Just Ask Resturant of the Month for December - Waterford Castle Hotel & Golf Resort

The “Just Ask!” Restaurant of the Month winner for December is the Munster Room Restaurant at Waterford Castle Hotel & Golf Resort

This beautiful hotel dates back to the 16th century, and is serenely situated on its own 310 acre wooded island (complete with 18-hole golf course), reached by a private ferry. There is no more romantic destination in Ireland – and it would be difficult to imagine one with more to offer discerning diners.

For over a decade Waterford Castle has been fortunate to have Michael Quinn as Head Chef and, during that time, he has earned the hotel – and, in particular, the Munster Room restaurant - a well-deserved reputation as one of Ireland’s most exciting places to eat.

Paradoxically, it is also one of the most understated - a style that can partly be attributed to the quiet elegance of the castle itself, and its setting, and partly one suspects to Michael’s grounding at Ballymaloe, where he trained in the Cookery School and then spent four years at Ballymaloe House before spreading his wings for some time and, finally, alighting on this charmed island.

No chef could spend his formative years at Ballymaloe without absorbing the ethos of Euro-Toques, the European community of chefs whose members are committed to promoting the quality and culinary traditions of each country and region of Europe – and which Myrtle Allen so successfully brought to Ireland in 1987.

Michael’s admirably simple food philosophy reflects this, and also his commitment to Slow Food – he likes to take fresh, local, seasonal ingredients and cook them in a style that he describes as  “contemporary Irish meets French technique”, where the aim is for simplicity that allows the true character and flavour of his delicious ingredients to take centre stage.

A set dinner menu offers outstanding value for the quality of the experience. It is not long, with just half a dozen choices on each course, but each concisely worded dish tells the story of its origins: Sally Barnes’ smoked haddock; seared Kilmore Quay scallops; char-grilled fillet of O’Flynn’s aged beef; trio of Comeragh lamb; local cheeses, including Knockalara Sheep’s and Crozier Blue.

Every dish is designed to showcase the wonderful ingredients at the kitchen’s disposal and, while the underlying theme is simplicity, Michael also loves a challenge and the Castle occasionally plays host to ‘an evening of epicurean delights’ such as the Real Food Feast held in 2009 and, last September, an inspired Historical Food Feast reflecting with meticulous care the style of hospitality of Princess d’Ardia Caracciola née Mary Purcell-Fitzgerald (1908 - 1968), the last member of the Fitzgerald family to live in Waterford Castle, the family home since 1160.

The staff are friendly and welcoming, even the pianist raises a hand of welcome in the handsome and atmospheric dining room which, with its richly panelled interior, makes a magnificent setting for Michael’s outstanding food.

A visit here is a treat by any standards – and where you will always be welcome to ‘Just Ask’.

* Michael Quinn has started a cookery blog which is gathering quite a following at the moment, click here to read all about it.

SAMPLE MENUS

WATERFORD CASTLE - MENU COVER PAGE 2010

Dear Guest,

As Executive Chef at Waterford Castle Hotel, I source the finest produce of the region. Our Meat comes from O’ Flynn’s butchers, Vegetables are organically grown by Tom Cleary of Wexford, our fish is sourced in Dunmore East & Kilmore Quay, Cheese is made by local artisan producers.

I hope you savour the fine foods of the region and the complimenting service in this elegant dining room.

Michael Quinn


WATERFORD CASTLE - DECEMBER DINNER MENU 2010

Table d’hôte Menu


Wild Rabbit Tart, Tea Smoked Loin, Carrot Puree & Grain Mustard Jus

Martin Simpson Shrimp Risotto, Tarragon, Parmesan Shavings & Lobster Oil

French Country Terrine, Red Onion Marmalade, Cornichon Dressing & Toasted Sour Dough

Seared Kilmore Quay Scallops, Cauliflower Puree, Boudain & Garlic Jus

Pan-fried Wild Wood Pigeon Breast, Pickled Cabbage, Muscat Jelly & Salted Hazelnuts

Whipped Ardsallagh Goats Cheese, White Truffle, Pinenuts and Oven Dried Tomatoes

*****
Celeriac & Harricot Bean Soup
Or
Blood Orange Sorbet

*****

Roast Skeaghanore Duck Breast, Jerusalem Artichoke Purée, Foie Gras Ballotine, Duck Rillet, & Jus

Roast Haunch of Wild Wicklow Venison, Individual Loin Wellington, Spinach, Parsnip & Beetroot Puree

Chargrilled Fillet of O’Flynn’s Aged Beef, Forest Mushrooms, Onion Mousseline, Turnip Fondant & Cep Cream

Pan-fried Monkfish with Buttered Savoy Cabbage, Gubeen Bacon, Smoked Haddock Croquette & White Truffle Veloute

Roast Cod, Braized Lentil du Puy, Root Vegetables, Mussel & Saffron Cream

Wild Mushroom Tart with White Onion Purée & Beurre Blanc Served with Pomme Puree and Tom Cleary’s Broccoli With Almond Butter

€ 65.00 per person plus 10% Service Charge

Side Orders
French Fries € 4.00
Side Salad € 4.00
Sautéed Onions € 4.00

Eurotoques Ireland – European Community of Chefs Promoting Local Sourcing – Protecting Culinary Heritage


December Early Bird Menu

Smoked Sally Barnes Haddock Risotto, Lemon, Tarragon & Parmesan Shavings

Whipped Ardsallagh Goats Cheese, White Truffle, Pinenuts and Oven Dried Tomatoes

Curried Parsnip Soup with Coriander Cream

*****

Chargrilled Sirloin of O’Flynn’s Aged Beef, Forest Mushrooms, Onion Mousseline & Cep Cream

Pan Fried Cod, Buttered Savoy Cabbage, Gubeen Bacon with Mussel Cream

Wild Mushroom Tart with White Onion Purée & Beurre Blanc Served with Champ Potato & Tom Cleary’s Broccoli

*****
Chocolate & Almond Brownie, Berry Syrup with Vanilla Ice-Cream

Apple & Brandy Crème Brulée with Sable Biscuits

Waterford Castle Blaa Pudding, with White Chocolate, Rum & Raisin Ice Cream

******

Tea or Coffee

€33.00 per person plus 10 % Service Charge

Side Orders

French Fries € 4.00
Side Salad € 4.00
Sautéed Onions € 4.00
Eurotoques Ireland – European Community of Chefs Promoting Local Sourcing – Protecting Culinary Heritage



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VIEW ALL JUST ASK RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH WINNERS

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“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.