Mark and Claire Woods' appealing restaurant at the heritage centre in Carlingford has a well-earned local following and - with welcoming pavement menu boards and plenty of space at the front for a very pleasant outside seating area it's an enticing prospect for hungry passers-by.
Indoors, what was once a tiny space soon developed to meet demand and it has always packed a mighty punch, offering great cooking and modern menus.
Begin, perhaps, with one of Mark's excellent "something soups" or something from a selection of about ten starters (baked stuffed mushrooms with wilted spinach stuffing, garlic cream sauce topped with cheese gratin and toasted crostini and pork spring roll with Hoi Sin, pepper coulis, basil oil and baby cos indicate the style).
A similar number of main courses offer favourites like sirloin steak and roast chicken alongside ideas from further afield like the signature Thai spiced pork in a light batter with sticky rice, curry oil, sweet soy & Asian salad or hot & sour onions.
There are some appealing vegetarian dishes too including a chickpea and lentil dhal curry.
The pizza list has some intriguing names – anyone for a King John or a Brown Bull?
Desserts offer a choice of four, possibly including a couple of retro dishes like baked Alaska and sticky toffee pudding, and the wine list is interesting and fairly priced.
Pricing generally is very reasonable and this is an interesting and enjoyable place to eat.
