In a stylishly renovated 18th century building which was once the home of the distillery owners, Gary Stewart’s atmospheric bar and restaurant is a lovely mixture of old and new.
Smart modern lightwood bar stools with comfortable curved backs, comfy sofas, and table lamps lending a warm ambience to the bar; beyond it, the restaurant is more rustic by comparison, with open stonework and a fireplace lending charm.
As a Taste Causeway member, showcasing the exceptional produce of the area is a priority. In summer there may be a focus on seafood, such as a starter of salmon cured with Old Bushmills whiskey, and perhaps Ballycastle lobster and crab when available.
There will also be good meats such as Tamworth rare breed pork, and steaks or local lamb from McKays butchers in Ballycastle, and interesting vegetarian dishes with mainstream appeal - a speciality starter for two to share, for example, is a box-baked camembert, served with mixed breads and house pickle...
Lunch and early evening menus offer particularly good value and the wine list, which offers many bottles sourced directly from auction and sold with only a small mark up, includes a fair choice of house wines and half bottles.
Since 2021 Tartine has also offered some of their own products, to buy in the restaurant or in quality delis and farm shops on the Causeway Coast. First up was Gary's small batch Pickle Sauce, which is ideal with cheeses, charcuterie, burgers and to use in sandwiches. In the restaurant it is served with their Irish Cheeseboard and with their baked Camembert sharing starter. Ingredients include local apples, spices and (of course) a splash of Black Bush Whiskey and it quickly garnered awards from the Irish Food Awards / Blas na hEireann and the Great Taste Awards (One Star). Next came the Distillers Raspberry and Apple sauce, which enhances all kinds of desserts, especially ice cream.
Tartine sometimes hosts cultural events such as art exhibitions too, and is available for gatherings such as small weddings.
* River Café, next door, is in common ownership with Tartine and also offers good food - snacks, hot lunches, afternoon tea....
