Located on a hillside overlooking Keel Village and Bay, right across to the cliffs, Ferndale must have some of the most stunning and ever-changing views in the West of Ireland, as the big waves roll in from the Atlantic.
The interior of the restaurant is unusual and the decor, light beige fleck tiles, a swag of net curtain across the top of the huge main window and burgundy drapes adorned with small lights hanging from the ceiling and walls gives one a Turkish or Arabian feeling, which is also carried on in the style of the tables, chairs and napery.
Swiss Chef Jon Fratschoel's menu is truly a global affair comprising of 7 pages, each one representing major ethnic cooking styles, such as South America, the Indian subcontinent, the Arabian Peninsula, Scandinavia and Mexico with the Caribbean among others.
Typical examples are: Rack of Irish Lamb Chilli'n Lime ( Caribbean style ), Springbok and Venison Lapland (Scandinavia ) or Bengali Seabream with nuts and a mustard marinade from India.
Main courses are priced from around €19 to €32 served with vegetables and potatoes. Desserts are also wide ranging such as Mango Cheesecake Bushfire, an Aussie invention, and Beghrir Pancakes, Arabian.
Wines are also from around the world with house wines at about €19 and a couple by the glass.
This unusual restaurant will not be to everyone’s taste – and one can’t help wishing there could be less choice and a bit more focus - but it is certainly different.
Seats 40. D daily in summer, 6-10.30; after Hallowe'en open weekends only (Thu-Sun) except fully open over Christmas. A la carte (main courses about €15-25). House wine from about €16. Reservations required; toilets wheelchair accessible. Accommodation is also offered. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
