The Garavogue river sweeps past this bright and airy café in the centre of Sligo town, and the floor to ceiling glass frontage makes it a delightful spot for coffee (organic and fairly traded) or a more substantial meal.
Run by Brid Torrades, who is a leader in the Euro-Toques and Slow Food campaigns for better food, and well-known for her ardent support of local organic food and small producers, the food here has immediacy and real depth of flavour; breads and pastries from Brid’s bakery at Ballinafad are a speciality, also Irish cheeses and charcuterie.
Menus include modestly described soups which are very good indeed and come with home-made brown bread, quite complex in flavour and with a nice texture; Knockalara cheese & spinach quiche is a speciality and other interesting options include Tullynascreen herb goats cheese with roasted vegetables & salad sandwich, and an exceptionally fresh and crunchy chicken and toasted almond salad with a light creamy dressing.
Daily specials chalked up on a black board include panini and wraps - usually with a bit of a twist, such as chicken with jalepeno relish and cream cheese. And it would be difficult to leave without sampling something from a spectacular array of home-made cakes including, coconut muffins, almond croissants, raspberry tarts, cream sponges and, of course, the famous Bakewell tart.
A small bar area makes a good spot to sip wine from a well chosen list (all 13 offered on the café menu are available by the glass) and tapas are also on offer in the evening.
Seats 35 (outdoors, 10). Mon-Sat, 8am- 8.30pm (Thurs-Sat, to 9.30pm), Sun 12- 5pm. House wine €20. No sc. No reservations; children welcome (high chair); toilets wheelchair accessible; air conditioning. Closed Sun, Good Fri, Bank Hols, Christmas week. No credit cards.
