Just Ask Restaurant of the Month - Rathmullan House

“Just Ask!” is a public awareness campaign that aims to encourage consumers when eating out to look for information on where the food (particularly meat) on their plate comes from, and encourages chefs to provide this information on their menus. The programme supports both large and smaller artisan suppliers, encouraging both Irish diners and visitors from abroad to support restaurants that are in turn supporting their suppliers.

Here at Georgina Campbell Guides we have always been avid supporters of the ‘eat local’ concept, and we always enjoy reading menus that have a real sense of place. The dining experience is greatly enriched by knowing that the food on your plate is inspired by the produce and traditions of the area, and sourced nearby – and we would love to see more chefs sharing that precious information with their guests. 

If you are a visitor to the area, learning a little about local food and the people who produce it adds a special extra dimension to the visit – and, for residents, it reinforces a natural pride in the good things of their locality and makes a meal all the more enjoyable.

So, we are delighted by the high standard of menus that continue to be submitted for our  ‘ “Just Ask!” Restaurant of the Month Competition’, menus that really speak of the best of Irish foods – and the dedication of both the people who make them, and the chefs who select them to create wonderful dishes with real Irish flavour for our enjoyment.

VIEW ALL JUST ASK RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH WINNERS

The “Just Ask!” Restaurant of the Month winner for July is Rathmullan House, Rathmullan, Co Donegal

A gracious nineteenth century house set in lovely gardens on the shores of Lough Swilly, Rathmullan House has been run as a country house hotel by the Wheeler family since 1961, and is currently under the energetic management of William and Mark Wheeler, and their wives Yvonne and Mary.

Good local food has always been central to the Rathmullan House experience – William and Mark’s parents Robin and Bob established an early reputation for the quality of their table, and the outstanding breakfast buffet alone was always worth travelling for; Bob still makes the marmalade in winter, and also batches of jam through the summer as fruits come into season.

And, thanks to the commitment of an exceptionally dedicated team, the food has never been better than now: head chef Ian Orr is a Derry man who returned from the River Café to work at Rathmullan, and his meticulously-sourced menus are based on the very best of local and artisan foods.

Working closely with organic gardener, Dennis Hawke, Ian makes best use of fresh produce from their beautiful and highly productive restored walled garden, in combination with carefully selected ingredients from the immediate area and beyond, much of it wild, free range, artisan and /or organic – and all documented throughout each menu for the information and interest of customers.

Of particular note is the Children’s Menu - a proper little person’s version of the adult menu, with lots of choices and no concessions to ‘popular’ fare, this is education on a plate.




BREAKFAST MENU

Good morning. 
We hope you had a restful night.

We will serve you freshly squeezed orange juice, Ballycross apple juice, that ‘wake me up’ cup of tea/coffee, porridge and prunes.

Our breakfast buffet includes Rathmullan House wheaten bread and speciality cakes, a selection of cereals, dried fruits, fresh fruit, Donegal baked ham, vintage cheddar and oak smoked Five Mile Town cheese.


Local carrageen moss (a mild tasting seaweed), has a wonderful texture and is best matched with the fruit compôte.

Our fruits are freshly prepared and include our walled garden fruits when in season. 
Try some Tipperary natural yoghurt, homemade museli and Glenvar honey for a lovely combination.


In the winter Bob makes the marmalade and throughout the summer with the fruit from the garden he makes one off batches of jams.



Our House Full Irish Breakfast
includes grilled Moyallon bacon & sausages, grilled tomato, flat mushroom, potato bread and free-range eggs of your choice, with Clonakilty black and white pudding if required.

Greencastle smoked salmon
with scrambled eggs

Grilled smoked kippers or smoked haddock
served with a lemon wedge

Smoothie
Red berries, banana, natural yoghurt
with a little honey, mint and orange juice

Fluffy homemade pancakes
cooked to order
make your favourite combination with syrups jams or chocolate from the buffet

Choose any one of the above
(choose a second one at €7.50 per portion)

Freshly brewed coffee or tea
can be served straight away or with your cooked breakfast. Infusions, cappuccinos and fair trade hot chocolate are available on request.

Enjoy your juice, sample the buffet
and relax while your breakfast
is cooked to order



Resident Children’s Menu

STARTERS

Little cup of vegetable soup
with no bits
€3.00

A scoop of raspberry sorbet
with a few slices of fresh pineapple
€4.00


MAIN COURSES

A small piece of fillet beef
fried in olive oil, cooked as requested
with creamy mashed potato, gravy, buttered carrots and broccoli
€10.00

Gently fried piece of prime fish - no skin no bones
cooked through with steamed potato, broccoli and carrots
lemon butter sauce in a side dish
€8.00

Plain penne pasta
with homemade tomato sauce and a little grated parmesan cheese in a side dish
€6.50

Grilled piece of organic chicken breast - no skin no bone
served with broccoli and carrots and a little gravy in a side dish
€8.00

DESSERTS

2 scoops of vanilla or chocolate ice-cream
(or 1 of each)
€4.00

A small helping of profiterols
filled with cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce 
€4.00

A little bowl of fresh fruit salad
€4.00