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O’Donnell’s Restaurant And Bar

Mounthawk

IRISH summers, eh?

I had great intentions of going somewhere else on Friday to do my weekly review but the weather had other plans for me.

So with my wipers working frantically to prevent me from ploughing into the car in front of me, I abandoned the plan to park in  the town centre and walk to my intended cafe. Instead I did an about turn to head to somewhere where I could park outside the door.

I got to O’Donnell’s and was lucky enough to get a parking space right outside but it didn’t matter as I got soaked running the ten yards to the door.

Either many people had the same idea as me, or O’Donnells is always packed for lunch. I expect the latter as it’s a lovely spacious bar with decor not unlike that other fine establishment, Gally’s, on the other side of town.

Dark woods, cream, velvet and brown leather seating and plants interspersed throughout the long bar make it a cosy spot for lunch or evening meals. I hear they do well during sporting occasions too.

I managed to get a seat in the corner by the window to peruse the menu.

It has pretty much anything you’d need in a bar/restaurant with salads, sandwiches, paninis, pastas, a large range of starters and main courses and, of course, the lunch specials of the day.

Among the six specials were Lamb Liver and Bacon (I was severely tempted), Roast Lamb, Grilled Cod, Fish and Chips and Baked Breast of Chicken.

I opted for a light lunch in the form of the “Prawn Salad, Served In A Classic Marie Rose Sauce On A Bed Of Lettuce With Brown Bread And Lemon Wedge” (€8.50).

It came promptly from a very polite and friendly waitress. The only problem I had with the dish is that there was far too much Marie Rose sauce. It drowned out the taste of the prawns, which was a shame – but the sauce itself was good.

The salad was great with bits of carrot, cucumber and tomato mingling with the lettuce and the brown bread was delicious.

A good cappuccino washed it all down and the bill came to €11.

My accidental visit shows every cloud does have a silver lining.

3.5/5