The Cafe @ Ballyseedy
Ballyseedy Garden Centre
I DECIDED to travel out of town this week for a bite to eat. Not too far out mind you.
I’ve been out to Ballyseedy Garden Centre’s Cafe once before and it was only for a coffee, but it really is a nice place to visit.
In the large complex is Meadows & Byrne, Edinburgh Woollen Mills, Seancara Health food store, Designer landscapes, Steeltech Sheds, Beaver Log Cabins, Polydome Glasshouses and, my reason for the visit, The Cafe @ Ballyseedy.
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I saw it at its best last Thursday when I drove out there in the glorious sunshine, into the spacious car park and walked into the airy interior.
The Cafe overlooks the main road but between that is a children’s playground so you can eat while keeping an eye on the kids.
I had heard before from a few people that the food was good but overpriced, but from what I could see the mains were only about 50 cent dearer than lunch mains in some of the bars, cafes and hotels in town.
The Cajun Chicken Burger (€11.95) was sold out (it was 2.20pm) and I didn’t go for the Ballyseedy Seafood Pie or the Deep Fried Fresh Hake and Chips (all €11.50).
The goats cheese bruschetta looked delicious but I decided to go for an open ham and coleslaw on brown bread (€5.95) because the ham looked so good.
I asked for a side order of noodles too (€2.25) just in case it wouldn’t fill me. Big mistake.
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As you can see from the photo, it was a huge portion and I scoffed it all because it was so good. The ham was Christmas-esque in its loveliness while the coleslaw tasted gloriously fresh and not too ‘mayonnaisey’.
It was served on two thick, fresh slices of brown bread and came with a side salad. The waitress was also very friendly and could’t do enough for me.
I followed it, as usual, with a good cappuccino (€2.60). I found the cafe to be good value in attractive surroundings and I’ll be back very soon.
4/5
