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Restaurants |
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Woods Restaurant, Roundwood
Woods Restaurant is a brand new venture in Roundwood, Co. Wicklow. The man behind it, Marino Monterisi is no novice, being the force behind the excellent Bates in Rathdrum. The new restaurant is situated at the Glendalough end of the town in a newly refurbished stone building. Inside you will find Byrne’s bar and Woods restaurant. The décor is contemporary and of a very high standard, with the restaurant finished with polished floorboards, large antique cabinets decorated with artisan food products and large well spaced tables and very nice leather upholstered chairs.  Wine Port Lodge, Glasson, Co. Westmeath.
I was doing a rough a count of how many times I'd eaten in the Wineport Lodge and I came up with the figure of forty-one. Forty of those times the chef was a celebrity cooking for RTE's 'The Restaurant' show, and once was the time I last reviewed it, several years back. Every time I'm there I think it's about time I reviewed it again, but this time I finally got around to it. Wild Spice Indian Restaurant, Gorey
Wild Spice is a very good Indian restaurant situated in Esmonde Street in Gorey. Their food is top notch and they do take away as well. Via Veneto, Italian Restaurant, Enniscorthy.
Via Veneto is a find. Great food unlooked for is always more special, and prehaps I am still shocked to stumble across such a memorable meal. You won't find garlic butter anywhere, or butter for that matter. What you will get is authentic Italian food prepared with love and care, and really you couldn't ask for more. Via Veneto 2, Italian Restaurant, Gorey, Wexford.
I've mentioned my fondness for Via Veneto in Enniscorthy before, so it should come as no surprise that when I heard Paolo Fresilli had opened up Via Veneto 2 in Gorey, I had to go and visit. Uisce Restaurant, Hilton Hotel, Dublin 6
Uisce Restaurant is in the Hilton Hotel, on the banks of the Grand Canal near Charlemont Street. Manager Shane Downey and chef Chad Byrne have tried over the past year to make it more that just a hotel dining room, with innovative menus and prices. It’s fair to say they have succeeded. The Wicklow Heather Restaurant, Glendalough.
The Wicklow Heather is situated in the village of Laragh, just beside Glendalough, which surprisingly is the second most visited tourist site in Ireland after Blarney Castle. Unlike other tourist hotspots though, Glendalough is unspoilt, and that goes for the Wicklow Heather as well – honest, good food at value for money prices. The Step House Hotel, Borris, Co. Carlow.
The Step House Hotel is a family run business that has expanded to become a very stylish boutique hotel, situated in the very pretty heritage village of Borris, in Co. Carlow. The Step House has delightful views over the Blackstairs Mountains and in their Cellar Restaurant, a brilliant young chef called Alan Foley. The Riverside Restaurant, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare
The Riverside Restaurant is in the village of Kilcullen. A beautifully decorated dining room looks out over the river, and the food offering is excellent. Paolo recently visited and liked what he found. The Old Stone Bar and Grill, Restaurants Dingle
It seems that the whole economic disaster has been a boon to the dining classes, with more restaurants offering fabulous value for money on their menus, while any that opened during the recession have had this frugality built in. One such is The Old Stone Bar and Grill in Dingle, Co. Kerry. The Morrell Restaurant, Naas.
The Morrell restaurant is located in the grounds of the stunning Palmerstown House estate in Johnstown, County Kildare and is fast becoming the leading fine-dining restaurant in the region thanks to its classically designed interior and Head Chef Ciaran Cunningham’s innovative style. The Ice House, Pier Restaurant, Ballina.
During a break in filming, Paolo and Tom Doorley decide to head West to The Ice House in Ballina. Even under the professional eye of Ireland's two top food reviewers, the Pier Restaurants stands the test. Here is a what they had to say. The Gourmet Burger Company, Ranelagh Restaurants
The burger has undergone a bit of a Renaissance in the last few years. The day’s of the horrible frozen burger and soggy bun have been left behind by the new generation of Burger restaurant, where organic beef is served with sour dough buns. The Gourmet Burger Company is leading the way. The Gallops Bar and Restaurant, Julianstown, Co. Meath.
The Gallops Bar and Restaurant is in Julianstown, in Co. Meath. It is only a five minute drive from the M1, and is on the roadside in Julianstown village. It has recently changed hands and new owners Clare and Pat Dooley are really trying to put it on the culinary map. A terrific Sunday lunch looks like they are succeeding. The Counter, Custom Burgers, Dundrum Town Centre.
The Counter in Dundrum Town Cenyre’s Pembroke Quarter has a novel twist on the gourmet burger scene. Paolo ventured there during the big freeze of 2010. The Cornstore Restaurant, Limerick City
Situated in the busy Thomas Street area of Limerick City, The Cornstore occupies an historic, and completely renovated three storey wine store right in the heart of this urban renewal centre. The Brehon, Killarney, Co. Kerry
Located across from Killarney’s National Park, Danu at The Brehon Hotel have a really interesting menu with a lot of dishes that really catch the eye. The Brass Monkey Restaurant, Howth
The Brass Monkey Restaurant is the latest addition on the West Pier in Howth, and is a new venture for John Aungier of The Oarhouse, and business partner Susan O’Reilly. It is half wine bar, half restaurant with a casual feel and plenty of atmosphere. The menu is divided equally between meat and fish, and the prices reflect the times. The Boardwalk Bar and Grill, Lapps Quay, Cork
The Boardwalk is a large premises, and like it’s name suggest it is half bar and half restaurant. There is a really long bar that snakes around towards the back while the décor is modern contemporary with lots of dark wood and leather seats. Tables are well spaced and glass wear and linens are very high quality. This is an un-ashamed American style steakhouse, jumbo shrimp cocktails and steaks meet cocktails and pints. Temple Spa, Garden Room Restaurant, Moat Co Westmeath
Temple Spa has been a hideaway for those in the know for years. A recent expansion and the opening of the restaurant to the public, makes this utopia more accessible. Organic produce, fine meats and seafood prepared with care and simplicity and served with flair make it a winner, but do try to stay over if possible, the treatments and general ambiance make Temple Spa very special indeed. |
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Special Offers
 Since enjoying a transformation back in March, One Pico is packing them in for what is probably the best value lunch in the City, with two courses on offer for €19.95 and Three for €25. The decor is fab, food brilliant and the value truly surprising. Don't miss it, this can't last forever.
We love Seargrass in Portobello. Sean is one of the city's most talented chefs and is constantly coming up with new dishes and tastes to tantilize. Well now he has done it again with the new Platai Bia menu.
This is one of the best deals we have come across, not least because the items on the menu are not what you expect on a cut price menu - duck, rack of lamb and good fish dishes all appear. Telephone +353 (0) 41 9835410 or e mail info@scholarshotel.com.
Great value lunch, 2 courses €9.95...
Fabulous Indonesian food, Early bird €18, full dinner at only €25.,
Phone for details +353 (01) 6710362  Have You Tried? 
The Step House Hotel is a family run business that has expanded to become a very stylish boutique hotel, situated in the very pretty heritage village of Borris, in Co. …  
During a break in filming, Paolo and Tom Doorley decide to head West to The Ice House in Ballina. Even under the professional eye of Ireland's two top food reviewers, … 
Cafe Mao in Dundrum is the big sister of the other two, more space over two floors, same good food and service. |