When the tide is in and the sun is out there can be few prettier locations than Sue Hill’s restaurant with rooms overlooking Goleen harbour, which has been a destination fish restaurant since 1985.
The Heron’s Cove philosophy is to use only the best of fresh, local ingredients and in summer there’s a natural leaning towards seafood - typically in wholesome starters like plump, perfectly cooked Bantry Bay moules marinières or, more unusually, West Cork smoked sprats.
As a Euro-Toques chef and Slow Food member, respect for the integrity of local ingredients is at the heart of Sue's food philosophy; in particular, her mission has always been to source the best sustainable fish and shellfish and prepare it in a simple and honest way.
Seasonality determines the offering and, in summer, this means that an extra page of West Cork specials will be offered, perhaps including Roaring Water Bay shrimp salad, fresh crab and organic salmon cocktail and Mizen lobster, which is prepared several ways in both starter and main course dishes.
If you’re not in a fishy mood, there might be Goleen lamb cutlets (served on a bed of champ, with rosemary jus, perhaps) or crispy roast Skeaghanore duckling, and there’s always at least one vegetarian dish.
More-ish desserts include the Heron’s Cove signature dessert, a baked chocolate & vanilla cheesecake, and a wide selection of home-made ice creams - passion fruit, blackcurrant, blackberry, rum & Michigan cherry (to name a few of the less usual ones). In summer there may be extras based on local fruits, such as poached blackcurrants & cream...
Great ingredients, pleasing cooking, friendly attentive service from local staff and a wonderful location should make for an enjoyable meal - and, considering the quality of ingredients, a fairly priced one.
An unusual Wine on the Rack system offers a great selection of interesting, well-priced wines that change through the season - they are listed but the idea is that you can browse through the bottles and make your own selection.
Seats 30; children welcome (high chair, childrens menu, baby changing facilities). D daily in summer, 7-9.30 (bookings essential Oct-Mar); set D €30, also à la carte. House wine €22.50. SC discretionary. Closed Christmas & New Year.
Accommodation:
Comfortable en-suite rooms have recently been refurbished, and this is an appealing place to stay all year round. Some rooms have private balconies, and all have satellite TV, phones, tea/coffee-making facilities and hair dryers.
Rooms 5 (4 shower only, all no smoking, 1 family room); children welcome (under 5s free in parents' room, cot available free of charge). B&B €35-40 pps, single €50-70. Garden. Open for dinner, bed & breakfast all year except Christmas/New Year, but it is always advisable to book, especially off-season. Amex, Diners, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
