Proprietor-chef James Cullinan and wife Carol have earned a loyal following at their stylish and comfortable little restaurant overlooking the Aille river, where you may be able to watch fishermen fly fishing while you enjoy your meal.
The Cullinans are known for their hospitality, the care and simplicity of James's cooking, and their commitment to promoting local foods and artisan producers.
An open fire welcomes guests to the front sitting room where Carol - the perfect host - offers menus that include an à la carte and also an an attractive early dinner which gives great value, with three or four choices (including vegetarian dishes) on each course.
Although other excellent choices are offered, the speciality here is seafood, all of which is caught off the West coast, and delivered each morning by their local supplier, Garrihy's Seafoods, before being filleted and portioned by James.
The cooking style is modern Irish with a French influence, and seafood showcased on menus includes Burren smoked salmon, Doolin crabmeat and Aran scallops; depending on season and availability the range offered usually includes prawns, salmon (fresh as well as smoked), cod, monkfish and john dory, to name just a few examples. And carnivores are well looked after too, with a loin of Clare lamb among the specialities.
To finish there are tempting, dramatically presented home-made desserts, or Irish farmhouse cheeses.
A local wine supplier travels to France regularly and this quite extensive wine list understandably favours France; it is well organised by style (crisp fresh dry white, smooth medium bodied etc), with any wine available by the glass and plenty of half bottles too.
Genuinely caring hospitality and excellent service from Carol is an outstanding feature of a meal here, from start to finish - and James is a well known fiddle player, so you may well also have the opportunity to enjoy another side of his talents later on in the evening.
Seats 25; D Thu-Sat & Mon-Tue, 6-9. A la carte; early D €24.50/29.50 (Mon-Fri, 6-6.45pm). Children welcome. House wines €22. SC discretionary. Closed Sun & Wed, Nov - Easter.
Accommodation:
Warm hospitality, comfortable beds and a tasty breakfast make this a good place to stay, at a reasonable price.
Rooms 8 (all en-suite, 3 shower only, 2 family rooms, 3 ground floor, all no-smoking). B&B €35pps low season, €50pps high season, ss €20. Children welcome (under 3s free in parents' room, cot available without charge). Free broadband wi/fi. Garden. No pets. Closed mid Dec - mid Feb. MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
