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Restaurant David Norris

Restaurant David Norris has earned wide recognition as Tralee’s leading fine dining restaurant, and it never disappoints. Although located on the first floor of an unprepossessing modern building, it has a nice little reception area with a sofa and stools at a small bar, and well-spaced tables are dressed with quality linen, plain glasses and white china, relieved by fresh flowers.

A Euro-Toques chef, David Norris sources food with care; the ingredients used are organic wherever possible and everything served is hand-made on the premises. The emphasis is on taste, with beautiful yet not over-elaborate presentation - and the aim is to offer the best of food at reasonable prices. This he achieves well: seasonal menus are simply written and, while very promising, are not over-ambitious.

About seven choices are offered on each course of an à la carte menu: seafood is well-represented, as would be expected in this area, but the range of foods offered is wide - Kerry beef may top the bill, also local lamb - and imaginative vegetarian dishes have mainstream appeal.

Speciality dishes include a starter of crispy duck confit with Parmesan polenta and a chilli-garlic oil, and ever-popular breast of Irish chicken may be lifted into a different class by basting it with a mushroom and foie gras butter and serving it on Savoy cabbage with walnuts.

Classic desserts, which include speciality hand-made ice creams, round off the meal in style, or there are Irish farmhouse cheeses, served with fresh fruit, home-made preserves and biscuits.

Thoughtful detail is evident throughout, from the complimentary amuse-bouche that arrives with your aperitif to the home-made fudge served with your tea or coffee.

Consistently good cooking, professional service, an informative but sensibly limited wine list and good value for money have all won this fine restaurant many friends - and visits by the Guide consistently confirm yet again David Norris’s position as the premier restaurant in the area.

Seats 40; children welcome. D Tue-Sat 5.30-10 (Sat 6.30-10); early D about €27, Tue-Fri 5.30-7; also á la carte. House wine from about €20; sc discretionary, except 10% (charged on food only) on parties of 10+. Closed Sun, Mon, all bank hols, 1 week Oct, 1 weeks Jan, 1 week Jul. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

Facing Siamsa Tire, across the road from the Brandon Hotel.