Close to the sea, and on the edge of the Connemara National Park, husband-and-wife team Mike Laffey and Janet McDonnell's super restaurant with accommodation ticks all the right boxes for hungry visitors to this stunning area and it's well worth keeping an eye out for it.
It's set slightly below road level and (with the sign proclaiming only 'luxury budget accommodation') could easily be missed, but in fine summer weather you may spot people enjoying the sun at the sheltered terrace tables - and it would be a mistake to drive past.
Inside it's cosy and welcoming, with a charming little bar area and a dining room that's full of life, with plenty to please the eye including interesting artwork, a lobster tank and tables simply but promisingly set up with the little extras that augur well for a good meal, including salt and pepper mills. So far so very good, and it gets better with the arrival of menus that have a real sense of place.
They tell you about the bread and scones that are baked freshly every morning, the local jams from nearby Moyard, the wonderful Achill Island Sea Salt and the organic Connemara Mountain Lamb from Leenane - these small, lean animals take the flavours of the heather and herbs that they live on and they're the pride of the region.The lamb burger here is like no other - a must-try dish for hearty appetites and, at about €14.50, great value too.
They even farm their own mussels, down the road at Killary fjord - they are used to garnish fish dishes and in specialities like Moule Frites, a big bowl of plump mussels in a creamy sauce topped, perhaps, topped with wild samphire gathered from the foreshore in season, and served with excellent skin-on chips.
Head chef Stuart Lindley does a great job, everything is prepared from scratch and both the cooking and service are excellent.There's a great sense of pride in everything that's done here and the presentation of every plate tells the story: beautiful and with careful attention to detail, but without distracting from the main message - great tasting food.
A treasure well worth seeking out.
