*Recently relocated to Dyer Street, new narrative pending...
In the centre of Drogheda town Sonia Micalef and Damien Leddy’s characterful little restaurant and wine bar is the kind of place that will put you in a good mood even when your day is not going according to plan.
It’s partly the higgledy-piggledy nature of the old building, which is on a steep laneway, then there’s the nicely dim atmosphere, unaffectedly mis-matched furniture, the promising collection of bottles, the daily specials chalked up enticingly on the blackboard, the temptingly displayed offer of a really special dessert... but most of all the feel-good factor is down to the obliging, good-humoured staff, who ease customers into the relaxed way that things are done here.
And the food is good too, in a wholesomely simple Italian style that is full of flavour and makes a welcome change from all the usual towers and dribbles.
Begin, perhaps, with real minestrone soup, or antipasto misto, a good selection of cured meats, parmesan cheese, grilled artichoke hearts, roast peppers and olives, served with deliciously rustic bread – and available as a bigger ‘board to share’ for groups, or as a vegetarian selection with extra vegetables (Italian beans, rocket, grilled courgettes and aubergines) to replace the cured meats.
There are casual dishes – various bruschetta, a range of salads – and hot blackboard specials that may include pasta dishes (with Italian beans, perhaps - gluten free pasta on request), risotto, chicken and fish, also hearty Toulouse sausages and tartiflettes in winter.
Delicious desserts, good coffee, French music and the sound of happy people relaxing all add to the good humour.
And then, of course, there’s the wine list: arranged by style it’s interesting, informative and well-priced, includes some surprises – and offers a good choice by the glass, kept fresh by the ‘Le Verre de Vin’ system.
Seats 40. Open Wed-Sun: noon-close. Children welcome (high chair). Reservations recommended. Closed Mon & Tue. MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
