40A Cornmarket Street,

Cork

www.cornstorecork.com

66/67 South Great Georges Street,

Dublin 2.

www.brasseriesixty6.com

The Ross Hotel

Killarney

Co. Kerry

www.theross.ie
 

In a town that has more hotels than any other in Ireland with each offering an array of dining options, how can one restaurant stand out?   It has to be pretty special to attract the spoilt locals along with the many annual visitors that Killarney enjoys.  I liked the contemporary look of the renovated Ross Hotel, but was more interested in seeing what was going on in the Cellar One Restaurant which I heard had become a firm favourite with local "foodies".

So off I went on a Friday night arranging to meet a friend in the Lane Cafe Bar before descending the swirling staircase to Cellar One. The bar was full of friends warming up for the weekend, with Cocktails and Tapas and plenty of lively conversation.  Likewise the restaurant was busy but with well appointed tables no one group intruded on another, and we were spared the noisy bistro atmosphere in favour of a quieter cosy ambiance.  A pianist  played softly and unobtrusively beside the staircase, the colours and decor while very bright and trendy were comfortable also, so the whole thing worked very well indeed. 

There is both a Set Menu which offers excellent value and also a new A La Carte with even more options. The dishes sounded tempting, in fact there were about six starters that I wanted to try including Scallops and Duck Wontons, but in the end I opted for the Monkfish wrapped in Smoked Bacon on a bed of Spinach.  My friend ordered the beautifully presented Goats Cheese atop a Potato & Herb Rosti with Caramelised Figs and Red Wine Jus.  This was a colourful and beautifully balanced starter.    The Fillet of Pork wrapped in Serrano Ham also came with Rosti - this time made with a lovely grated Sweet Potato.  The dish worked well and portion size was perfect.  Sticking with fish, I chose the Seabass which was fresh and moist and I loved the crunch of the Tiger Prawns on the side. 

All the dishes are well thought out and good menu descriptions make for much clearer choices.  But it was the Dessert Menu that came in for particular praise.  While we chose a Berry Crumble and a Tasting Plate of Desserts respectively, had we had more room we would certainly have chosen the cheeses.  A whole page is given to cheese descriptions with Cooleeny, Boile and Wicklow Blue flying the Irish flag, with more unusual Italian Taleggio and British Wenslydale completing the selection.  Tasting Notes accompany each cheese and no French Cheeses or the usual Irish suspects appear.  I loved the originality here, and whoever put this selection together certainly knows and likes their cheeses!

The wine list was well chosen for both quality and value with Pannier Champagne, Michel Torino Malbec and Old Coach Road Pinot Noir all examples of quality wines that are particularly well priced.  Service was friendly, efficient and informed and there was a genuine wish to please.  When we were told the Venison was no longer available and we said we had wanted to order it not least for the accompanying Spiced Baby Pear - lo and behold, our waitress brought us two baby pears compliments of the kitchen!  Now, thats the kind of service I love.

This is a Killarney restaurant well recommended by Hotel Reviews Ireland.  Find out more on www.theross.ie    

Strand Road

Portmarnock

Co. Dublin

www.portmarnock.com 
Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links Enquiries

Why Stay Here?

• Stunning Championship Golf Course.
• Seaside Location yet close to Dublin Airport.
• Historic House with Tasteful Contemporary Decor.

Of course you could not better the location of Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links.  It is really on the sea, with its own private beach, no less.  “Nothing Overlooked but the Sea” they say, and in recent times that really seems to be the case.  You notice it as soon as you enter the Reception area, it is spacious, bright and modern, the rooms are definitely contemporary-chic and yet the traditional Jameson atmosphere remains. The internationally acclaimed Bernhard Langer-designed golf course is one of Ireland's finest Championship Links Courses and is so popular it is open every day of the year bar Christmas Day!

The original house was once owned by members of the Jameson Whiskey dynasty, and the Jameson Bar is a great atmospheric place to relax with good food.  That’s what we did the night we stayed.  Being the middle of the week, the dining options were more casual, and that suited us just fine.

DINING IN THE JAMESON BAR

While the Osbourne Brasserie is open at weekends, and the Cocktail Lounge serves food all day until 9.30, the Jameson Bar is full of historic character and we really enjoyed eating there. Just take a look at the artwork on the ceilings! There is a 3 course dinner menu, and a more casual menu with Burgers, Fish Pie, Fish and Chips and Pasta.  We had a  Cashel Blue and Pear Salad which was a lovely balance of salty cheese and sweet pear. There was a Fillet of Beef which was absolutely sublime, perfectly cooked and bathed in a perfect Red Wine Jus. I had a succulent Fillet of Donegal Seatrout which was a smart foil for the Boston Prawn couscous and Pernod Veloute.  Very good cooking indeed.  A Mixed Berry Creme Brulee served in a Martini glass  was a top dessert.  The wine list was well chosen and our Old Coach Pinot Noir was an elegantly smooth companion to both the meat and fish.

Service was friendly and professional and the layout of the bar, with its different little areas ensures that you can have a private table without being isolated.  The food really was very good and finally we loved the French background music too!

ACCOMMODATION AT PORTMARNOCK HOTEL

Soft turquoise furnishings to blend in with the sea and grass outside the windows with views of both the golf links and the rolling waves of the Irish Sea.  Clever use is made of lighting to add to the calm atmosphere, and yet there is a good desk space for work, a flat-screen television, tea and coffee making facilities and a couple of very comfortable chairs to relax in if you fancy reading a book or merely looking out at the view.

Our room was well laid out, with plenty of lighting options, sockets in sensible places and good mirrors and storage places.  The paintings on the walls were certainly far more interesting and attractive than most, and the whole design was thoughtful and tasteful.  We had all the extras - robes and slippers; tea and coffee facilities; extra pillows and a mini-bar.  The recent refurbishment has certainly lifted the rooms to a very high level of comfort and elegance.

OCEANA SPA

An excellent little Spa is tucked away on the first floor (reception is on the second floor, a bit confusing at first, but you soon get used to it).  A range of treatments include Beauty & Massage, Sports & Injury Rehabilitation and Skincare and Nails.  So golfers can have their muscles and back strain eased out, while beauty and detoxing treatments are all available too. I was not surprised to learn that professional sportsmen are regulars as the treatments are highly professional.  If it is pampering you are after, a luxurious Dermalogica skin specific facial is wonderful, I can vouch for that.  Soft Classical Music in the background, warm and comfortable treatment room, gentle confident therapist - I almost drifted off to sleep.  You can get details of the many treatments available through the hotel or on www.oceana-spa.com

Get more information on the hotel at www.portmarnock.com

Meeting House Sq.,

Temple Bar,

Dublin

www.edenrestaurant.ie

 
  Location is great for a start.  EDEN is right on Meeting House Square in Dublin's Temple Bar, this is perfect when you are in town socializing, shopping, hanging-out, or checking out some interesting movies or music.  A weekend brunch is just perfect for casual catching-up with family and friends.  So, we decided on EDEN, and yes, we were well pleased.  We had a lovley table by the window on one side and we could see what was happening in the open kitchen on the other. Service was attentive and friendly and perfectly timed and there was a great buzz about the place.

 

The menu is perfectly laid out for our Sunday treat.  We had a page of Brunch dishes on one page and a full Lunch menu on another.  There are also great value options, and you can pick and choose whatever takes your fancy as dishes are individually priced with easy combinations available too - like a starter and dessert.  The wine list is well chosen with some lovely wien sby the glass.  So, two of us went for the lunch, while I chose the Steak and Eggs from the Brunch menu. The other two opted for the EDEN Smokies - of course I tasted both of them - and they are a real classic.  I know that they have been on the menu from day one, and are a constant favourite.  We all three decided we would come back for the Smokies alone. 

For their mains, one lady had the slow cooked braised lamb shoulder which was a real hit, and the other like me, went for one of their perfectly aged sirloin steaks.  Veggies were nicely al-dente and were carefully chosen to suit each meat dish, portions were generous and their plates were cleared.  My Steak & Eggs is a real protein filled dish, I do love the poached eggs with a good dash of Hollandaise, but I failed to polish off all the chunky fries as I was leaving space for the cheese board. 

Yes, we did desserts.  I loved the cheese board - served on a slate and including both Irish and French cheeses and some very tasty home-made biscuits and Rhubarb chutney.  We were not doing foodie austerity by any means, and our two desserts were the Dark Chocolate Marquise and the Chilled Cookies and Creme Parfait with twice-baked almond Biscotti. We did linger over our meal for two hours, enjoyed some bubbly and great coffee and throughly enjoyed our Sunday afternoon.  The EDEN Cookbook is full of their favourite recipes to try at home, and is available for sale at the restaurant. They have a great formula at EDEN, we all agreed we would return.  I want to delve more into that Brunch menu, and the Castletownbere Scallops are calling.  I also might nip in for one of their great value lunches next time I am around too, if only for those Smokies.

Highly Recommended. Check it out:  www.edenrestaurant.ie





 

Steamboat Quay

Limerick City

www.clarionhotellimerick.com
Clarion Hotel Limerick Enquiries

Why Stay Here? 

• Super City Centre location.
• Chic Contemporaty Style.
• Excellent food and facilities.
   

It is Ireland's tallest hotel, it is bright and spacious, right on the water, very easily accessed, and the staff are very helpfull and friendly.  Yes, there are lots of reasons to choose this hotel when staying in, or indeed passing through, Limerick city.  And did I mention the wall-to-ceiling glass giving great city views from the bedroom?  We loved our recent stay at this hotel, and judging by the buzz around the place, so do a lot of other people.

ACCOMMODATION AT CLARION HOTEL LIMERICK CITY

Rooms are bright, modern and very comfortable.  Like it's sister hotel, Clarion Hotel Cork City which I had stayed in previously, the most comfortable of beds and the best of linen, pillows, towels and robes mean that you are cossetted in a very comfortable space.  The room is designed with some sensible thought by putting electricity sockets, mirrors and furniture in the correct places where the guest will actually use and appreciate them.  And of course lighting - it is incredible how many hotels get this wrong too!  Not so here though.  The bathroom was spacious, the work desk area was bright and comfortable, the glass wall looking out over the city scape and majestic River Shannon was impressive, and the bed was heavenly!  Everything I needed was at hand, television, mini-bar, iron, hotel sevice directory, heating control and so I was settled in comfortably on the sixth floor. 

DINING AT KUDOS

Sinergie Restaurant, where I had a very good breakfast the following morning, was not open for dinner on the mid-week night I stayed, so I headed for Kudos, the Asian option which is on the ground floor behind the Reception area.  We settled in at a comfortable table by the window overlooking the river and promptly started a conversation with our waiter on  Flying Boats!  My friend Lynda is something of an expert on this subject, to my surprise!  But to the menu - there is an inclusive menu with a choice of five starters or mains, but we decided to choose from the wider A La Carte.  We both wanted the Thai Fish Cakes, but I pulled rank and so insisted I had them while my pal had the Spring Rolls in Filo Pastry.  We both preferred the Fish Cakes, which were really very good indeed.  For mains the menu is divided into Curries, From the Wok, Kudos Combos and Noodles and Rice Dishes. Not deterred by the highest calorie count, she opted for the Ayam Pangang.  This was a fried Chicken Breast in a rich Tumeric batter with a good coconut flavour.  She loved it and polished off the whole lot.  Each dish has the calorie count noted, but she being a keen daily jogger knew that she could handle it!  I opted for the more conservative Salmon with Asian Greens.  We both used the knife and fork rather than the chopsticks, as the dishes we chose would have been difficult to manage otherwise.  The jasmine rice was lovely and light and quite fragrant.  Settling for a coffee after all that, Lynda went on to have the Deep Filled Apple Pie with home-made ice-cream that she raved about.. As I said, she goes jogging daily!  The food is fun, filling and interesting; the service was great, the ambiance was very pleasant, and I would go back there for dinner again without a doubt. 

One important thing about staying in a city hotel is having easy access to parking, and at the Clarion Limerick we had just that.  There is multistory parking right beside the hotel, and even on-road parking outside.  Another thing that stood out from our visit was the friendliness of the staff.  Everybody is really nice at this hotel, and could not be more helpfull.  It is certainly our number one choice when staying again Limerick City. It is in walking distance to all the city attractions, shopping and culture etc.  While it is in the city centre, the fact that it is on the river too gives it a best-of-both-worlds feeling.   Check it out for yourself at www.clarionhotellimerick.com

Carton House Kildare enquiries
Weddings at Carton House Kildare
Carton House , Maynooth , Co.Kildare

Why stay here??

• Home to the excellent Linden Tree Restaurant.
• Stunning design set in 1100 acres
• Championship golf courses and spectacular spa facilities

The approach drive to Carton House is breathtaking – mature trees, waterways, woodland, and golf courses and in the distance sits one of Ireland's oldest historic houses. With incredibly sensitive architectural planning, the addition of over a hundred luxury bedrooms is nestled in behind the old stone walls and connects with the house through light weight glass corridors. The design of this hotel is striking. There is ample parking, the reception area is bright and spacious, and check-in was swift and friendly.

ACCOMMODATION AT CARTON HOUSE

We visit so many hotels throughout the country, and sometimes one stands out as being exceptionally beautiful – Carton House did that for us. Space and light and seamless fusion of the interior and exterior are particularly evident from the moment you arrive. We were warmly greeted in the bright open reception area and escorted to our room through corridors of glass and subtle natural tones. We love being escorted to the room rather than just having an elevator pointed out to us!
The room was lovely. Everything we wanted was there. Free broadband, our own iron and ironing board, hairdryer, tea & coffee tray, robes and slippers, separate bath and power shower, lovely bed linen and chocolates! The room has a glass door that opens out to the beautifully maintained gardens. Perfect for a post-dinner stroll.

DINNER AT THE LINDEN TREE IN CARTON HOUSE

This restaurant is designed in such a way that wherever you are sitting you have a view of the majestic Linden trees that were planted for Queen Victoria's first visit to Carton House 150 years ago!
I had eaten here before and loved the food, and was delighted to return recently with a different companion to experience the fabulous cooking of Head Chef Cathal Kavanagh. On a previous visit I had tasted the succulent duck and the juicy scallops, but on this occasion we both opted for the delights of the sea – and we were thrilled with each dish. Before we began with our chosen dishes we were treated to a fabulous Amuse Bouche of Tempura of Sea Bream which came on a bed of sweet red onion. It was fleshy, light and moist fish in a heavenly batter. It set the scene for the dishes to follow. I had the best ever seared fresh tuna (I like the way the menu states that it is served rare – anything else would be a crime), while my friend had the Grilled fillet of Smoked Mackerel with Salmon Gravalax. He decreed that the delicacy of the salmon gravalax was an excellent compliment to the meatiness of the mackerel. Moving on to our mains, I had the Halibut and himself the Sea Trout and both dishes were fresh, colourful and bursting with flavour. I loved the citrus 'zing' and aromatic fennel which accompanied my dish, while his sailed in on a shrimp broth with saffron foam. Heavenly food. We enjoyed this with a simple bottle of fruity Chianti Classico from Rocca di Montegrossi. Dessert offerings included banana and Coconut Cheesecake; Lemon & Mango Tart; Dark Chocolate Ganache; Farmhouse cheeses and their own Carton House Eaton Mess. I have to admit that we declined the desserts in favour of a coffee as we had been so well fed at that stage. Another visit in the not too distant future should sort that! It is such a pleasure to find food of this calibre in a hotel setting. The Linden Tree is a real gem in the varied world of 'Hotel Restaurants' and merits the highest restaurant praise.

THE SPA AT CARTON HOUSE

While food and golf are central to this fine property, the Spa is a very important part of the relaxing and pampering aspect of a stay at Carton House. Since the first time I visited the Spa has grown to incorporate some very fine AVEDA treatments and products. Aveda facials are renowned for their natural yet very effective anti-aging properties, and so I was delighted to try the Green Science Skin Renewal Facial. It was an experience of one and half hours of pure bliss incorporating Aveda's signature 5-phase massage. Meanwhile my friend was having her Chakras balanced with a thoroughly relaxing massage that she deemed the best back massage she ever had! A short spell in the light-filled Relaxation Room sipping fresh fruit sorbet and reading the newspapers finished off a lovely visit to the spa. It was my birthday, and this was the most perfect gift a girl could wish for - Pampering before the Party!
The next morning, we breakfasted in the same light-filled restaurant and watched squirrels playing among the trees outside. Service was excellent.
Having digested breakfast and strolled around the grounds we later went off for an invigorating swim at the leisure centre.
With easy parking, friendly and attentive service, and standards that showcase the very best of Irish luxury hospitality, Carton House is indicative of the excellent hotels that we at Hotel Reviews Ireland are proud and pleased to highlight. We have visited several times since it opened nearly four years ago, and this is one Irish hotel that just gets better and better.

WHATS TO DO IN THE AREA

The facilities at Carton House are such that there is little need to look outside of the grounds. Activities that can be arranged through the hotel include fishing, horse riding, off road driving, walking trails etc.
Golf: Carton boasts two Championship golf courses, the Montgomerie and the O'Meara.
It is also home to the Golfing Union of Ireland head quarters and National Coaching Academy. The GUI is the oldest golfing union in the world formed in 1861, there is also a golf museum as part of the development.
Carton Estate has Special Area of Conservation Status and is home to a herd of red deer, badgers, otters, foxes, owls, buzzards, kingfisher, hawks, falcons, bats and many rare species.
The estate stretches over two counties, Kildare and Meath and is crossed by two rivers, the Glashnoonareen River and the River Rye.
Historical Interest: Carton House has such a unique history that it is worth mentioning a few details here:
It was built in 1739 by Robert Fitzgerald, 19th Earl of Kildare. Carton was the country residence of the Fitzgeralds.
Carton Estate was lost by the Fitzgerald family in the 1920's when the 3rd son of the 6th Duke sold his birthright to pay off a gambling debt.
In 1949, Lord Brockett of Brockett Hall purchased the estate. His son famously appeared in "I'm a celebrity – get me out of here".
The boathouse is thought to have been built for one of Queen Victoria's visits to Carton. The Fitzgeralds were informed that she had a dream that she was rowing on the lake at Carton so they built the boathouse and commissioned a special boat for her visit.
The tower on the estate is called the Tyrconnell Tower. It was rebuilt in famine times as a famine relief project.

32 Washington Street

Cork City.

www.libertygrill.ie

THE ENGLISH MARKET

CORK CITY.

Killeen House Hotel,

Killarney,

Co. Kerry

Killarney has been Ireland’s most popular tourist town for many years now, and few can deny the beauty of the landscape.  However, it has not traditionally been known as a ‘Foodie Heaven’ or even a good place to eat.  But yet, like many places, it has its ‘little gems’, and tucked away in Aghadoe overlooking the famous lakes of Killarney is one such jewel – Rozzers Restaurant at Killeen House Hotel.

Run by Geraldine and Michael Rosney, their “little hotel” has been a real hit with guests for several years now, many of whom return year after year for their warm hospitality, simple luxury and gourmet food.  And it was the food that brought us there recently where Rozzers proved itself as one great restaurant.
We heard that Chef Paul O’Gorman has been cooking up a storm in his own quiet way for over fifteen years at Rozzers, his reputation had preceded him. So we sat with an aperitif in the bar and studied the current menu which offered 2 courses for €37.50; 3 courses for €47.50 and €55.00 for the Table D’hôte

What to start with - Oysters; Smoked Salmon; Scallops and Prawns; Duck Confit?  Or even a salad or fruit cocktail with a vodka jelly?
After that it was soup, salad or sorbet.  Then the main course of the evening – Monkfish, Rack of Lamb, Chateaubriand; Chicken; Salmon; Fillet of Beef; Duck Breast; or even a Dingle Bay Lobster from the salt-water tank.  There is also a vegetarian option every night.  We duly placed our order, finished our drinks and were shown to our window-side table looking out over the beautifully tendered gardens.

We decided on some really juicy scallops and a very good goat’s cheese salad to start.  While I had a sorbet afterwards, Nessa opted for an exceptionally good Seafood Chowder.  Her Surf ‘n Turf was a prawn covered Petit Fillet that was so tender no steak knife was necessary, while I opted for the lovely meaty monkfish.
The food really was divine, service was excellent, and we even got a glass of Champagne when they heard it was Nessa’s birthday!
We finished up with a really tangy Lemon Tart and some Irish Farmhouse Cheeses.  And as if we had not eaten enough, we then enjoyed some home-made Petit Fours.  It was a very fine dinner indeed, and Rozzers Restaurant justly deserves the many accolades it continues to receive.