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Sol Rio Restaurant

Euro-Toques chef Jose Barroso from Portugal and his Westport born wife Sinead Lambert run this lively restaurant on two floors over the Connemara Shop on Bridge Street.

The tiled floor, light coloured decor and simple table settings of the first floor room contrast to the style upstairs, which has more of a party atmosphere and is in great demand over the weekends. The welcome is warm and friendly from the very helpful local staff.

Menus offer a very wide range of popular dishes (starters and pasta dishes, pizzas and a selection of fish, poultry and meat dishes, with at least ten choices in each section) and is well prices, with generous main courses ranging from €18 to €27.

Daily specials could include mussels mariniere with excellent brown bread, local scallops and crab claws in a good beurre blanc, and roast duckling with an orange and cranberry sauce.

Classic desserts include lemon torte, sticky toffee pudding and a moist well flavoured chocolate gateau.

Lunch is a lighter affair with soups, chowder, wraps, panini and baguettes, and some pasta dishes for a continental flavour; main courses under €10.

A balanced choice of wines from the old and new worlds includes 4 house wines at about €20, also served by the glass, and some half bottles.

Try to get a window table and watch the comings and goings of night time Bridge Street.

Seats 75 (private room, 40); reservations recommended; children welcome (high chair, childrens menu); air conditioning. L&D Wed-Mon, 12-3pm & 6-10pm; a la carte L&D; house wine from €17.95. Closed Tue, 3 weeks middle Jan, 1st week Feb. MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

In the heart of Westport opposite Matt Molloys pub