Chris McCauley's atmospheric little restaurant just up the street from The House of McDonnell has an unusual barrel vaulted roof and cosy snugs separated by traditional etched glass dividers.
Seafood, especially lobster, is the speciality on chef Nuala Mitchell's daily specials menu, where you will find starters like trout and smoked salmon terrine or 'petit fruit de mer' (seafood selection grilled in garlic butter and served with salad and lemon) and main courses including monkfish tails on crushed new potatoes, and whole Ballyvcastle lobster - which is available grilled with garlic butter or cold with mayonnaise, and reasonably priced at £22.95.
The regular menu also includes some seafood but it offers a wider choice, including good steaks (have the best of both worlds with the surf'n'turf of charred fillet steak and half a Rathlin lobster...) and several vegetarian dishes - roast vegetable focccacia stuffed with Mediterranean roast vegetables and mozzarella cheese, for example, or vegetable fajitas.
Charming staff provide good service under the direction of Chris McCauley and, although the seating is a little cramped, a meal here should be a thoroughly enjoyable outing.
Seats 46. Food served daily in Summer: 12-10; L 12-3.30, D 3.30-10; Sun D only; L&D a la carte. House wine about £15; air conditioning; children welcome before 7pm. Open at 5pm in winter. Closed Sun L & last Mon-Tue in August, 25-26 Dec, 1 Jan. MasterCard, Visa, Switch.
