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Just Ask Restaurant of the Month for February - Sash at No 1 Pery Square, Limerick

The “Just Ask!” Restaurant of the Month winner for February is Sash at No. 1 Pery Square, Limerick

Sash Restaurant - Blue Table There’s been a new confidence about Limerick city since it was chosen as City of Culture in 2014 and first time visitors are invariably wowed by the elegance of its ‘Georgian Quarter’ - especially its most famous Georgian square, where this chic boutique hotel occupies a large site overlooking the leafy Peoples Park.

Formerly a corner group of family homes and now immaculately restored in authentic celebration of the original architectural features, this was a labour of love for proprietor Patricia Roberts and her husband.

For years we used to swing up around the square every time we were in Limerick, just to see if the mysteriously shrouded corner building had been unveiled; it seemed to take for ever but then at last, in 2008, there it was in all its glory.

And this year No. 1 Pery Square has joined The Blue Book (Irish Country Houses & Restaurants Association), an appropriate coming of age for an hotel dubbed ‘a country house in the city’.

Having had a productive garden from the outset, No. 1 Pery Square was ahead of the trend for city hotels to produce some of their own food on site - and even the Spa reflects the same philosophy, with the Voya organic range produced by the Celtic Seaweed Baths in Sligo used alongside totally natural Sodashi products.

Sash Restaurant - food The restaurant - recently renamed Sash in homage to the building’s elegant sash windows - has always been a destination restaurant within a destination hotel, which is some achievement for a business that opened at the beginning of the recession.

French head chef Fred Duarte's love and passion for the business mirrors the commitment of Patricia and her team - and he was no stranger to Limerick diners when he took over the kitchen last year. His CV included a spell as sous chef at Dan Mullane's nearby food lovers' favourite, The Mustard Seed, and, with such a pedigree, diners can expect unfussy food with big flavours, cooked with French finesse.

Limerick’s historical connection with ham is not lost on Fred and, on both the à la carte and the popular Market Menu, the noble pig features in many dishes that skilfully blend local and continental influences, such as his No.1 Crubeen (pig’s trotter) Terrine with Apricot Chutney and Sea Salt Crostini, and an unusual house speciality of Fresh Mussels with Ham Hock and Longueville House Artisan Cider Sauce.

The cooking at Sash may have a distinctly French accent, but it’s ‘proper food’ based on the No.1 Kitchen Garden's own seasonal produce, as available, and fresh ingredients sourced from the best local suppliers. “And we use our menus and our website to introduce our valued suppliers to our customers,” says Fred.

Beef from local farmers in Limerick and Clare is butchered locally by Pat O’Connor and Michael O’Loughlin; Michael also supplies ham and pork from Staunton’s of Timoleague, Co. Cork and Irish chicken is supplied by Western Brand in Co. Mayo. Fish and seafood come from several specialist suppliers including the famous Limerick fishmongers René Cusack, also Star Seafoods in Kerry and Atlantis Seafoods of Kilmore Quay. Dairy products come from the innovative organic co-operative, The Little Milk Company, as well as La Rousse Foods.

Sash - Vegetables Delicious vegetables and side dishes merit special mention, based on fresh produce supplied by well known Limerick wholesaler David Kearney, and organics from Emer O'Flaherty’s Springfield Walled Garden at Broadford.

The celebration of local food together with a friendly atmosphere and great service make this a premier dining destination for anyone visiting Limerick - and wine tastings and classes are offered in the hotel’s Wine Room, where you’ll also find artisan products, including their own, on sale.

SAMPLE MENU:

Sample Seasonal Market Menu

Starters

Soup of the Evening
No.1 House Bread

Roast Beet & Goats Cheese
Walnut, Mesculum, Endive

No.1 Crubeen Terrine
Apricot Chutney, Sea Salt Crostini

Duck Liver Parfait
Blood Orange, Date Compote, Toast

Main Courses

Leek & Lemon Risotto
Lemon Zest, Aged Parmesan Shavings

Hereford Braised Beef Cheek
Bourguignon, Creamed Potato

Pan Seared Halibut*
Butter Bean & Chorizo

Roast Chicken Supreme
Stuffed Roulade Ham Hock, Thyme Jus

10 Oz Irish Rib Eye**
Seasonal Leaves, Fries, Béarnaise or Pepper Sauce

Side Dishes

Local Organic Leaves/ Roasted Baby Potatoes/ Dressed French Beans/

Honey & Lavender Carrots/ Creamed Potatoes/ Rosemary & Sea Salt Fries

Desserts

Seasonal Berry Eton Mess
Crushed Meringue & Cream

Warm Apple, Honey, Pecan & Ginger Crumble
Artisan Vanilla Ice Cream

Lemon Posset
Le Petite Madelines

Our Suppliers

Organic Leaves – Springfield Farm & Kearney’s
Meats – O’Loughlin’s & O’Connors Butchers
Seasonal Herbs – No.1 Kitchen Garden
Cheeses – The Little Milk Co. & La Rousse
Seafood – Rene Cusack, Star & Atlantis

Tuesday – Thursday 5.30pm – 9.30pm
Friday Up To 6.30pm
Saturday 12.30pm - 6.30pm | Sunday 1.00pm - 6.00pm
Market Menu 2 Courses - €25 | 3 Courses - €29
*€3 Supplement | **€5 Supplement | ***€7 Supplement

Sample Seasonal Dinner Menu

Starters

Soup of the Evening
No.1 House Bread

Roast Beet & Goats Cheese
Walnut, Mesculum, Endive

Duck Liver Parfait
Blood Orange, Date Compote, Toast

Fresh Mussels with Ham Hock
Longueville House Artisan Cider Sauce

Ham Hock & Pistachio Terrine
Pineapple Chutney, Crostini

Main Courses

Leek & Lemon Risotto
Lemon Zest, Aged Parmesan Shavings

Hereford Braised Beef Cheek
Bourguignon, Creamed Potato

Sash Bouillabaisse
Fred’s Seafood Special

Pan Seared Halibut
Butter Bean & Chorizo

Roasted Chicken Supreme
Stuffed Roulade Ham Hock, Thyme Jus

10 Oz Irish Rib Eye
Seasonal Leaves, Fries, Béarnaise or Pepper Sauce

Side Dishes

Local Organic Leaves/ Roasted Baby Potatoes/ Dressed French Beans/
Honey & Lavender Carrots/ Creamed Potatoes/ Rosemary & Sea Salt Fries

[Price guide: Starters €6-€9; Mains €15-27; sides €3.50; Desserts 27-£8 (Cheese Plate €11; Cheese & Charcuterie Plate €16)]

Our Suppliers

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VIEW ALL JUST ASK RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH WINNERS

“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.