Located in a tourist focused but pleasant laneway, just off Rathdrum’s main street, which has been used as a location for many Irish films (the restaurant walls feature stills from the various productions) and is also home to a cosy café/pub, this attractive restaurant is in the simple whitewashed interior of a long cottage, with the dining area divided by an open wood stove and a view into the raised kitchen at one end.
It has lots of atmosphere and people travel long distances to eat here for its relaxed ambience and excellent food, made with simple, quality ingredients - and a reputation built on authentic Italian and modern European cooking.
Menus offer an exciting range of mainstream modern European dishes with an Italian accent, many of them featuring the excellent meats of the area served with a great range of sauces.
Desserts include some of the Italian favourites too - panna cotta with seasonal fruits and raspberry sauce, for example, and tiramisu’ with coffee sauce - but the variety of dishes offered on all courses is appealing.
Menus change with the seasons and fish dishes are always listed as specials.
Good value is another special feature of this delightful restaurant and most main courses on the à la carte are under €20.
Add to this charming service and a well-organised (and well-priced) wine list, and the reasons for its popularity become obvious.
Seats 46. L & D Tue-Sun 12.30-2pm & 6.30-10pm (to 9pm Sun); à la carte D; house wine €19.95; sc 10% on groups 6+. Reservations recommended; children welcome (high chair, childrens menu); wheelchair accessible. Closed Mon, Bank Hols. MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
