In the upper part of Westport town – just a couple of minutes walk, up beyond the clock at the top of the main street - this appealing restaurant specialising in homemade pasta and local fish is in an area that’s now becoming Westport's ‘Latin Quarter’, with several restaurants offering varying takes on the Italian theme.
The attractive frontage painted in sage green opens into an informal interior where cream and light green décor creates a fresh and airy feel. Contrasting darkwood tables have modern settings and there’s a reception area with a small wine bar, where comfortable seating allows guests to settle in with menus and pre-dinner drinks, and watch the work in the kitchen.
Co-proprietor Sarah Hudson, a daughter of the very successful Hudsons Pantry in Louisburgh, has a warm greeting for diners and explains the menu and daily specials cooked by her partner in life and business, Chef Davide Donnalia, the Italian in the operation and a former Roma footballer whose career was cut short by a knee injury (shades of Ramsay).
A range of appealing starters will typically include house variations on favourites like chicken liver paté (served with crostini and berry compote); local seafood such as Clew Bay mussels in white wine and garlic, or Inishturk crab claws; and some unusual dishes such as a potato & porcini gratin – crispy parmesan-topped layers of sliced potato and mushroom with truffle oil...
A choice of Davide’s home-made pasta follows - ravioli and gnocchi – also a risotto of the day. Try the Sage Ravioli, perhaps, filled with Italian sausage & Parmesan, served with a creamy sage sauce...
Generous main courses include ever-popular steak and chicken, a good choice of vegetarian dishes and a couple of fish dishes, one of which is a nightly changing seafood medley of fresh fish and shellfish. Excellent main courses enjoyed by the Guide include a delicious slow cooked crispy belly of pork cooked in sherry and herbs, served on a bed of beans and chorizo, and a dish of veal with Parma ham, flavoured with Madeira and sage.
And, as no Italian meal is complete without a gorgeous dessert, you might try a chocolate fondue, perhaps, to go with a well-made coffee.
A well priced wine list offers a couple of dozen wines, mainly under €25, with six available by the glass.
Sage has settled well after its first season and Sarah Hudson and Davide Donnalia’s bravery in opening a new restaurant at a difficult time (winter of 2008/9) seems to have paid off - they have earned a well-deserved following for the authenticity of food which goes well beyond the familiar ‘Italian’ offering of pasta and pizza, a friendly relaxed atmosphere, good service – and good value.
Seats 40. D Tue-Sun, 5.30-10. Mains about €17- €23. Early bird 2 course D Tue-Sat 5.30-7pm, €18. House wine, €18. Children welcome. Wheelchair accessible (public areas & toilets). Closed Mon except bank hols, month of Jan. MasterCard, Visa, Laser
