Georgina Campbell's Ireland - The Guide
Review
Welcoming, smartly black-uniformed staff are quick to offer menus, tables are set formally with quality cutlery, lovely glasses and linen napkins and an ornate tealight holder – all combining to make arriving guests feel confident of an enjoyable meal ahead.

Chef Enda McDonagh brings experience in some fine kitchens, including Ashford House and Newport House but don’t expect his menus to be too high-fallutin’ – this is a restaurant for everyone, with popular dishes like potato skins, tiger prawns, Caesar salad and stuffed mushrooms featuring among the ten starters alongside the less usual roast quail and a house specialty of seared king scallops with Clonakilty black pudding and mango & white truffle rouille.

And, although there will be some surprises among the several fish dishes and three imaginative vegetarian options, the 14 main courses also list ever-popular steaks (dry-aged sirloin and fillet), a homemade burger and a couple of chicken dishes including chicken tagliatelle.

The cooking is quite hearty and the pricing – around €5.50-8.50 for starters and €13.50-€25 for mains – seems fair; one side order is included in the price, extras are €4 each. But, bearing the generous portions in mind, don’t forget to save some room for dessert - it could well be the highlight of your meal.

Chocolate marquise is very good and duly decadent, but the apple crumble with crème anglaise and vanilla ice comes especially recommended – sounds simple enough, but it’s the star turn. Made to order in a delicate pate sablé case baked blind and egg-washed, it is filled with soft but chunky apple and sultanas, with a hint of cinnamon and baked topped with a crumble made with brown sugar and walnuts. Now that’s finesse.

Georgina Campbell's Ireland - The Guide
Georgina Campbell Guides is a small publishing company specialising in Irish food and hospitality that was established in 1997 by Georgina Campbell, the well-known food & travel writer. The Irish company’s flagship product is Georgina Campbell’s Ireland – the Guide (All The Best Places to Eat, Drink & Stay).The Guide has earned recognition as the definitive guide to Irish hospitality.