Just Ask Restaurant of the Month for December - Moloughney's

The “Just Ask!” Restaurant of the Month winner for December is Moloughney’s, Clontarf, Dublin 3

Just off the seafront, in what has become the ‘restaurant quarter’ of Clontarf, this atmospheric two-storey restaurant is an especially inviting place and full of character, so always likely to be busy.

For Chef-Owner Liam Moloughney, who opened here in 2009, it was always all about Irish produce. It's a philosophy shared with Head Chef John Fitzmaurice, a Euro-Toques Young Chef finalist in 2014 who arrived here via Allo's in Listowel and The Mustard Seed in Ballingarry, both Euro-Toques strongholds famous for an absolute belief in supporting local producers and keeping it seasonal.

They change the menu at least every six weeks at Moloughneys, but they will never vary from conveying - on all menus, and the website - a sense of pride in the suppliers they work with, which include the terrific Vernon Stores, just up the road, and a host of others in the general area, including butchers McKenna's of Clontarf and O'Mahony Meats.

Superb produce that you won't find on every other restaurant menu includes Comeragh Mountain Lamb, from Willie Drohan's West Waterford farm, which is a special treat in season (late summer into autumn), and Wild Irish Game from Ballymooney Meats is a particular highlight in winter.

And, unusually, not only are all meat, poultry, game and eggs Irish, but there is also a very welcome commitment to using only fish from Irish waters supplied by Doran’s of Howth, Kish Fish and Moran’s Seafood.

Great sandwiches, based on Bretzel Bakery breads and Walsh’s Bakehouse Waterford blaas, and proper children’s menus are also highlights. But, to the casual diner, it's all about deliciousness and value.

The thought of breakfast here might be enough to divert you on your way to work – fat sausages, gorgeous rashers, portobello or flat mushroom, black pudding tomato and fried eggs, and pancakes, a vegetarian breakfast, fruits, juices, home baked breads and scones, and more.

Later on, tempting daytime menus include specialities like the Moloughneys fish pie (made, unusually, with smoked trout) and Moloughneys Wild Irish Venison burger served in a Waterford blaa,

Then dinner here might begin with Dingle Gin cured Goatsbridge Farm Trout, moving on to mains like free range Naul Tamworth pork from Clonanny Farm with cabbage crisps and rainbow carrots, or wild Irish pheasant breast with duck fat roasties... and, although the desserts (all homemade, including the ice creams) may be hard to pass on, there also an excellent Irish cheeseboard to finish.

Moloughney’s Irish ethos is seen equally in their extensive drinks offering including some craft on draught. Their Irish craft beers include three local ones from Hope Brewery just along the coast, in Howth; there’s also a selection from Dungarvan Brewing Company, Waterford; and Eight Degrees Brewing and the Franciscan Well Brewery, both in Cork. Con’s Irish Cider and apple juice come from the legendary Traas family at The Apple Farm, Co Tipperary, and they have both Dingle Gin and Blackwater Gin on the menu too.

Even the coffee is roasted just fifteen minutes up the road, in Bewleys, Northern Cross, and discerning tea drinkers love the loose leaf tea from Clement & Pekoe on Dublin’s South William Street - and you’ll also find the famed SynerChi Live Kombucha from Donegal here.

Most of all, Moloughneys is a fun and relaxed place to be, a place that walks the walk. Great for coffee, breakfast, lunch or a serious dinner, it's a restaurant working really hard to please a discerning market at the right price, and there’s a huge sense of community and pride in the area too.

Read the Digs and Drama section on their website and you’ll want to check straight into the Clontarf Castle Hotel and take in a bite at here before heading round he corner to one of the famous shows at The Viking Theatre at The Sheds. Magic.

SAMPLE MENUS

LUNCH

*For group lunch bookings, please see Your Event*

Light Bites

Soup of the Day v Brown soda bread €5.50

Chicken Liver Pâté
Apple chutney and raw apple,toasted sourdough €8.00

Dingle Gin Cured Goatsbridge Farm Trout
Avocado purée, radish, toasted macadamia nuts €8.00

Moloughney's Smoked Pork Ribs
Bacon and maple relish, slaw €14.00

Something More Substantial

Vegetarian Salad v
Tenderstem broccoli, sweet potato, blueberries, cranberries, toasted almonds,Macroom buffalo mozzarella, baby leaves, mint, toasted pumpkin sunflower & sesame seeds, balsamic dressing €14

House “Hot Smoked" Goatsbridge Farm Trout Salad
Fennel, orange, beetroot, citrus & olive oil dressing brown soda bread €15

Thyme and Lemon Breast of Chicken Salad
Toasted barley, pickled carrot and radish, toasted nuts, balsamic dressing( add black pudding the new superfood) €14

Kale and Pickled Tomato Salad
Avocado, toasted quinoa, orange, macadamia nuts, baby kale, lemon and ginger dressing €14

8oz Hereford Sirloin Steak
Chunky chips, béarnaise, crispy onion ring,tossed salad €21

Pan Fried Free Range Chicken
Roast sprouts, baby onions, celeriac, colcannon, jus €14

Moloughney's Wild Irish Venison Burger
Waterford blaa, pickled cabbage, cheese, relish, chunky chips €14

Moloughney's Fish Pie
Smoked Trout, cod and mussels, parmesan mash €14

Pasta Specials - Changes daily

Fish Specials- Changes daily

Sandwiches

From the Bretzel Bakery - white or rye bread, soft floury roll. Gluten free bread from Goodness Grains. Add soup or chunky chips to any sandwich +€3. Takeaway Discount less 10%

Roast Beetroot, Avocado & Broccoli Wrap v Hummus, toasted almonds, couscous (vegan) €6.50

Ploughman’s v Knockanore smoked cheese, homemade tomato chutney, mixed leaves, red onion & relish €5.50 (add baked ham 6.50)

Chicken Caesar Wrap Poached chicken breast, cos lettuce, parmesan, croutons, bacon, caesar dressing €7.90

Moloughney's 'Hot smoked' Trout on brown soda bread capers, homemade herb and lemon mayonnaise €8.90

Pulled Pork in a Blaa Moloughney's barbeque sauce, red cabbage and apple slaw €7.50

For Juniors Only!

Vegetable Soup

Homemade brown bread €3.00

Raw Peppers & Carrots v €3.00

Homemade Cod Goujons Chunky chips & veg / mash & veg €8.50

Penne Pasta -Tomato & Basil parmesan cheese €6.00

Moloughney’s CheeseBurger €9.50

Waterford blaa, seasonal leaves, chunky chips €9.50 

Roast Chicken mash, veg, gravy €8.00

Ice Cream & Hot Chocolate Sauce €3.00

Fresh Fruit Salad Natural yoghurt or cream €3.50

Chocolate Biscuit Cake €3.00

Chocolate Brownie vanilla ice-cream €3.00

Cranberry and White Chocolate Cookie €2.50

Afters

The Sweet Deal
Coffee & Cake or Coffee & daily cake/cookie €6.50/ €4.50

Dessert Coffee
Scoop of homemade praline ice cream plus an espresso €4.90

Blackberry Trifle
Thyme custard, blackberry jelly, crumble toping €5.50

Apple Crumble
Walnuts, blackberry ice cream €5.50

Warm Chocolate Brownie
Cherry ice cream, hazelnuts €5.50

Lemon Tart
Creme fraiche, raspberry €5.50

Chocolate Biscuit Cake
Cream €5.00

Chocolate Brownie
Warm, with cream or ice cream €5.00

Moroccan Orange & Almond Cake
Creme fraiche, orange segments €5.00

White Chocolate & Cranberry Cookie
€2.50

Fresh Fruit Salad
Natural yoghurt or cream €5.00

Mini Cheese Plate
with homemade biscuits, fruit & chutney. Choose two cheeses: Knockanora Oak Smoked Cheddar, Ardrahan, Killeen Goats, Cashel Blue, Cooleeney Camembert €6.90

Fruit, Plain, Wholemeal or Gluten Free Scone
Homemade, jam & butter or cream €2.95

Drinks

All take away coffees incl cappuccino/latte €2 (excludes hot chocolate). Soya milk available +0.40c

Loose leaf teas from Clement & Pekoe
Breakfast Blend/Oolong/Earl Grey/Lung Ching Green Organic Camomile/Organic Peppermint/Rooibos €2.20

Coffee/Espresso/Macchiato €2.20

Cappuccino/Latte €2.80

Mocha/Hot Chocolate
made with crushed Belgian chocolate €3.00

Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice €3.20

The Apple Farm of Tipperary
Irish Apple Juice €2.80

SynerChi Live Kombucha
Lightly Sparkling Raspberry & Rosehip / Ginger & Lemongrass (59kcals!) €3.20

Soda

Coke/diet/orange/7up €1.75
Milk
€1.50
Mineral water (regular)
€1.75
Mineral water (large)
€3.50
Ribena
Orange/Blackcurrant €1.50
Kids Innocent Smoothies
Apple & Blackcurrent/ Orange & Mango €2.50

v = suitable for vegetarians

Proud to be working with local and Irish suppliers including Vernon Stores, Wild Irish Game, McKennas of Clontarf, Kish Fish, La Rousse Foods, Comeragh mountain Lamb, Ballinwillin Farm Co. Cork, Doran’s seafood, O Mahony meats, Toonsbridge Farm, Bretzel Bakery, Bewleys, Clement & Pekoe, Carlow Brewing Company & Dungarvan Brewing Company.

All our meat, poultry, game & eggs are Irish

Coeliacs – Separate menu. All food allergies should be made known to your waiter.

No service charge has been included. A discretionary 10% will be added to your bill for parties of 10 or more. All gratuities go directly to staff.

DINNER

The Deal at Moloughney's

Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri & Sun, all evening
Saturday – until 6.30pm (on Saturday the deal only applies if tables back by 8.15!)
Closed Monday for dinner (except bank holidays)

2 courses €23, 3 courses €28 (one person only)
2 people, 2 courses + a bottle of selected wine €68
(not available for groups of 8+)

Starters

Potato & Chestnut Soup v
Watercress oil, pickled chestnuts €7.00

Dingle Gin Cured Goatsbridge Farm Trout
Avocado purée, radish, toasted macadamia nuts €9.00

Beetroot Salad v
Salt baked and pickled beets, Cooleeny cheese, walnuts, balsamic dressing €10.00

Moloughney's Smoked Pork Ribs
Bacon jam, slaw €10.00

Seared Breast of Wild Irish Pigeon
Beluga lentils, pear €12.00

Chicken Liver Pâté
Apple chutney, cranberry, pickled golden raisins, toasted sourdough €8.00

Cod and Crab Open Lasagne
Bisque poached cod, Dingle crab meat €12.00 (€2 supplement on deal)

Roast Cauliflower v
Pickled and puréed cauliflower, raisins, hazelnut truffle dressing €10.00

Mains

Pan Fried Free Range Chicken
Roast sprouts, baby onions, celeriac, colcannon croquette, jus €18.00

Free Range Naul Tamworth Belly & Loin of Pork
Cabbage crisps, rainbow carrots, candy apple, pulled pork mash, jus €19.00

Wild Irish Venison Burger
Waterford bla, relish, pickled red cabbage, aioli, cheese, chunky chips €17.00

Comeragh Mountain Lamb
Fried basil gnocchi, charred broccoli, broccoli lemon purée, smoked almonds €26.00 (+€8 supplement)

Wild Irish Pheasant Breast
Confit leg and bacon remoulade, pumpkin purée, parsnip fondant, spiced granola, duck fat roasties €21.50(€3 supplement on deal)

Hereford Prime Irish Beef 10 oz Ribeye
Onion & horseradish relish, buttered scallions, choice of potato gratin, creamy mash or chips, choice of Béarnaise, peppercorn or red wine jus €28.00 (€9 supplement)

Hereford Prime Irish 10oz Fillet
Onion & horseradish relish, buttered scallions, choice of potato gratin, creamy mash or chips, choice of Béarnaise, peppercorn or red wine jus €30.00 (€11 supplement)

Homemade Sorel Tagliatelle v
Ardsalagh goat's cheese, wild mushrooms, walnuts €17.00

Butter Squash Curry(Vegan) v
Courgettes and aubergine, crispy spiced chickpeas, toasted almonds and cranberry wild rice €17.00

Moloughney's Fish Pie
Cured egg yolk, parmesan mash, aged balsamic tossed leaves €17.00

Fish Specials
Change daily - usually at least two specials, one included in the deal and one supplemented

Sides

Skinny/ Chunky Chips with Aioli, baked sweet potato wedges, mixed seeds & parmesan, buttermilk crispy onion rings, broccoli, peas & toasted almonds
€4.00

Afters

Lemon Tart
Creme fraiche, raspberry €7.00

Blackberry Trifle
Thyme custard, blackberry jelly, crumble topping €7.00

Moloughney's Warm Chocolate Brownie
Cherry ice cream, hazelnuts €7.00

Apple Crumble
Walnuts, blackberry ice cream €7.00

Muscat Poached Pear and Plum
Ginger bread, bay and ginger ice- cream €7.00

Chocolate and Cointreau S'more
Biscuit base, burnt marshmallow €7.00

Moloughney's Homemade Ice- cream
Toasted oat brittle €7.00

Dessert Coffee
Scoop of homemade praline ice cream plus an espresso €4.90

Mini Cheese Plate
Choose two cheeses, sourdough toast, fruit & chutney €7.00

Full Cheese Board
Selection of cheeses (oak smoked Gubeen cheddar, Mileens, Killeen semi-firm goats, Cashel Blue, St. Killeen Camembert) with homemade cheese biscuits, toasted yeast bread, fruit & chutney €12 (€4 supplement). Add a dessert wine or port (+€4)

v = suitable for vegetarians

Proud to be working with local and Irish suppliers including Vernon Stores, Wild Irish Game, Wrights of Marino, Dorans Seafood, Kish Fish, McKennas of Clontarf, O’Mahony Meats, William Drohan’s farm, O’ Mahony Meats, Balliwillin Farm, West Cork Natural Cheese, Lilliput stores, Bewleys, Clement & Pekoe, Carlow Brewing Company & Dungarvan Brewing Company.

All our meat, poultry, game & eggs are Irish. Eggs are free-range.

Coeliacs – Separate menu here. All food allergies should be made known to your waiter.

No service charge has been included. A discretionary 10% will be added to your bill for parties of 10 or more. All gratuities go directly to staff.

Cash tips only please!