We literally haven't been in this place for 30 years as we had no reason to go.
Saturday past 27 August 2022 we were very close by and as it was lunch time we thought why not.
There's lots of parking around and a very pleasant Costa coffee bar sharing the same space.
On hotel entry we found it bright, clean and airy with mostly young serving staff. Service is courteous but a bit haphazard; a tad of training from good management would help here.
We saw outside seating contained within a walled area off the main inside dining area probably designed more for smokers and a necessity for Wu flu.
We opted to sit in warm sun as we don't often get warm sun in these parts and as importantly there were no smokers (who can be selfish to smoke while others eat around them.)
Four of us dined with three opting for the Fairways club poached chicken fillet, crisp streaky bacon, lettuce, tomato on toasted sourdough with fries and fixings including ketchup, factory made mayo with fresh garlic added, that improved taste, and French mustard. Imagine not having Colman's English mustard. The club & fries was €14.
I opted for the seafood chowder (€11). It came with one thin piece of soda bread - the bread portion and the quality disappointed. The chowder was good but while Fitzpatricks pub chowder is an extra euro it's way way far better and shell less.
I asked for white pepper to be told they didn't have any.
What I found most bothersome about the chowder was that mussels within were still in shells so I had to use my hands to negotiate the meat out, leaving me with fishy fingers; pieces of salmon had skin on too.
Crispy salmon skin can be tasty, but soggy limp skin is repulsive. While skin and shell help make great stock they shouldn't be in the served dish. If the chef insists on skin and shell then provide a water bowl, hand towel and suitable cutlery.
All in all it's a good 3 star but could easily hit at least 4 star. I mean no white pepper, no English mustard, hard shells and soggy skin in soup, no.
We went across the way to Costa for coffees. read more