Garry Hughes and Gael Bradbury celebrated a decade in their charming Custume Place restaurant in 2007 - and then moved into these spanking modern waterfront premises just a few yards away in 2008.
Overlooking Athlone castle and with plate glass windows all along the riverside, The Olive Grove may well have the best location of any restaurant on the Shannon.
A major feature is the riverside deck which seats 50 people and is partially covered by an awning, although it is sometimes closed due to bad weather. The main reception area is on a higher level than the restaurant (there is another entrance via the deck) and smartly furnished with comfortable sofas which are ideal for coffee, scones and using the free Wifi which is available for customers’ use.
The main restaurant is long, spacious, and chic, and friendly staff are quick to greet and seat arriving guests, and offer the menu and an extensive wine & cocktail list. The menu is international and youthful, as always, but has changed direction somewhat with exotics like fillet of antelope appearing on the special menu and the former house speciality of chargrilled steak now replaced by slow cooked Morroccan spiced whole roast chicken.
Food is stylishly presented and dessert was the highlight of a recent visit, with a delicious chocolate amaretto biscuit cake and a selection of ice creams (especially the mint flavour) attracting praise.
Overall this is a great place, and especially worth knowing about for its oustanding location, friendly staff and long opening hours.
Seat 140 (private room 40; outdoors 50); Brunch Sat & Sun; L & D daily, 12-4.30pm (to 5 Sun) & 5-10pm (5-9pm Sun). 3 course value D €25, all evening except Sat (5.30-7.30pm). House wine €18.50. Children welcome (high chair, childrens menu, baby changing facilities); wheelchair friendly (lift). Closed 25 Dec, 1 Jan. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
