Claret’s Bar
Fels Point Hotel
THE Fels Point Hotel was a different place on a sunny Tuesday afternoon compared to when I was last there four weeks before.
That was the night Maria Walsh was selected as Rose of Tralee and the hotel was full of revellers, journalists and friends of the Roses out enjoying the last night of the festival.
Claret’s Bar in the hotel was deathly quiet when I visited at 2pm with the lunch crowd, obviously, gone back to work.
I took a look at the lunch specials on the way in which were ‘Roast Lamb, buttered mash and red wine jus’ for €12.90 (yikes!), steamed mussels with lime and ginger garlic sauce and garlic croute (€12.50 (gulp!) and buttered-tossed gnocchi ratatouille provencal and garlic bread €10.90.
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The mussels and lamb would want to be pretty amazing for that price on weekday lunch menu, but I passed and took a seat to peruse the regular menu.
Unfortunately, the prices for mains were still around the €12 mark which is pretty steep. I will accept that descriptions for dishes like Atlantic Cod, Pad Thai, Chicken and Chorizo Penne Pasta and Salmon and Tiger Prawns were mouth-watering but still…
Anyway I decided on an open smoked salmon served on homemade brown bread, smothered with egg mayonnaise, tomato and crispy lettuce. At €9.95, only a vegetarian tortilla wrap was cheaper (€9.50).
The salmon/egg interface part of the description piqued my interest. Soon after I ordered, it arrived and I was not disappointed.
The sandwich came with the salmon smothering the egg mayonnaise rather than the other way round, while there was plenty of both on top of the delicious bread. I was surprised at how well this odd couple worked together.
I cleaned the plate it was so good.
It was only when I got home and looked at the receipt did I realise the bill came to €13.20. This means the cappuccino I had after lunch cost me €3.25, which was surely a mistake, right?
Anyway, I had a very nice lunch and the sandwich was good value for money too for what I got.
The coffee on the other hand…
3.5/5
