Connemara's loss has proved to be Kerry's gain, since - having worked together for the previous three years in Connemara’s Screebe House - chef Damien Ring and his front of house partner, Suzi O'Gorman, settled in Killorglin 'for the long run' in 2019.
Named after the year when it was first leased, in 1795, this fine corner building has been transformed into a stylish contemporary restaurant, with lots of glass, marble topped tables and very comfortable seating - and a pleasant bar area too, just a step up from the main restaurant seating.
Damien (a proud Limerick man) and Suzi (from Clare) have made it a welcoming space, where warm service and a relaxed ambience are just as important as the good food served.
While there's no specific provenance statement, quality local / Irish ingredients are the foundation of Damien's cooking - many well respected names feature on the menu, and the food on the plate tells the story.
Ring’s Chicken, Dexter Beef, Paudie’s Smoked Salmon, Dingle Crab, Toonsbridge, Coolea Cheese, and even a Waterford blaa, all feature and good use is made of them in imaginative modern Irish cooking - real come-back-for-more dishes with terrific flavour and textures.
To accompany, a good drinks list offers plenty of choice. You'll find a well balanced range of new and old world wines (three house reds and three house whites by the glass), interesting spirits, beer and cider choices - and desirable non alcoholic drinks are offered too, including Stonewell Cider and Seedlip Spirits.
All round this is a class act, and with excellent service too - you'll be glad that you found this gem.
