies.

Brunch Ratings:

Food: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Ambiance: 8/10
Selection: 8.5/10
Value for Money: 8/10

Overall: 8.5/10 Highly Recommended

Bastion Kitchen,
1 Bastion Street,
Athlone,
Co. Westmeath.
087-9721373

Review: Jamie's Italian

Jamie's Italian

Dundrum, Dublin 16

Last Monday, Ali and I headed for Dundrum to see Asif Kapadia's brilliant new documentary "Amy" about the life and untimely death of troubled singer Amy Winehouse. We decided to try Jamie's Italian while there as we had been meaning to for the past couple of years.

Jamie's Italian is part of a chain of restaurants by TV's favourite celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. As expected it is quite rustic in appearance with wooden boards aplenty and large San Daniele hams and garlic hanging from the bar. We arrived around 4pm and were seated promptly. There weren't many dining while we were there but that is probably to be expected at 4 o'clock on a Monday. After a glance at the menu we decided to just go for mains and get the Italian Bread Selection instead of a starter. All of the bread was delicious but I would have preferred the olive oil and balsamic vinegar not to have been pre-mixed.

For mains I went for the Veal Flash Steak - Irish rose veal pounded with sage & prosciutto, served with a spicy tomato salsa. The veal was tender although there wasn't enough prosciutto or sage to add any real flavour. The salsa was delicious and the polenta chips I ordered as a side were magnificent. I found the main course to be overpriced for what I received. €18.95 for 2 thin slices of veal with salsa is exceptionally expensive for the quality on offer while adding €4.50 for the polenta chips makes €23.45 an expensive lunch. We decided against dessert and just had coffees instead.

Overall I found Jamie's Italian a bit of a let down. I had been looking forward to going but unfortunately the food just didn't live up to expectations or the prices charged. 

Lunch Ratings:

Food: 7/10
Service: 7/10
Ambiance: 7/10
Selection: 8/10
Value for Money: 6/10

Overall: 7/10

Jamie's Italian
Unit 1
Pembroke District
Dundrum Town Centre
Dublin 16 
01-2980600

Review: Salamander Coffee House, Newbridge

Salamander Coffee House

Newbridge, Co. Kildare

Bold statements, great coffee and delicious food has Salamander Coffee House making a bit of a name for itself in Newbridge. Upon first entering the cafe last Saturday (during The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Busk and Food Festival) I was greeted with "have you heard we do the best coffee in Newbridge?" Bold and confident it may have been but it sure was correct. After my first take away coffee I decided a sample of the food was necessary, so this morning Ali and myself headed in for breakfast.

Salamander Coffee House is a cosy little cafe on George's Street in Newbridge. It has a few tables downstairs with more available upstairs when busy. There are also a few seats outside. The interior is light and airy with an exhibition by local photographer Charlie Mac currently adorning the walls. The breakfast menu is quite short but has plenty of options including organic porridge, french toast and pancakes aswel as the usual offerings like eggs and bacon, large breakfast etc. I went for the Salamander Large Breakfast without bacon and a flat white. The breakfast consisted of eggs, mushrooms, fried potatoes, tomato and toast (it usually includes dry cure bacon too). Not just the best coffee in Newbridge - It was delicious. The eggs were perfectly cooked with a creamy runny yolk.  The ingredients used were of excellent quality with the tomato being a particular highlight, ripe and sweet. The generous portion of toast with real butter was also much appreciated.

Salamander Coffee House are particularly proud of their coffee and it's easy to see why. It really is excellent and with a good range of choices there is sure to be something for everybody's tastes.

Breakfast Ratings:

Food: 8.5/10
Service: 9/10
Ambiance: 8.5/10
Selection: 8/10
Value for Money: 9/10

Overall: 8.5/10 Highly Recommended

Salamander Coffee House,
2 George's Street,
Newbridge,
Co. Kildare
045-431567

Review: Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Kildare Town

Last Sunday I joined my parents, brothers, granddad and aunt for lunch in Chapter 16 in Kildare. It is part of the Silken Thomas enterprise and is listed as the "jewel of the crown." I had been there a few years ago and enjoyed it but was keen to sample its wears again. The restaurant is particularly lively on a Sunday and it was great to see so many families out enjoying themselves. They offer a competitive Sunday lunch menu with 2 courses for €18.95 or 3 for €21.95. There is a fine selection on the menu and although supplements do apply on steaks there is plenty of other alternatives.

For starter I went for "homemade free-range chicken liver paté." It was strong and gutsy and cut perfectly by the cumberland sauce. I'm so often disappointed by pate's in restaurants being too mild but this was excellent. A great start.

Starter: 9/10

For mains I ordered "pan-fried irish salmon garlic & parmesan crust, chargrilled asparagus, potato gnocchi, roast red pepper & red onion salsa." The salmon was cooked perfectly and retained plenty of moisture. I didn't quite understand the parmesan crust though. It completely overpowered the taste of the salmon and although it was enjoyable I could've been eating any type of fish. The salsa was delicious but the gnocchi were a bit rubbery.

Mains: 6/10

Being a fan of Italian food I got excited when I noticed my favourite dessert on the menu; tiramisu. I needn't have gotten excited at all. Described as a "traditional homemade Italian favourite" on the menu I had been expecting a traditional dish. Instead I got a tiramisu cake. The flavours were decent and it'd be harsh of me to say that I didn't enjoy it. Maybe with the addition of the word "cake" to the menu I would have known what I was in for.

Dessert: 6/10

The service was excellent throughout and we were never left waiting. The staff were all friendly and were great with children too. The ambiance was very enjoyable and although it wasn't quiet, it was great to see so many families out with their children. It is on value that Chapter 16 really shines. €21.95 is exceptional value for a three course Sunday lunch and although I did have some issues with my main and dessert, it was worth every penny of the money paid.

Service: 8/10

Ambiance: 8/10

Value: 8/10

Overall: 7.5/10 

Chapter 16,

Silken Thomas,

The Square, 

Kildare Town, 

Co. Kildare, 

Ireland

Restaurant Round Up

Over the past few weeks I've visited a few cafe's and restaurants for quick meals while working. Here's some of my favourites:

Lennons @ Visual, Carlow Town.
Lennons is a cafe/restaurant attached to the Visual Centre for Contemporary Art and The George Bernard Shaw Theatre. I stopped in for lunch a couple of weeks ago while doing some work in the theatre with Music Generation Carlow. I was surprised by how busy it was on a Wednesday but it became clear why. My Cod and Prawn Pie was magnificent; rich yet fresh tasting with a well seasoned creamy mash on top. It was the perfect lunchtime meal. For my filling main (I couldn't eat a dinner that night) and a glass of wine, I thought €19 was very good value.

Yesterday, Ali and I returned to Lennons for a proper (birthday) lunch. We arrived at 3pm and after confirming with a member of staff that lunch was still being served, we took our seats and were given menus. Fifteen minutes later a very nice lady came to take our order. Some of the dishes were unavailable so we ordered something else instead. Two minutes later we were told that the kitchen was closed as it was after 3 pm. I could have the pie I ordered (presumably because it was, understandably, pre-cooked) but nothing else was available. We decided it was time to go and although we got a "sorry about that," I found it frustrating and annoying. A real pity. We had been looking forward to our lunch.

Honest To Goodness, Dame Court, Dublin 2
Last week I was mixing a gig for Cork's The Hard Ground in Dublin's Odessa Club. After sound-check, all of us starving, we popped next door to Honest to Goodness. I have to admit that I find their ordering system confusing and a little pointless but their food is well worth the hassle. My Neopolitana Pizza was excellent. Homemade and cooked in a wood fired oven upstairs it was by far the most authentic I've had in Ireland.

Swans On The Green, Naas, Co. Kildare.
After a five and a half hour wait in A&E at Naas hospital it's fair to say I left with a hunger that made my right forearm look strangely appetising. Luckily for me, Swans is just around the corner and I popped in for a take away sandwich. My focaccia sandwich with pesto, sun dried tomato and mozzarella was the perfect cure. Deliciously savoury it was joined at the till by some free range sausages (at last I found some) and a block of Gubbeen cheese.

Free Range Sausages - My life is complete again!

Review: Cunninghams, Kildare

Cunningham's

Kildare Town

After a long Tuesday working in the studio I arrived home to be greeted by the most wonderful suggestion...."sure will we go out for dinner tonight?" I was skeptical at first, I had two juicy sirloins in the fridge begging to be put in a sandwich, but there's always tomorrow for that! After a few minutes negotiating on the location of our meal we decided on Cunningham's in Kildare Town. I had been a couple of times before for a quick meal while working but Ali had never tried it.

Cunningham's is an old style cosy bar in the centre of the town. It has a live music venue upstairs which has attracted the likes of Declan O'Rourke, Jack L, Paddy Casey and Aslan recently while the main bar and restaurant area are located on the ground floor. They have a good selection of craft beers and a small wine bar as you walk in. We sat towards the back of the pub as "the snug" around the fire was full. The menu contains plenty of options and should cater to most tastes. Its on the curry front that Cunningham's made its name and I can assure you, from previous visits, they are excellent.

For starter I went for the butterfly prawns with chilli jam. They were delicious, even if they did arrive on a slate! The prawns were tender on the inside with a crispy panko crumb exterior while the jam was the perfect addition to add a little spice to proceedings.

Starter: 8/10

Having tried the curries before (and admittedly loving them) I wanted to ensure that Cunningham's isn't a one trick pony. With this in mind I ordered the beef burger. It was wonderful. A burger can seem like a safe choice but is often a let down as there is nothing worse than an under seasoned over-cooked burger. This was none of them things. The bun was fresh, the onion straws were crispy and delicious while the burger itself was juicy with lots of flavour. I've rarely had a burger as good as this.

Mains: 8.5/10

No matter what our intentions are, we can never go for a meal without having dessert and this was no different. I went for the malteser sundae but sadly it was the only blip on an otherwise fantastic meal. Too much cream, not enough malteser, it was unfortunately highly average, the only thing that was on the night. The service was excellent throughout but the price was exceptional. We paid €73 for 3 courses each, 2 glasses of Montepulciano, 2 glasses of fanta orange, a tea and a double espresso. When you remove the drinks it worked out at roughly €25 for 3 courses which is excellent value for the quality on offer. We will certainly be back.

Dessert: 6/10

Value for Money: 9/10

Ambiance: 8/10

Overall: 8/10 Highly Recommended

Cunningham's Bar,

Main Street,

Kildare Town,

Co. Kildare

(045) 521780

Review: The Ballymore Inn

The Ballymore Inn

Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare

The Ballymore Inn is one of two restaurants in Kildare listed in the latest McKenna Guide (the other being Harte's of Kildare) and is located in the scenic village of Ballymore Eustace, not far from Poulaphouca Lake. After a walk at the lake in the blistering April sun (yep, we're still in Ireland!) Ali and I decided to treat ourselves to lunch in the award winning restaurant.

The Ballymore Inn is light and airy and is especially nice on a sunny day. There is a kitchen shop in one corner selling all sorts of homemade jams, chutneys, pestos and bread while also stocking some nice bottles of vino. Opposite the main door is a small bar which is stocked with a wide range of craft beers to keep even the hippiest of hipsters happy. We were seated close to the door and were given the special lunch menu aswel as the a la carte option.

After a little deliberation we decided to go for the special lunch option of three courses for €25.75. For starter I went with the "homemade duck terrine with warm brioche." It arrived pretty quickly and was presented well. The terrine was beautifully executed and was a little milder than I would be used to. The taste of the duck came through well however and was enhanced by the grape relish. The warm brioche was also delicious although I would have preferred a nice slice of toasted sourdough. A comment must also be made on the fantastic salad dressing, wonderful. Ali's soup of the day (coconut and butternut squash) was also excellent.

For mains we both decided on the fish of the day. "Duncannon cod with stir fried vegetables and roasted red pepper aioli." The fish was perfectly cooked and although the vegetables were a little soft for my liking (they were sliced extra thin) the aioli was the real star of this show. It was magnificent and I would have been just as happy sitting there dipping bread into it! The creamy mash was also delicious, a very enjoyable main.

My dessert of "rich chocolate pots with honeycomb" was exactly as predicted, superb. A rich chocolate base topped with whipped cream and pieces of honeycomb. Simple and delicious. My espresso was also excellent, perfectly balanced.

The service at The Ballymore Inn was quite impressive. Our plates were always cleared away quickly between courses and we were looked after very well. From a price point of view it can certainly be said that The Ballymore Inn is in the upper end of the Kildare price point for lunch although we did find it fantastic value for the quality of food on offer. There are more affordable options with a toastie and soup coming in at a very manageable €10.95 so it can be frequented as a treat or as an every day option. 

Lunch Ratings: 

Food: 8.5/10 (8, 8.5, 9)
Service: 8/10
Ambiance: 9/10
Selection: 9/10
Value for Money: 8/10

Overall: 8.5/10 Highly Recommended

The Ballymore Inn,

Main Street,

Ballymore Eustace,

Co. Kildare.

045-864585

The Ufuud Experience

A couple of months ago I was contacted by a member of the UFUUD Marketing team to see if I would be interested in reviewing their service and some products. I agreed and instantly checked out the site.

The UFUUD website is well laid out and simple to navigate. They sell everything you would expect from an Italian themed delicatessen. There is a large selection of salami and prosciutto along with the usual suspects of pasta, rice, sauces, oils and lots more besides. One of my favourite features is the "Chef's Advice" tab in the product page. Many of the ingredients are unusual and so the tab offers great advice on how to use them.

I placed my order on Tuesday 17th of March (I know I know.....who orders pecorino and spaghettoni on St. Patrick's Day?!) and it arrived on Friday 13th of March. The ice packs used were still frozen and I was very pleased with the temperature of the food. This wasn't such a big deal for me as I ordered mostly pantry items but I would be happy to order any cold meat products.

I decided to order some items that I have difficulty finding here in Ireland. The first thing to catch my eye was a Pecorino Cheese in Wheat Grains. The cheese is magnificent, it is everything you would expect from a Pecorino with a subtle hint of wheat starch in the aftertaste. Also on the cheese front I ordered some Parmigiano Reggiano Cream. This works wonderfully stirred into some pasta or added to a bechemel sauce for lasagna. I also used it instead of butter with mashed potato. Delicious.

I also ordered some giant green lentils and black rice but I have been blown away with my last item. Spaghettoni (thick spaghetti) isn't something most people would get excited about but this is bronze extruded. It basically means that the pasta was pushed through a bronze die to make the shapes. This may not sound that impressive but it leaves the pasta with a rougher finish allowing your choice of sauce to cling to it perfectly.

Overall I found the Ufuud experience very satisfying. The website is easily navigated and the chef's tips tab is a great addition. The quality of the produce is excellent and the price is fair. There is also a live chat available so you can message a member of staff and receive help live in the moment.

Review: Harte's of Kildare

Harte's of Kildare

Kildare Town

During the week of fine weather Ali and myself decided to head to Killinthomas Woods for a walk. It gives me the chance for an added bonus as I can also collect a bag of wild garlic to top up my pesto reserves. Before heading over, both feeling a little peckish, we decided that a lunch detour was in order first. I had been to Harte's for lunch once previously and was very impressed but Ali had never been. As one of only two places in Co. Kildare to be listed in the latest McKenna Guide (the other being The Ballymore Inn) I'll take any excuse for another visit. 

We arrived around half one on a tuesday and to my surprise it wasn't too busy. The staff were friendly from the outset and knew their stuff when it came to the selection of craft beers on offer (Ali was driving!). We were both impressed with the choices on the menu and had a hard time settling on something. I went for the steak sandwich with potato skins and a Red Ale while Ali chose the burger. The steak sandwich was magnificent! Juicy and tender steak on toasted sourdough with sweet onion relish, blue cheese and a mountain of mixed leaves and thinly sliced cucumber....it wasn't the easiest to eat but every bite was worth the mess! The potato skins were crisp and well seasoned while the garlic mayo was smooth and full of flavour. We didn't have the time (or the room) for desserts so we left it at that, wanting more! 

As for the price, €33 may seem a decent amount for lunch but the portion size is very generous and we only required a light supper later that evening. The sandwiches and soups were considerably cheaper so it certainly caters for all needs and budgets. Highly Recommended.

Lunch Ratings:

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

Overall: 8.5/10 Highly Recommended

Harte's of Kildare,
Market Square,
Kildare Town,
Co. Kildare

Review: Brooks Café Bistro, Carlow

Brooks Café Bistro

Carlow Town

A couple of weeks ago, after a morning trip to Carlow Town, Ali and myself decided to sample the wares of Brooks Café Bistro on Tullow Street. Brooks forms part of the Dinn Rí complex which, aswel as housing a couple of bars, is also home to The Tower venue and The Foundry night club. The Café is quite large but still retains a cosy and warm feel. We found the staff very welcoming upon arrival and the service was excellent throughout. 

For lunch both of us ordered the same thing; The Open Sandwich with Myler's smoked salmon & fresh poached salmon with a lemon & herb mayo. It was beautiful. I'm not normally a fan of smoked salmon sandwiches but this was delicious. The fresh salmon and mayo lightened the dish immensely and although it was very filling, it never felt too heavy. Although we hadn't planned on having a dessert we couldn't resist after the great sandwich. Unfortunately my brownie, nor Ali's carrot cake, really achieved the same heights as the savoury offerings. Although they tasted good, both were quite dry and disappointing. My double espresso also left a bit to be desired as it tasted more like an americano, too watery and weak.

Overall we had a very enjoyable lunch at Brooks. The sandwiches were excellent and although the desserts let it down a little, it wouldn't stop me from returning.

Lunch Ratings

Food: 6.5/10 (Savoury 8, Dessert 5)
Service: 8/10
Ambiance: 8/10
Selection: 7/10
Value for Money: 8/10

Overall: 7.5/10 Recommended

Brooks Café Bistro
Dinn Rí
Tullow Street
Carlow.
059 9133111

Review: Blue Ginger

Blue Ginger

Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin

During a hectic day working in the beautiful town of Dun Laoghaire in South Dublin I decided to sample the wears of Blue Ginger, a cafe and restaurant in the centre of town. I had an hour off and with 9 hours remaining of my working day, something substantial was in order. I sat down beside the bar in this stylish restaurant and was immediately tended to by a friendly waitress. Blue Ginger offer a good menu for lunch time diners including soups, salads, mains and even an extended breakfast menu. I went for the "Tiger Prawn Stir Fried Noodles" with a double espresso for after. The prawns were tender and juicy while the portion size was exceptionally generous. There was a decent mix of vegetables and I was happily full after the flavourful dish. The espresso, however, was quite disappointing. I like a strong flavoured espresso but this tasted as mild as an americano. It was a pity but it certainly didn't ruin what was a fine lunch offering.

Lunch Rating:

Food: 8/10
Service: 8/10
Ambiance: 7/10
Selection: 7/10
Value for Money: 8/10

Overall: 7.5/10 Recommended

Blue Ginger
5 George's Street Upper,
Dun Laoghaire,
Co. Dublin.

Review: Butt Millins, Naas

Butt Mullins

Naas, Co. Kildare

Butt Mullins is a deceptively large restaurant located on the Dublin side of Naas town, next to Lawlor's Hotel. There is ample parking in the square out front and it is adjacent to numerous bars, in which you can enjoy a pre or post meal drink. We decided to sample the early bird menu (3 courses for €17.95) a couple of weeks ago. It was the night before heading off on holiday and nobody was in the humour for cooking.

Upon entering the restaurant we were welcomed by the friendly host and shown to our seats towards the front of the restaurant, close to the bar. The menu is quite impressive considering the price and I've no doubts that most people's needs are catered for. For starter I decided to try the "deep fried brie with red onion marmalade and tossed leaves." It arrived exactly as described and was a pleasant dish. The brie lacked salt to bring out a bit more of its delicate flavour but I thoroughly enjoyed the marmalade and the leaves were fresh and flavourful. A solid start.

Starter: 6/10

The solidity continued into the main. "Butts house burger with onion ring, french fries and a topping of garlic mayo, cheese or bacon." It was a generous sized burger and the flavours melded together well. Again I felt that it lacked a bit of seasoning but I was happy that the meat retained plenty of moisture. Another solid dish.

Mains: 7/10 

For dessert I took the simple option; "selection of ice-cream." It was nice if a little bland but was a fine end to a very filling meal. The espresso was a little mild for my liking however.

Dessert: 6/10

The service was friendly but possibly a little too formal. I was surprised that when my mother requested chips instead of the potatoes and vegetables with her main she was told that they don't do substitutions. I understand this stance when it comes to something that is cooked into a dish but surely this should have been catered for.

Service: 6/10

Butt Mullins is a warm and cosy restaurant with plenty of chatter and laughter from surrounding tables. It is a lovely atmosphere in which to enjoy a meal. It is also fantastic value for money. The portions are generous and the food is wholesome. It may not be spectacular but what can one expect for €17.95 for 3 courses?

Ambiance: 8/10

Value for Money: 8/10

Overall: 7/10

Butt Mullins Restaurant

Popular Square,

Naas,

Co. Kildare

(045) 874252

Review: Bistro Nua, Newbridge

Bistro Nua

Newbridge, Co. Kildare

It was a miserable Sunday morning, made even more miserable as we had just landed back from Barcelona and all of us were now harbouring a serious chill in our bones. We had all decided that a Sunday lunch was in order but the question of where to go was beginning to get heated. After 5 days in the Catalan capital, money wasn't exactly flowing and some of our favourite spots were ruled out purely on that basis. I thought to check the Bistro Nua website and copped their 3 course Sunday lunch for €19.95 per person, perfect.

I arrived first to an empty restaurant and although we had only booked for 5, the waiter was very accomadating in extending our table to cater for the 8 that we turned into. I was surprised to see nobody else there and although 2 more couples arrived while we were there, it was tough for an atmosphere to develop. As we were reading our menus the waiter arrived with a few boards of bread. They were wonderfully moist and full of flavour, joined on the board by some butter, basil pesto and roasted red pepper pesto.

For starter I went for the "Duo of Salmon Fish Cakes with Tomato and Ginger Chutney." I found the dish to be generous but somewhat unspectacular. I like to be punched with flavour and this just didn't succeed in that. The chutney was good but leaned too heavy on the aniseed which overpowered the tomato and ginger. The two large fish cakes were well cooked but lacked a little seasoning. The salad was a surprising bonus, the dressing was great and with a good mixture of leaves it was full flavoured and delicious.

Starter: 6/10

For mains I decided on the "Slow Cooked Braised Beef with Champ Mash and Gravy," The beef was tender and the mash was great but I've a feeling the chef may be immune to the power of aniseed! I found the gravy to again be overpowered by the aniseed flavour which was a real pity as it completely overpowered everything else on the plate.

Mains: 6/10

For dessert I ordered the "Vanilla Pana Cotta with a Mixed Berry Compote." The Pana Cotta had a great flavour and was cut perfectly by the compote. A simple and delicious end to the meal. 

Dessert: 8/10

The service was excellent. Our waiter was friendly and helpful and answered any questions we had. The ambiance was a little dead due to the lack of people but I can imagine it hopping on a busy night.

Service: 8/10

Ambiance: 6/10

It is on value that Bistro Nua really stands out. €19.95 for three courses is exceptional value and regardless of a few blips on the starter and mains (which could be rectified by somebody hiding the star anise) it was well worth the money. 

Value for Money: 8/10

Overall: 7/10

Bistro Nua

Georges Street,

Newbridge,

Co. Kildare

(045) 486369

Review: Harrigans, Newbridge

Harrigans

Newbridge, Co. Kildare

On Valentine's night, Ali and myself along with our friends Ana and Padraig went for a meal in Harrigans. It is located on the main street of Newbridge, opposite the Riverbank Arts Centre and consists of a pub to the front with a restaurant towards the back. The restaurant was operating from a special Valentine's menu which had plenty of choice and cost €59.95 per couple for 3 courses.

For starter I went for the "creamy garlic mushrooms with house side salad and toasted garlic ciabatta crostini's." I was expecting the mushrooms to be breaded and fried with a garlic dip (as per the norm) but I really should have read the menu a little better as the word "creamy" at the start would suggest otherwise. The mushrooms were contained in what was like a thick soup that looked far from appetising. They did taste nice however and although I would rather them cooked the usual way, I did enjoy them. The garlic spreading on the crostini was too thick for my liking but the salad was delicious.

Starter: 6/10

For mains I was the only one not to go with a steak on the stone and instantly regretted my decision upon hearing the unmistakable sizzle of a rib eye beside me! Instead I chose the "8 hour braised lamb shank served in its own rosemary jus with colcannon potatoes and roasted root vegetables." The lamb was perfectly tender but I found it and the jus to be lacking in seasoning which let it down a little. The veg and colcannon were cooked beautifully and complemented the dish perfectly.

Main: 6/10

There was no choice for dessert and so we all received an "assiette of desserts served with homemade mixed berry coulis, chocolate and rich dark butterscotch sauces with side selection of fresh fruit." This translated into 3 mini cheese cakes of varying flavour that were all very nice while my espresso was also of good quality.

Dessert: 7/10

I found the service to be a little disappointing on the night but this had nothing to do with the staff themselves. There appeared to be far too few people working ( I saw one man working the floor, while another man shared the floor and bar work) and so we were waiting for the table to be cleared for too long between courses. Our waiter was very pleasant which was a little surprising considering he was trying to serve everyone else too!

Service: 6/10 (no reflection on staff) 

Valentine's is a tough night to judge the value of a restaurant as the prices tend to rise while a limited menu is offered. I found it to be a little expensive for the quality of the food on offer although not extortionate by any means. The restaurant is well laid out with a very comfortable feel and was buzzing on the night.

Value for Money: 6/10

Ambiance: 8/10

Overall: 6.5/10

Harrigan's Bar and Restaurant

Main Street,

Newbridge,

Co. Kildare

(045) 487704

Review: The Cloister, Ennis

The Cloister

Ennis, Co. Clare

The Cloister is a beautiful restaurant which lies within the Ennis Friary Cloistral buildings. The buildings and courtyard date back to medieval times and provide the perfect backdrop to a romantic dinner. During our recent weekend in Ennis, Ali and myself visited The Cloister for dinner and we both agreed, it was the best meal we have had out to date.


I booked The Cloister on the morning of our meal and was a little disappointed to be told that the restaurant was fully booked but, if we still wished, we could be seated in the bar area. Having read numerous good reviews we decided that it was the food that was most important and so went ahead. I needn't have been disappointed however, the bar is as nice as any restaurant I have been in and was also full of diners, creating a cosy atmosphere with lots of chat. The first point to make about this restaurant is that the hosting and service is absolutely flawless. I have never been made to feel as welcome and at no point did the warmth seem over the top or fake. We were seated by the host and immediately approached by a waiter with menus, who proceeded to talk us through the specials.

For starter I went for the special: Duck Ravioli. I was a little skeptical of the dish before tasting as it contained ginger, chilli and spring onion. As a big fan of Italian cooking I am sometimes blinkered as to what goes well with what but this worked fantastically well. The Ravioli were delicate and perfectly cooked while the duck contained within was tender and delicious. The broth was also excellent with just the right amount of heat from the chilli. An excellent dish. Ali went for the other special, Seafood Chowder. Upon finishing the Chowder Ali exclaimed it to be the best thing she has ever eaten. We didn't realise it at the time but this Chowder won silver in the Schweppes Chowder World Cook Off in Rhode Island in 2011. Impressive!

Starter: 9/10

For mains I chose the Pan Roast Rump of Lamb with puy lentil, smoked bacon and celeriac, port reduction. Another superb dish. I ordered the lamb medium-rare and it arrived exactly that. It was succulent, well seasoned and matched perfectly by the lentils and port reduction. The lentils were my particular highlight and I would happily eat a big plate of them with nothing else. We recieved some potato and vegetables between us and everything was delicious although the vegetables were possibly a little too soft for my tastes. That is an exceptionally finicky point though, I couldn't go a full review without just one slight negative!

Mains: 9/10

Instead of dessert I went for the Sheridan's Cheese Choice. I wasn't in the mood for anything sweet and so this proved the perfect way to round out the meal. On the board was a smoked Gubeen, a Blue and a Cheddar with crackers, apple slices, some fig nougat (i think) and a little pear puree. It was exceptional. The apple provided a great hit of freshness especially against the blue while the pear cut through everything, bringing all the cheese to life. A wonderful way to end the meal. My espresso was also top notch, although I may have preferred a more bitter type on another evening.

Dessert: 9/10

I spoke a little about the service earlier and the only thing to add is that if I was ever to decide to open a restaurant, I would send my staff to The Cloister to see how it's done. It was flawless.

Service: 10/10

For the standard of food and service on offer, The Cloister was exceptional value. We paid €99.90 for an A la Carte meal with: 2 starters, 2 mains, 1 dessert, 1 cheeseboard, 1 glass of White Wine, 2 glasses of Red Wine, 1 espresso and 1 tea.

Value: 9/10

Ambiance: 8/10

Overall: 9/10 Highly Recommended

The Cloister,

Abbey Street,

Ennis,

Co. Clare

(065) 6868198

Review: Café Mexicana, Cork

Cafe Mexicana

Carey's Lane, Cork City

I instantly feel better about life upon entering Cork City. My better half lived there while in college and during my many visits I grew to love the rebel city. We headed down just before Christmas to visit Ali's former house mate Aoife and spent the evening at Café Mexicana.

Café Mexicana is located just off Patrick Street, on Carey's Lane in Cork's city centre. It is a vibrant, busy restaurant taking up two stories. It has great decor on both floors which conveys the Mexican feel perfectly. There is plenty of seating available but it would still be advisable to book to avoid disappointment.

For starter I went for the special; Jalapeno Tasters. These are quite simple. Jalapenos sliced, dipped in a light batter, deep fried and served with a garlic sauce. Don't let the simplicity turn you off. They are delicious but are to be avoided if you have an aversion to spicy food. I have no such problem and enjoyed this dish immensely.

Starter: 9/10

For mains we decided on the platter for two between the three of us with a couple of portions of chips and garlic bread. We had an enchilada, a burrito and a chimichanga with various fillings. The platter also contained rice and re-fried beans. Everything was great with the only down point being the re-fried beans. They were a bit bland and under seasoned but the rest of the contents easily made up for this. There was plenty of food here between the three of us and we were contemplating forgoing dessert as we were so full. We soon thought better of that though!

Main Course: 8/10

Being almost completely full, I decided to go for the simplest dessert on the menu. The Azteca is vanilla ice-cream with a rich chocolate sauce and chopped hazelnuts. Simple and delicious while my espresso was also of a high standard.

Dessert: 8/10

We were very well looked after at Café Mexicana. The service was very efficient although there could have been the odd smile thrown in!

Service: 8/10

It is on price that Café Mexicana really stands above the rest. We paid €107 for 1 starter, 1 sharing starter, 1 mains platter for two, 2 portions of chips, 1 portion of garlic bread, 3 desserts, 2 teas, an espresso, half a bottle of red wine and a pitcher of margarita. Great value!

Value: 9/10

Ambiance: 9/10

Overall: 8.5/10 Highly Recommended

Café Mexicana

Carey's Lane

Cork City

(021) 4276433

Review: Dew Drop Inn, Kill

The Dew Drop Inn

Kill, Co. Kildare

The Dew Drop Inn is a "Gastro-Pub" located in the village of Kill, Co. Kildare. Last Thursday Ali and I decided to give it a try for dinner as neither of us had been there for a couple of years.

The Dew Drop is a nice, bright restaurant with comfortable seating and a bar at one end. The bar stocks a fine range of craft beers including Kill's own Trouble Brewing Company Beer. We were seated close to the main door in the restaurant, the only table that wan't reserved. We were handed the large menu's and told the specials of the day. I decided to go for the a la carte menu as the specials are not included in the set menu option.

For starter I ordered the "Chicken Liver Parfait, Pistachio Crumb, Apple and Vanilla Chutney, Toast." It arrived promptly and looked very elegant and appetising. The parfait (or paté to you and I) was a little mild flavoured for my tastes. I'd like to taste more liver and feel they may have overdone the butter here. The pistachio crumb was a nice addition and added to the texture of the dish while the chutney was excellent, cutting through the rich paté perfectly.

Starter: 6/10

For mains I settled on the special: "Pulled Pork Burger." Served on a board in a soft bap with chips, this dish has lots of potential but unfortunately it just falls short on flavour. The pork was tender and the bap beautifully fluffy but the coleslaw and mustard on the burger was a little lost on me. I would've preferred something a little more tart to cut through the pork. Apple with pork is a standard for a reason and I think this burger would've been better served with a dollop of tart apple sauce. I would've been willing to forgive all of this but this dish contained my pet peeve; soggy chips.

Main: 5/10

The dessert was a lot better! "Sticky Toffee Pudding, Nut Crunch, Salted Caramel Ice-Cream." It was delicious. The pudding was just sticky enough while the salted caramel ice-cream was the perfect accompaniment. The espresso was of good quality too.

Dessert: 7/10

The service in the Dew Drop was excellent. Our waiter/waitress were exceptionally helpful and friendly and tended to our every need. The only draw back was the time it took to remove our plates after courses but this is only a small point.

Service: 8/10

As for the price, we paid €69 for 3 courses each (Ali was on the set menu, I was a la carte), a coke, a west coast cooler, a tea and an espresso. Pretty good value especially when you consider that it would have been €63 had I stayed on the set menu.

Value for Money: 7/10

Ambiance: 7/10

Overall: 6.5/10

Dew Drop Inn

Kill

Co. Kildare

(045) 877755