Tag Archives: restaurants

Entertainment, News

PHOTOS: Having Fun In The Sun At Tralee Bars And Restaurants

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Aziza Asmatullayeva (centre) celebrating her birthday with Olivera Ivkovic, Louie Ocao, Donna Bun and Emer Hayes at The Ashe Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

WE’VE been blessed with the weather these past couple of evenings and it made heading out for a drink or a bite to eat a much more pleasurable experience.

The crowds were out in force on Friday night with Skelper Quane’s revamped outdoor facilities persuading large numbers to head west of the bridge to the Blennerville hostelry.

The Meadowlands new, stylish terrace looked amazing when we visited and The Ashe Hotel’s outdoor space was buzzing.

In town, we saw that The Klub at Kerins O’Rahillys was flourishing in the sunshine, An Cearnóg and The Fiddler Bar ensured a lively Square while The Huddle Bar had all their outside tables occupied with folk enjoying the atmosphere. Scroll down for photos…

Marie Woulfe and Keeva O’Sullivan at The Meadowlands Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Morna O’Halloran and Sheila Kelly at The Meadowlands Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Gary Foley and Shauna Conway at Skelper Quane’s on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

Catherine Browne, Leah Browne and Katie Crowe at Skelper Quane’s on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Ciara Bowler and Ciara Landers at Skelper Quane’s in Blennerville on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Ciara Hennessy and Jack Stuart at Skelper Quane’s in Blennerville on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Chloe Casey and Ally Parker at The Fiddler Bar on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Brian Daly and David Lane at The Fiddler Bar on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Chris O’Brien, Donna Roche, Emer Casey, Peter Murphy and Ciara Ryan enjoying a drink at The Huddle Bar on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Alusin Jah, Rebecca O’Sullivan, Lydia Mangan and Seán O’Sullivan at The Huddle Bar on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Lisa Delaney and Francis Kane at The Huddle Bar on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
In front; Kim Greene, Rachel O’Connor and Jessica O’Connor. At back; Jenny Power, Emma Herlihy and Gráinne Howard at The Klub at Kerins O’Rahillys on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Patrick Beer and Martina Griffin at The Klub at Kerins O’Rahillys on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Mary Griffin, Helena O’Connor and Michael Griffin at The Klub at Kerins O’Rahillys on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Joanne Bowler, Shauna Lynch and Mairead Lynch at The Klub at Kerins O’Rahillys on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Tim Landers and Karen O’Connor at The Klub at Kerins O’Rahillys on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
In front; Matthew McDonnell, Fayth Efegbare and Sarah Egan. At back; Emily Heaslip and Holly O’Sullivan at The Klub at Kerins O’Rahillys on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
DINING OUT, News

Dawson’s Restaurant On The Mall Announces Closure After 26 Years

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IT will be missed.

A mainstay for lunchtime diners for over a quarter of a century, Dawson’s Restaurant on The Mall, (located within Heatons) has now closed.

The announcement was made on the business’ Facebook page yesterday. It read;

“After 26 wonderful years in business, we have taken the decision to retire. We want to thank all of our loyal customers, amazing staff and suppliers for their friendship and support. Bless you all. Nuala & Harry.”

The restaurant was hugely popular in Tralee and its location provided a great view of The Mall an Denny Street. The food was pretty great too! We wish them well in their retirement.

DINING OUT, Entertainment, News

Four Kerry Restaurants Make Prestigious Top 100 In Ireland List

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Daroka in Ballybunion.

THE annual famed list of restaurants from John and Sally McKenna has just been revealed for 2017 and features four Kerry businesses.

The list, which was first compiled in 1992, is eagerly awaited by those in the trade and is a huge endorsement for restaurants who make the 100.

The Kerry ones listed are Daroka in Ballybunion; Idás, Dingle; Global Village, Dingle and Mulcahy’s Restaurant, Kenmare.

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Apart from restaurants, 2017’s 100 Best includes, nine pubs, one restaurant with two tables (Dublin’s Assassination Custard), a garden centre and a bakery in Co. Wicklow. It leaves out several of the country’s Michelin Star restaurants.

Business/Property, DINING OUT, News

Two Kerry Restaurants To Feature In Michelin Guide For Ireland And The UK

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Giovannelli in Killorglin

RESTAURANTS in Dingle and Killorglin will be included in the Michelin Guide for Ireland and the UK after they were awarded a ‘Bib Gourmand’ by the world famous culinary bible.

The Chart House in Dingle and Giovannelli in Killorglin picked up the ‘Bib’ award which is a separate category to the Michelin Star which recognises those establishments that offer good food at affordable prices of €40 or less for a three-course meal.

The Chart House Dingle
The Chart House, Dingle.

Neighbours in Limerick and Cork also picked a Bib award at Adare restaurants, 1826, and Fishy Fishy in Kinsale.

Twelve restaurants on either side of the border picked up a Michelin Star in counties: Dublin, Wateford, Galway, Kilkenny, Armagh, Antrim and Down.

DINING OUT, Entertainment

Out To Lunch: Wrappers Delight On The Mall

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Daily GrindThe Daily Grind

The Mall

IT’S all building up now!

With a week to go until the Festival, I found myself struggling to get a parking space around town. Even The Brandon car park, where I eventually left it, was almost full – a sure sign we’re at the height of the holiday season.

I made my way down Denny Street and noticed the flower beds were left up for an encore after their star performance for the Entente Florale judges and were looking magnificent. They really add to the town and it’s pity they can’t be left there for a longer spell.

I decided to pop into another star performer in a stellar cast of Tralee cafes; The Daily Grind.

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Since it opened some years ago it has been feeding hordes of hungry office workers with its great selection of specials, sandwiches and wraps.

In a previous life, I regularly popped in there for a takeaway lunch and always left with their delicious brie and avocado wrap.

The place wasn’t as busy as it normally is – in other words I was able to find a table indoors rather than in the smoking area – but it was still bustling with young families, teenagers and workers on their lunch.

The specials menu contained lasagne, ham and cheese quiche, turkey and ham roast carvery and shepherd’s pie amongst others (all a reasonable €8.50) but being excited about festival season, I went for the topical ‘King Puck’ hot wrap (€5.95).

This contained ‘crumbly goats cheese, with roast peppers, spring onions and tomato, sprinkled with olive oil dressing’.

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It wasn’t long before it appeared – the service as polite and prompt as I remember – and it looked good. I’m a big fan of goats cheese and it melted beautifully into the veg. It came with a position of tortilla chips which I found a bit tasteless.

If you serve those type of chips I think a small ramekin of salsa or cream dip is needed. Otherwise a small dressed salad would work better with the wrap.

Anyway, like I said, it was a good wrap and the cappuccino (€2.50) that followed was even better.

3.5/5

DINING OUT, Entertainment

Out To Lunch: Fish Trio Hits The Heights At Ballyroe

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Ballyroe hotelBallyroe Heights Hotel

I’M cheating a bit this week as it’s an evening meal review, rather than a lunch.

I was covering a story at the hotel on Thursday night so I decided to have a have a bite to eat while I waited to do my job.

The hotel always sends in the specials of the day for our ‘Deals of the Day’ section of the website so I know they always have some great lunches on which remain on the menu right through to the evening.

It was a lovely sunny evening and I took a table in the bar next to the window. The hotel really is beautifully positioned on such days to capture the stunning views of Tralee Bay.

The menu is immense with every kind of sandwich, wrap, pasta, steaks, dessert, starter and main course to please any palate.

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The specials were ‘roast stuffed loin of pork served with an Apple and Sage gravy (€12); Trio of Salmon, Cod and Smoked Haddock served with a White Wine and Dill Cream (€12);  Chicken Breast stuffed with black pudding wrapped in crispy bacon served with Black pepper sauce (€12) andSauté of Vegetables in a fruity Provencal sauce served on a bed of tagliatelle (€11)’.

At €12 the specials are a bit pricey but I held judgement on value until after the meal. I plumped for the fish  – because, well, I love fish – and enjoyed the view until I was served. It was quite busy in the bar too at that time (7pm), with many families enjoying their holidays.

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The fish arrived and came with a sliver of the smoked haddock on top of the cod, which was embedded into the salmon. The cream sauce was really tasty and complimented the dish very well. The trio of fish were all good and it was a big portion too. It came with three scoops of mash with assorted carrots, green beans and parsnips.

It was a very good meal and despite the €12 tag is was worth it. A good cappuccino followed and then it was off to work. The bill came to €14.60.

3.5/5

DINING OUT, Entertainment

Out To Lunch: Dawson’s Doesn’t Disappoint

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dawsons_1Dawson’s Restaurant

The Mall (Above Heaton’s)

MY attitude to Dawson’s is a bit like my attitude to the TV series, Star Trek: The Next Generation.

When I was in college years ago my flatmates would insist on watching it and I’d groan ‘Oh God, not this again’. Five minutes later I’d be hooked on whatever shenanigans Captain Picard and Co would be getting up to on Planet Zog or  wherever they were.

Similarly, whenever my wife or work colleague suggested we go for lunch there, ‘Star Trek’ syndrome with kick in and there would be a degree of reluctance for a reason I can’t put my finger on. Yet I always left satisfied.

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It was with this in mind that I took the trip upstairs from the ground floor of Heaton’s for a bite to eat. Dawson’s is the type of place  where you take your tray, get in line and order from the waitress/waiter behind the counter.

This is grand once it’s quiet, but if it’s busy you’re playing a kind of ‘seat lottery’. The suspense is killing as you try to get to the end of the line to pay for your food before all the seats are taken.

The specials menu is on a blackboard on the way in and they had an impressive selection.

My pick of the bunch were Beef Bourguignon with rice and garlic and herb croutons; Homemade spring onion lamb burgers and brie, feta cheese, cherry tomato quiche with a choice of three salads all priced at €10.95

But I just fancied a sandwich, so I lined up and asked for the open salmon with three salads for €7.20.

I chose sweetcorn, broccoli and noodle salads and she put them on the plate next to and over the brown bread and salmon.

Right, I need to ask this: what is the story with the small plates?

The open sandwiches need, no, dammit they demand, a bigger plate to hold the food.

I ended up having to shepherd the food back into the plate with my knife and fork as if my noodles were wandering worms trying to escape (I must have looked odd to fellow diners giving short sharp whistles as I did this, like some deranged auditionee for ‘One Man And His Dog’).

Having said that, it was, of course, delicious and great value for money. The noodles had a tasty dressing, as did  the crunchy broccoli and the sweetcorn was, er, sweet.

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Dawson’s is also in a great location for people-watching in the Mall, Denny Street and Castle Street below, if you can get a seat by the window. I finished off with an Americano at €2.50.

I’ll return less reluctantly the next time…and ask for a bigger plate.

3.5/5

DINING OUT, Entertainment, News

Tralee Business To Provide A Gluten Free Picnic For Music Fans

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Doireann Barrett (left) of The Gluten Free Kitchen with Laura O'Driscoll. Doireann will have a stall at the Electric Picnic music festival at the end of August. Photo by Gavin O'Connor
Doireann Barrett (left) of The Gluten Free Kitchen with Laura O’Driscoll. Doireann will have a stall at the Electric Picnic music festival at the end of August. Photo by Gavin O’Connor

IT’S not just musician Gary Keane that’ll be flying the flag for Tralee talent at this year’s Electric Picnic (see story here).

Local business, The Gluten Free Kitchen, has been invited to showcase and sell its products at the famous festival.

Doireann Barrett, who owns and runs the cafe, was contacted by well known food critic Sally McKenna who personally invited her to come sell at the festival.

“It’s a great thrill to be asked to come on board, we have to set our minds set now preparation now, which will be difficult because we have never done a music festival before,” said Doireann.

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“Thankfully other local businesses are giving us a helping hand” she added.

The Gluten Free Kitchen is based in Ivy Terrace and has been in operation going since 2012.

“We’ll be able to cater for celiacs at Electric Picnic along with health-conscious gig-goers too,” said Doireann. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase our brand nationally and to network,” she added.

The Kitchen will set up in an indoor marquee called ‘Theatre of Food’ from 10am to 8pm, where they will be alongside celebrity chefs such as Darina Allen and Clodagh McKenna who will be doing food demonstrations.

Doireann and one other staff member will head up for the festival in Stradbally Co Laois. It won’t be all work as they will get all access passes for the duration of the music festival.

 

 

 

News

The Brogue Inn To Reopen Within A Week

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Work coming along nicely on The Brogue on Thursday afternoon.

ONE of Rock Street’s most famous landmarks, Kirby’s Brogue Inn, is putting the finishing touches on its much anticipated reopening since it closed its doors in April 2013.

On Thursday they were doing work on the slates that overhang  the front entrance of the bar.

“We’ve literally wiped the slates clean!” was the message from their official Facebook page.

The famous pub will be open again within the next week which is a welcome boost to employment in the town with numerous jobs being created.

Inside, the new Brogue it has been completely refurbished with both the upstairs restaurant and the bar area downstairs getting a makeover.

They will open sometime next week with breakfast at 9am and will also be serving customers carvery lunches throughout the day.

On weekends, live music is big on the agenda with Midnite Cafe the first band to plug in next Friday night, July 25.

Check out their Facebook page here for more.

DINING OUT, Entertainment

Out To Lunch: Retaining That French Flair In Courthouse Lane

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Chez Christophe,

Courthouse Lane

Chez ChristopheI HAD been to Chez Christophe before and,  despite only staying for a very fine coffee, I promised to return.

That was over a year ago.

It was quiet then as it was only open a few weeks so that was to be expected, especially since it’s off the beaten track across the way from Polymath Bookshop.

The scene was different when I arrived at the bistro this week.

The substantial number of customers was a mix of young families, couples and office workers looking for a continental oasis from the busy streets down the lane.

The interior has the definite air of a French cafe/restaurant with Gallic tunes coming from the sound system, tables at the back set with wine glasses with maroon and white wall-covering paper giving the place an informal sophistication.

If the place was a French expression it would be a slight shrug of the shoulders, a raised eyebrow and a slight exhalation through the lips – “oui, je suis cool”.

That’s all very well once it’s not all surface and no feeling, but Christophe, on the evidence of my visit, excels at what he does.

The menu is simple; soup of the day, quiche, three specials of the day (€9.50),  a cheese plate, salad plate, cold meat plate, goat’s cheese risotto, fish cake, lamb burrito, fish cake, smoked salmon salad and French omelette. And that’s it.

The specials were home-made burger, loin of bacon and, my choice, chicken supreme with bacon and mushroom sauce.

It arrived within minutes from the smiling waitress and it looked as good as the surroundings.

The chicken breast was moist in a light sauce, while the mushrooms and little pieces of bacon were delicious. It was served with boiled white rice and a salad of tomatoes, sundried tomatoes, cucumber, beetroot and egg.

The whole dish was excellent and the cappuccino that followed emulated it.

For €12, it was up there with the best since starting the column.

4/5

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DINING OUT, Entertainment

Out To Lunch: A Fine Feed At Stokers

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rsz_stokers_lodge_1Stokers Lodge

Upper Edward Street

IN a former life I regularly lunched at Stoker’s Lodge.

It was ideal for people whose workplace was located outside of the town centre and didn’t want to hassle of finding a parking space. There was always a good crowd there and the food was good.

Not set-the-world-alight-fantastic, but, y’know, good. That was a long time ago and having dined there again during the week, I found not much has changed.

However, the first thing I noticed on entering was that it was surprisingly quiet for a lunchtime. I know Stoker’s is a big place and there was about eight or nine tables taken up with happy diners, but at the same time it wasn’t that busy.

The decor hadn’t changed a bit in the seven years since I was last inside the doors, with pine floors and furniture giving it an old-style, traditional feel.

One of the main reasons I used to go to Stokers all those years ago was the open sandwiches which came in a plate overflowing with various salads.

I spotted ‘open sandwiches’ on the regular menu (which also looked the same as in 2007), ordered one of the chicken variety (€6.95) from the friendly waitress and duly waited. When it arrived it was like old times.

Let’s see…there was curried rice salad, coleslaw, potato salad, pasta salad, grated cheddar cheese and a regular salad alongside two large slices of brown bread topped with nearly a breast of chicken. It genuinely could have fed two people.

Besides the bread being a little hard, the chicken, though placed plainly on top of the bread, worked well when joined on a fork with some of the tasty salads.

Some of the lunch specials included ‘pan roasted chicken breast with rich roast gravy (€9.95)’,  ‘beef stir fry with rice (€9.95)’ and ‘seafood tagliatelle in rich cream white wine sauce (€11.95)’. Desserts were very reasonably priced at €3.95 each.

I had a cappuccino to finish, the bill coming in at €9.25 and I was stuffed.

Stokers offers good value for money and the policy seems to be ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.

3.5/5

DINING OUT, Entertainment

Out To Lunch: Dining Al Fresco In The Sunny Square

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rsz_nightjarNightjar

The Square

YOU know, when we get the weather there’s no place like home.

I walked into the Square on Thursday afternoon to a drumming exhibition from a local school who entertained shoppers and al fresco diners from nearby cafes. It really did have a (cliché alert) continental atmosphere about the place.

The Square is lovely on a warm, sunny day with benches to take in the sun and places to sit out and eat, whether it’s fast food from Hillbilly’s and Subway, or somewhere for a more leisurely lunch like Aine’s Cafe or Nightjar, where I decided to stop off.

I hadn’t eaten in Nightjar yet – although I’ve had lunch in its previous life as Ruairi’s some years ago – and was tempted by the daily specials.

I took my seat outside in the blazing sun alongside many other tables occupied by a clientele in their early 20s – coffees and pint bottles of Bulmers being their refreshments of choice.

I had to go inside to order – thus risking losing my precious seat – but emerged after ordering a ‘shredded duckling salad with potato fritters’ (€7.95) with my chair still vacant.

Other specials on the menu included ‘fillet steak and onion panini, salad and fries’, ‘king prawn penne pasta with garlic cream sauce’ and ‘cajun chicken ad cheese wrap with salad and fries’ to name but three.

They also have a selection of soups, salads and sandwiches on the regular menu.

The duck salad waddled into view within minutes and was very good with a nice salad and slightly spiced dressing to complement it. The only quibbles were the portion was a bit small and there was too much stringy fat on the duck.

A decent cappuccino washed it down and I went on my merry way replete with farmer’s tan after sitting out for too long in the sun.

The bill came to €10.35 and I’d go back again.

3.5/5

 

 

 

DINING OUT, Entertainment

Out To Lunch: Rain Drives Review To O’Donnell’s

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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