The small but exceptionally charming village of Crookhaven is blessed with plenty of choice when it comes to good food and drink (for the holiday season at any rate), and this pleasing restaurant beside O'Sullivans Bar has earned a following.
Since 2013 it's been well run by Peter Ahern (formerly manager of O'Sullivans), with Head Chef Didin Hasanudin - who brings experience in top Indonesian/Malaysian restaurants - wowing visitors with menus that offer all of the treats expected in West Cork, plus some exciting extra flavours.
Smartly presented yet still cottagey, the restaurant is in three rooms of a two-storey building, with harbour views from the front rooms (best admired from tables in the bright and airy first floor room) and a cosier ambience in the third room, which is at its best after dark and well suited to larger groups who create their own atmosphere.
It's a welcoming place, with friendly staff who do their best to make sure that everyone's happy, even at the busiest times, and menus that are carefully planned to be quite short while offering a surprising amount of choice.
There's an emphasis on seafood, of course, but other options will probaby include Angus fillet steak (served with a bonemarrow and red wine reduction) a couple of poultry dishes and something out of the ordinary like Indian Malai Kofta with cottage cheese for vegetarians. Authentic Thai dishes feature too and there are many who travel specially to enjoy them.
But the big treat, when available, is local lobster which is simply chargrilled and served with garlic lemon butter - and, at around €28 far a whole lobster, it's not only delicious but great value too.
Desserts are quite a thing here too - and who could say no to mouthwateringly good hot almond fondant in filo or their wonderful oh-so-dark-and-rich speciality Belgian chocolate cake? And there's no shortage of good drinks to accompany, of course - including terrific coffee to round off your meal on a high note.
