Situated on Canal Road in the centre of Letterkenny Retail Park is The Counter deli and coffee bar. Although its location on a roundabout beside Dunnes Stores and M&S is somewhat unpromising, it stands out as a diamond in the rough in this landscape.
Richard Finney and his wife first set up in business in Letterkenny in 2008, originally running a wine shop franchise before striking out on their own with this venture. The Counter started life as a wine shop and then the deli was added in 2013, and they developed their excellent food offering in September 2015.
The decor is modern industrial but the overall feel of the place is warm and welcoming. You could happily while away an afternoon here sampling the delicious produce on offer. A central communal table has most of the seating in the coffee bar and houses a small library of both children’s and adult books. The furniture is simple and tasteful and a chalkboard menu lists appetising breakfasts, lunches and daily specials.
The food is healthy and tasty and the menu is simple and uncluttered. Breakfast is served from 8.30am until midday with choices ranging from “posh” porridge to frittata, and peanut granola to avocado on toast.
Lunch offers homemade and creative soups and sandwiches such as a Fivemiletown goat’s cheese and caramelised onion toastie. There are daily specials on offer like smoked salmon fishcakes and avocado and tomato on sourdough toast with roasted red pepper hummus. Children are also catered for on the menu.
Pride is taken in sourcing quality local and national products and the delicious cakes and biscuits are homemade by Richard‘s mother-in-law.
Proper barista coffee comes from Cork based coffee roasters Badger and Dodo, and there is also a guest coffee available for an extra 40c per cup. Richard is something of a coffee afficionado, so coffee lovers are in very good hands here.
The deli stocks high quality produce from local and national firms such as The Haven Smokehouse in nearby Carrigart, Sheridans cheesemongers, and artisan patés and terrines from Isabelle Sheridan's terrific Cork outfit, On the Pig’s Back.
The wine shop sells wines from all over the world sourced by the owners from small vineyards and they range in price from €10 to €40. The tasting notes for each wine are informative and are a nice touch. Craft beers and ciders are also on sale and again the emphasis is on local producers like Kinnegar and MacIvors.
There are plans for Friday evening wine tasting events - judging by The Counter’s established form these are bound to be a resounding success.
