Mangos Restaurant at the top of Westport’s main street was much missed when it closed in 2016, so there was a warm welcome when it was reopened by a local chef.
Owner/Chef Cian Hayes is well known in Westport, having worked in several kitchens in the area, and Cian's on Bridge Street is his first restaurant.
Opening just the ground floor initially (with renovations ongoing upstairs), the layout will be familiar to many although the sea-faring theme is no more and it is now a much brighter than it was. It is a welcoming space. especially on a sunny evening, and with an interesting bill of fare posted at the door hungry menu browsers are easily attracted in.
Service is friendly, with breads and water delivered to the table with the menu, but don't hesitate to ask for the specials board if it isn't offered as some of the best choices may well be on it.
At dinner you'll find excellent renditions of classics among the half dozen or so starters – Killary mussels, for example, which is a generous serving with a well-made classic or tomato & chilli sauce and available as a main course.
About half of the eight main courses on the dinner menu are likely to be seafood, offered in various styles, and there will be more on the specials board. You might try monkfish with Dhal curry, cauliflower, crispy potato, chutney and yoghurt perhaps or pan-fried hake fillet with chorizo hash, fennel and house Hollandaise.
There is plenty of choice for non-fish eaters though, including variations on the ever-popular steak and rump of lamb and at least one vegetarian option – vegetarian risotto with wild mushroom, Jerusalem artichoke, butternut squash, Parmesan and arancini, for example. The cooking is good, and dishes are nicely presented with some extra vegetables on the side.
There are six homemade desserts to choose from, and good coffee.
A small wine-list offers 5 whites and 5 reds, priced from €24 to €36 and €6.90 per glass, and overall Cian's gives good value for the quality of the food.
