Just a short hop up Pier Road from the harbour, Ronnie and Caroline Blake's smartly presented business is a favourite Rathmullan destination for those in the know. If you happen on it by chance, the clean-lined confident frontage and bold signage will certainly draw you in and, once inside, you'll find that they deliver on the promise too, and returning visitors waste no time in going back to check them out.
Formerly a pair of businesses including a smashing little fish & chip shop. Salt'n'Batter, it is now combined under the Belle’s Kitchen brand and the stylish makeover has made it an even more desirable destination.
Flagged as café and bistro, it's a very appealing smart-casual restaurant (and now also a bakery, with queues out the door for their super sourdoughs and patisserie...) where there's a good buzz and friendly staff who will always find somewhere to squeeze you in to enjoy a quick bite of wholesome homemade daytime food - a seafood pancake, perhaps, or chicken parmesan - or maybe just a slice of cake with a deliciously aromatic cup of Illy coffee. Evening brings a litle more formality and a wider menu choice, but the same high standards of food and service apply and local producers and suppliers are enthusiastically credited.
Ronnie is an accomplished and widely experienced chef - the pair include a 10 year stint in France on their CVs and have worked in many respected Irish establishments too, including nearby Rathmullan House. He understand the value of doing the simple things well - so, for example, you may expect gleamingly fresh, succulent fish and perfect hand cut chips - and consistent quality is the secret of their success.
And it’s well-priced too - no wonder so many regulars say they wouldn’t visit Rathmullan without coming for a bite on Pier Road at least once.
