In a prime location overlooking Dungarvan harbour, The Old Bank is an impressive 19th century building that has recently been restored and smartly re-invented as a restaurant and cocktail bar.
Now a multi-purpose venue for indoor and outdoor dining and all-year socialising, it includes a stylish and very comfortable outdoor seating area,The Creamery Yard, an atmospheric vault
where private events can be held, and a fine dining restaurant upstairs - where the views are best - where Chef David Larkin’s seasonal tasting menus are the pièce de résistance of this multi-faceted offering, giving him full rein to showcase the produce from their own garden and the local area (helped along a little in places by their exclusively sourced organic virgin olive oil...).
But the main action is downstairs in the bar and the adjoining Bistro, where the same high standards apply in a more informal style. Here you can relax and enjoy choosing from a wide ranging menu offering everything from authentic Italian pizza to a classy steak - a juicy Ribeye with Baby Leek, Pommes Fondant, Roquefort, and Smoked eel jus, perhaps - or a handsome fish dish such as Monkfish with Wild Mushrooms and Beurre Noisette.
Vegetarians and vegans are well catered for and you don't need to be vegetarian to enjoy imaginative dishes like Coffee Baked Celeriac with Broccoli, Hazelnuts and Carrot, or a flavour-packed Morel and Pea Risotto.
Eye-catching desserts take the classic route - Hot chocolate fondant with Crême Anglaise, chocolate sauce, and vanilla ice-cream is one favourite that tempts many regulars back.
Service by manager Antonio Clemente and his team is friendly, knowledgeable and helpful - and you could be glad of some guidance with the extensive wine list, which covers some 22 countries and many varieties. There are some exclusive choices too - check out the Italian wines from Cantine Teanum (Puglia) as The Old Bank has an exclusive supply and you won’t find them elsewhere. A few non alcoholic choices are also offered - including a Vallformosa Cava, made with Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada grapes, as used in regular Cava - and some Irish craft beers and cider too.
The Old Bank is an impressive destination that offers a range of experiences for different times and occasions and does them all well - a great place to know about in a lovely harbourside location.
