Bar 8, Dock Road, Galway

Review

Bar 8 proprietor Tom Sheridan and chef Jess Murphy may have finally put the gastro in pub.

Bar 8 is situated on the waters edge with a big picture window affording great views of the Galway docks. Bar 8 has a stylish, funky feel, while being un-pretentious. Chef Jess Murphy has followed her dream halfway around the world. Originally from New Zealand, she has worked in London, and spent two years with Kevin Thornton during the days when the restaurant had two Michelin stars – this lady can cook.

The menu is completely based on sourcing the freshest local ingredients and treating them with respect and simplicity. Mainly seafood, the menu changes daily, completely designed from what comes in that day from the local fishermen.

Since the menu changes so often, we will just give you a flavour of what you can expect. The menu is short, usually with about five starters, so you could chose from salt and pepper squid, caught locally, hand cut chips and dips, dilisk, cabbage and Coolatin cheddar Cork pies or leek boxty with mushrooms and blue cheese. All of these are priced between €4 and €8.50.

The main courses might include line caught fish finger sandwich, Galway bay mussels or naturally smoked haddock fishcakes with cider and cream. There are always several vegetarian options and steak and chips available for the committed carnivore. The value continues with the main dishes costing from under a tenner to €19.50 for the steak. All the meats used are as free range as they come – their poultry is from The Friendly Farmer, while the lamb comes from a small co-op of hill farmers in Co. Mayo, who very sensibly are finding outlets for their products directly.

The desserts are all homemade and are priced at €4.50, while the whiskey truffles at €1.50 are to die for. Obviously, there is a full bar, and the house wine is from €3.50 a glass. The bottles range from €21 to €27, with Prosecco at €19.50.

Britain has it’s fair share of pubs serving great food, and one recently was a finalist in Gordon Ramsay best restaurant competition. If he is ever down Galway docks, I think he will find something really special. Incredible food from a talented chef at prices verging on the ridiculous for food of this quality.