Noel and Annmarie Costello’s attractive roadside bar and restaurant is in a beautiful setting just outside Tallow, beside an old stone bridge over the River Bride and with wonderful views from a stylishly informal dining area and a spacious deck overlooking the river and bridge.
Ongoing renovations in recent years have made big improvements and brought a gently contemporary tone through most of the building; however they have been careful to retain the character in the older bar (which is along the road side of the building, and has a welcoming open fire) and have also added a snug-like after dinner lounge beside the restaurant, with original artwork, and library.
Whether you call in for an informal bite in the bar or go for the full dining experience, food will be carefully sourced and prepared, and menus include a great selection of local seafood (there’s a lobster tank, and the seafood platters are very popular), and also home grown fruit and vegetables.
Along with their ever-popular seafood specials, a recent innovation that is proving a hit is speciality pies made with butter pastry - and also fresh home-made pasta. The cooking generally is very wholesome, with good home-made flavours, and there is growing emphasis on rustic dishes and comfort food including old-fashioned favourites like liver and bacon.
To complement the food, a short but carefully selected wine list offers a balanced choice, and lists a selection of lesser known wines including Thomas Walks red wine, from Kinsale.
One fairly recent change is very noticeable on arrival, as two of the old stables have been converted to make a shop, which opens at the same time as the restaurant so people dining can browse before or after their meal; they sell as much local produce as possible including their own excellent brown bread and hampers based on their own food range, Bride View Foods.
Noel and Annmarie’s dedication and hard work over the last decade has transformed this bar into a fine establishment that is offering something different from others in the area - including an exceptional location, of course, as well as good food and very long opening hours all year round.
* An on-site cottage is being converted to offer self-catering accommodation.
Seats 45 (outdoors, 28). Food available Mon-Sat, 12.30-9pm (to 9.30pm Fri/Sat; no food 2.30-5.30pm Mon-Thurs off-season). Set Sun L, 12.30-2.30pm; then a la carte 2.30-9pm (to 8pm winter). House wine from €18.95. Toilets wheelchair accessible; children welcome (baby changing facilities); lifestyle gift shop (homeware, food, wine). Closed 24-27 Dec & Good Fri. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
