The Mountain House Bar is a traditional pub in the village of Ardfield, near Clonakilty, and it would be easy pass by - but that would be a mistake if it's a meal time, as the man heading up the kitchen here is Frédéric Desormeaux.
He is perhaps best known for his time as Head Chef at Greene’s in Cork city, and in recent times - with the support of Patrick and Carol O’Sullivan, who have owned The Mountain House since 2010 - Fred has guided this modest premises to the top of the local food league.
A champion of local produce, especially West Cork fish and seafood, he offers a regular menu that includes upbeat versions of the usual suspects (soups, sandwiches, burgers, fish and chips) and also a Sunday lunch menu. And, of course, The Mountain House is also well-known for its excellent steaks.
But the Specials Board (offered for both lunch and dinner) is packed with tempting dishes and worth serious consideration. Great fish and seafood dishes top the bill, but you may also find more unusual choices such as Quail breasts, confit duck potato croquettes, Turmeric baby pear, broccoli sprout, yogurt and beetroot dressing, light jus - or a variation on Caesar Salad that's a marvellous mélange of fish and fowl - Chicken, Prawns, Gubbeen Chorizo Caesar salad, crispy potatoes, garlic brioche croutons and poached egg.
Definitely not your average Irish pub grub and, during the summer season, you may enjoy eating al fresco - Fred cooks outside and they set up two marquees in case the weather is disappointing.
Another great place to know about in West Cork.
