At the top of the main street in Bunclody next to the Millrace Hotel, this large, well appointed bar and restaurant could easily be taken as part of the hotel but it is actually quite separate.
An attractive bar dominates the spacious and very comfortably furnished dining area, which is modern and pleasing to the eye, with large windows, good lighting and plenty of greenery. Bare tables with comfortable rattan carver chairs have simple, modern settings, in tune with the décor - but the feeling is relaxed and far from the stark minimalism popular in recent years.
Outside, a covered terrace area (with a retractable roof) is designed in keeping with the rest of the building, and would be a pleasant place to eat al fresco in fine summer weather.
The welcome is warm, efficient and good-humoured, and new arrivals are promptly seated and offered menus, which change throughout the day to include a lunch menu (much of which changes daily) as well as a more extensive informal Terrace Menu, offering panini, wraps, salads, pizza and pasta etc.
Evening menus begin with an early bird (specials on Fridays), and there’s also an à la carte dinner menu available throughout the evening. The style is broadly international but tailored to the local market - they’re known especially for great steaks (char-grilled sirloin, perhaps, served with chunky chips, and a choice of sauces), perfectly cooked fresh fish from the nearby Wexford coast, varied side dishes - and portions which are generous to a fault.
This is a stylish mid-range restaurant providing quality, good value – including a very fairly priced wine list – and, under the direction of restaurant manager Damien Mekitarian, caring hands-on service.
Not surprisingly, it has earned a loyal following so reservations are recommended, especially at weekends.
Seats 100. Food served Tue-Sun 12-10pm (to 9pm Sun). (L 12 -4, Early D 5 -7, A la carte 6-10pm). Set L €20; value D €20/25; also a la carte L&D. House wine €19.95. Children welcome (high chair, childrens menu, baby changing facilities); wheelchair accessible (public areas & toilets). Closed Mon (except Bank Hols), 25 Dec, Good Fri. MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
