“Just Ask!” Restaurant of the Month for September -The Pantry & Corkscrew, Westport, Co Mayo

Our “Just Ask!” Restaurant of the Month winner for SEPTEMBER is The Pantry & Corkscrew, Westport, Co Mayo

Just off the Octagon in Westport’s handsome town centre, you’ll find this little gem, run by Westport man Dermott Flynn (the chef) and his Dublin-born wife Janice O’Rourke (front of house). It’s an atmospheric, slightly quirky place (think soft lighting and bits and pieces from their travels) with a cosy and comfortable ambience that’s in tune with their aim ‘to bring a casual and fresh Slow Food dining experience to the town’.
When they made the move west from Dublin, this was a new direction for them both - Janice was formerly a homeless services manager and Dermott retrained as a chef at The Cooks Academy and completed his WSET's in 2009/2010.

When they opened The Pantry & Corkscrew in 2010 the pair opted to offer ‘a small food menu and some good wine selections’ - a sound decision that reflected their philosophy and, with everything made on the premises and plenty of the area’s excellent local produce on the menu, it was in the spirit of the time and has helped them to keep improving all the time, and to thrive.

Dermott’s menus change regularly and the aim is to keep a balance of favourite dishes and new ones introduced for seasonal interest - but one thing that never changes is the ‘eat local’ commitment. Beef is mainly sourced from McCormack's butchers in the town and Kelly's of Newport (who also supply their legendary black pudding), while the Certified Organic Beef is sourced from Andarl Farm in neighbouring Galway, who also supply their unique free range ‘Velvet Pork’. Dermott uses only Irish Free Range chicken and eggs in his cooking, while all fish is fresh from West of Ireland waters or the North East Atlantic with Starcrest being one of the main suppliers, and all shellfish is sourced from Killary Shellfish. Most of the vegetables and salads are organic and locally sourced from Joe Kelly in Kiltimagh and Lavin's in Castlebar - and, while all of the cheeses offered are Irish, the local Aran Islands Goats Cheeses produced by Gabriel Faherty on Inis Mór are a particular source of pride.
Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options are available and, when it comes to drinks, the local beer produced by Mescan Brewery “not only tastes good but cooks beautifully too”, and wine lovers will find a carefully selected and fairly priced list that is arranged by style - and it includes a number of bottles that are highlighted as suitable for vegans. And, like all of the menus (Early Dining, A la Carte and Sunday Lunch), the entire wine list is given in Irish as well as English.

Westport is known for the range and quality of its restaurants and this one is up there with the best - it’s a great, big-hearted little place that offers real value, and it just goes on getting better. One to seek out.

For additional information on Just Ask and previous Just Ask winners, or to find out how to get involved, visit www.bordbia.ie.

OPENING HOURS
A la carte 5pm to 10pm
Early Dining: Nightly from 5pm to 6.30pm
2 Courses €21.95 or 3 Courses €24.95
(Last order for this menu is at 6.30pm)

SAMPLE MENU:

EARLY DINING MENU AG ITHE GO LUATH
Nightly from 5pm to 6.30pm
(Last order for this menu is at 6.30pm)
2 Courses €21.95 or 3 Courses €24.95

Pea, Potato & Mint Soup Toasted Crouton (V)
Chorizo, Aran Islands Feta & Rocket Salad
Smoked Atlantic Haddock Croquettes, Pickled Fennel, Lime Mayonnaise, Wild Rocket
Lemon, Herb & Fennel Risotto, with Aran Islands Feta, Fennel Crisps (V)

Local Mescan Stout Braised Irish Featherblade Beef
Local Organic Beef Burger
Local Andarl Farm Free Range Pork Fillet Medallions
with Lemon & Tarragon Sauce
Irish Cider Battered Fresh Atlantic Haddock, Pea & Fennel Puree, Hand Cut Chunky Chips
Lentil, Chickpea & Vegetable Masala Minted Velvet Cloud Yoghurt, Fluffy Basmati Rice (V)

Chocolate Orange Cake
Fruit Crumble

EVENING DINING BÉILE AN TRÁTHNÓNA
Tasty Beginnings.........
Pea, Potato & Mint Soup - €4.95
Local Surf & Local Organic Turf Spring Roll - €9.95
Smoked Atlantic Haddock Croquettes - €8.95
Gubeen Chorizo & Chicken Filo Parcel - €9.45
Crispy Corn Crusted Aran Islands Goats Cheese Pearls - €8.95
Lemon, Herb & Fennel Risotto, Aran Islands Feta (V) - €8.95

Main Event.......
Irish Cider Battered Fresh Atlantic Haddock - €18.95
Pan-fried Fresh Irish Hake Crispy Fresh Sea Trout Bon Bon Romesco Sauce - €21.95
10oz McCormack's Striploin Steak or 10oz Kelly’s Aged Rib Eye Steak - €23.95
Local Mescan Stout Braised Irish Featherblade Beef - €19.95
Andarl Farm Organic Beef Burger, Brioche Burger Bun - €14.95
Southern-Style Buttermilk Fried Free Range Irish Chicken Fillet - €18.95
Duo of Maple Glazed Andarl Farm Free Range Pork Fillet Steak & Kelly's Traditional Putog Mini Pie - €19.95
Lentil, Chickpea & Veg. Masala - €16.95
Jalapeño & Cheddar Arancini Aran Islands Feta (V) - €16.95

Something Sweet
(we always make our own) - €6.95
Lemon & Raspberry Tart
Chocolate Orange Cake with our Rose Ice Cream
Raspberry & White Chocolate Cheese Cake
Banoffee Sundae
Something Savoury
Irish Cheese Plate - €9.95

SUNDAY LUNCH MENU BIACHLÁR LÓN AN DOMHNAIGH

12pm - Last Order 4pm 12pm - An tOrdú Deiridh 4pm

Leek, Potato & Fresh Herb (GF) (V) - €5
Mild Chorizo with Poached Egg - €6
Crispy Cheddar & Jalapeno Arancino (V) - €7
Aran Islands Goats Cheese Salad (GF) (V) - €9

Fresh Herb Risotto (GF) (V) - €10
Tempura of Fresh Hake - €14
Kelly's Lamb & Red Currant Sausage - €13
Our Recipe Andarl Farm Free Range Pork & Gubeen Chorizo Burger - €13
Side Salad / Side Root Vegetable - €4

Warm Apple Crumble with Vanilla Ice Cream - €5
Warm Chocolate Cake with Fresh Cream (GF) - €5

Vegetarian, Gluten Free & Vegan Options available

As followers of the Slow Food Ethos we ensure that all of our dishes are freshly prepared and we use as much locally produced and locally grown sustainable ingredients as possible. Our food may take that extra few minutes of love and care to get the best from us. Switch off your phone, sit back, relax and enjoy...
Our Beef is locally sourced from Mc Cormack's & Kelly's of Newport. Our Certified Organic Beef is also locally sourced from Andarl Farm Our Pork is Free Range and is locally sourced from Andarl Farm. Our Black Pudding is locally sourced from Kelly's of Newport We only use Irish Free Range Chicken and Eggs in our dishes. Our Fish is fresh from West of Ireland waters or the North East Atlantic. All Shellfish is from Killary Shellfish. Most of our Vegetables and Salads are Organic and locally sourced from
Joe Kelly in Kiltimagh & Lavin's in Castlebar. Aran Islands Cheeses are local and all other cheeses on our Cheese Board are Irish.
*If you are prone to severe reactions to food allergies you should be aware that we have a small kitchen and use many listed allergens in many of our dishes. Please discuss specific requirements with your server at time of ordering.
10% Service Charge is added to Parties of 8 persons and more.

http://www.thepantryandcorkscrew.com/