Just a short hop up Pier Road from the harbour, Ronnie and Caroline Blake's smartly presented business is a favourite Rathmullan destination for those in the know. If you happen on it by chance, the clean-lined confident frontage and bold signage will certainly draw you in. Once inside, you'll find that they deliver on the promise too - and returning visitors waste no time in going back to check them out.
Formerly a pair of businesses including a smashing little fish & chip shop. Salt'n'Batter, it is now a casual restaurant and bakery combined under the Belle’s Kitchen brand and the stylish makeover has made it an even more desirable destination.
Flagged as café and bistro, it's a very appealing smart-casual restaurant (and now also a bakery, with queues out the door for their super sourdoughs and patisserie...) where there's a good buzz and friendly staff who will always find somewhere to squeeze you in to enjoy a quick bite of wholesome homemade daytime food - a seafood pancake, perhaps, or chicken parmesan - or maybe just a slice of cake with a deliciously aromatic cup of Illy coffee. Evening brings a litle more formality and a wider menu choice, but the same high standards of food and service apply and local producers and suppliers are enthusiastically credited.
Ronnie is an accomplished and widely experienced chef - the pair include a 10 year stint in France on their CVs and have worked in many respected Irish establishments too, including nearby Rathmullan House. He understand the value of doing the simple things well - so, for example, you may expect gleamingly fresh, succulent fish and perfect hand cut chips - and consistent quality is the secret of their success.
And it’s well-priced too - no wonder so many regulars say they wouldn’t visit Rathmullan without coming for a bite on Pier Road at least once.
