It may be tucked away down one of Limerick's history-steeped city centre laneways, but a central location is a great advantage for this enduringly popular restaurant, where sisters Liz Phelan and Caroline Kerely continue to offer clever menus and consistently pleasing dishes.
The inviting stone and brick frontage of this 19th century building draws diners in to a stylish and well lit interior, where - ever pleased to greet their guests - Liz and Caroline make you feel right at home.
Split over two floors, ground floor diners have the confident bustle of the kitchen to enjoy while, upstairs, a high-ceilinged dark-beamed room offers a different ambience - and the friendly and well informed staff tend equally to the needs of customers on both floors.
Although some supplements apply, menus offer good value (especially on the 2/3 course early dinner) and, unusually, a full coeliac menu is also offered. Eclectic dishes span several continents, offering plenty of variety and a bias towards Italian dishes - although traditional meat lovers will especially enjoy choices like precisely cooked steaks and comforting lamb shanks.
Local produce highlighted includes Kerry seafood and cheese from nearby Clare; St Tola goat cheese with walnuts, roasted beetroot and onion marmalade is a popular starter, for example, and Dingle crab may feature in a main course of pasta pepped up with a chilli, parsley and wine cream sauce. Consistently good cooking of this tasty fare goes a long way towards explaining this atmospheric restaurant's enduring success.
Classic desserts such as crème brulée, Eton mess or a warm apple and blackberry crumble with ice cream and custard, not only round off a meal at Freddy's on a happy note, but gluten free options are available on request.
Organised by style, the wine list, begins at a pocket-friendly €20 (one white and one red house wine also available by the glass/ carafe at €5/€15) with plenty to choose from in the at the mid range.
This Limerick gem has lots of character and is well worth seeking out.
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