Well located near the Linenhall Arts & Exhibition Centre in the heart of Castlebar, you can't miss this attractive little restaurant, with its cheerful red frontage. Ann McMahon set up here in the mid '90s and her son Aran and daughter Colleen McMahon now look after the day-to-day running.
They are very serious about the food they serve, but the tone is light-hearted - it's not a very large room but pine tables are quite well spaced, and most have a good view of the large blackboard menus that list all kinds of good things to raise the spirits of weary shoppers and culture vultures.
Wholesome, home-made fresh food is the order of the day here, and careful sourcing of ingredients is a point of pride - Castlemine farm's lamb, Pat Carolan's beef , locally grown seasonal veg from their local rural training scheme and the wonderful Glasraí farm, Irish farmhouse cheeses and locally roasted coffee by Bean West in nearby Westport
Regular dishes like home-made chicken liver paté, warm chicken salad with lemon and basil mayonnaise and ratatouille crostini are announced on one blackboard, while another gives hot specials like potato & lovage soup, Hake with Hollandaise, Greens & Bombay spiced spuds, Pepperonata & scamorza lasagne with Cornrue garlic bread..and Cashel Blue potato croquettes with beetroot chutney...
There's an interesting drinks menu (wines, juices, hot chocolate with marshmallows) and 'because we know that they love food too', there's also a special children's menu, one of many thoughtful touches. Luscious desserts (rhubarb trifle, for example) and good home bakes too: great little place.
* There's a second branch of Rua nearby: Rua Cafe Deli is a deli and bakery on Spencer Street, offers salads, sandwiches and artisan and specialist food products, freshly baked breads, cakes and scones.
