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Wisteria Restaurant

Colm Falvey is a well respected chef in East Cork, and this friendly and welcoming restaurant is his latest venture, in attractive small premises on the main street of this historic village. Simple, but attractive and modern, the room has pale wood panelling to dado height and features modern painting and a striking wisteria mural.

Well-spaced tables are set up with good quality cutlery, paper napkins and a single flower – and off-white wooden chairs (with cushions) are comfortable.

A three-course early dinner offers great value with a choice of four dishes per course, while the à la carte (which, sensibly, is not too extensive) has some extra enticing dishes on each course, with vegetarian options - such as a starter of Ardsallagh goats cheese salad with roast hazelnuts, or main course asparagus pea & fresh coriander risotto - included.

A very high standard of cooking showcases ingredients of the highest quality, and mostly locally sourced: an excellent Ballycotton seafood chowder features among the starters, for example, and you may also find main courses such as fillet of hake with fresh crab & herb crust and beurre blanc sauce, and the meats that are so good in this area – a sirloin steak with chargrilled auberines & béarnaise sauce, for example, or roast rack of lamb with a plum tomato & fresh mint fondue.

More-ish desserts could include almond meringue with a chocolate rum cream – and there’s a farmhouse cheese selection. A concise, well-selected wine list offers a choice of about 24 mostly European wines.

Service, under Kathy Falvey’s direction, is friendly, efficient and attentive – all round, a very pleasing dining experience.

Seats 30; children welcome (high chair, childrens menu); toilets wheelchair accessible. D Tue-Sun, 5-9pm (to 8.30pm Sun); early bird D €27.50, 5-7.30pm; also a la carte. House wine €18.50. Closed Mon. MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

From Cork, in centre of village after left turn for Ballycotton, on right hand side