Kate and Andrew Cooke’s atmospheric bar and restaurant with rooms in the centre of Cahirciveen abounds with character. Customers arriving into the bar off the street are greeted by the sight of original features include a magnificently rugged old stone wall and an enormous fireplace (where a cheering fire burns on chilly days) , as well as some striking modern features including an impressive zinc-topped bar - and there are numerous pictures of local interest and nautical antiques, reflecting Andrew’s special love affair with the sea.
The sea is fundamental here anyway, as local fish and seafood is the main focus on menus in both the restaurant and bar - supplied by the family company, Quinlan’s Kerry Fish at Renard’s Point (see entry; one of their shops is just across the road).
It’s a busy place, appealing to all age groups, both local and visitors – and, with its warm colours, subdued lighting and professional feel, everyone arriving immediately feels cheered and relaxed. Delicious char grills are a speciality, with lots of olive oil and garlic: fresh crab claws and crabmeat, also pan-seared baby squid - and sizzling prawns.
These will be the beautiful big Atlantic prawns, often referred to in this area as 'Dingle prawns'; they are the same as 'Dublin Bay prawns', ie langoustines - this is not a place where inferior imported prawns will be found. Sustainability is recognised as a key issue here and, on the rare occasions when farmed fish is on the menu, it is carefully sourced.
There's always a good choice of daily blackboard specials in addition to the menus, which are flexible - many of the starters can be served in a main course size and, although it undoubtedly helps to like seafood, there are plenty of other choices too.
Main courses include excellent meats - supplied by local butcher, Miller's, from their own and neighbouring farms - to balance up all that ultra-fresh seafood: rack of Kerry lamb, South Kerry pork and char-grilled fillet steak.
The most pleasing aspect of the food here has always been its immediacy - everything is ultra-fresh, simply prepared and full of zest. And, given the quality of the food and high standard of cooking, it is also good value.
An interesting wine list offers half a dozen wines by the bottle, carafe and glass (from Chile, Australia, Italy and California), and the main list is organised temptingly by style – ‘fresh, light & crisp’, unusual and aromatic’, ‘magnificent, complex’ etc.
Service is very professional, with special requirements, such as coeliac diets, catered for and well understood. At the back of the restaurant, there’s a charming sheltered outdoor dining area and landscaped garden, which also gives access to the accommodation.
[*Rib Rides are available for coastal trips/ water taxi (up to 6 passengers), inquire from the staff]
Accommodation: Quinlan & Cooke Boutique Townhouse
While QC's Seafood Restaurant has been a favourite Kerry destination for over 15 years, the accommodation has gradually been developed and is now equally sought out for its quality, individuality and quirky contemporary style.
Adjoining the restaurant and accessed through a delightful courtyard, the ten spacious bedrooms include an impressive penthouse suite (complete with sleigh bed, in-room roll top bath and a telescope, allowing guests to get the most from their sea and coastal view) as well as 'deluxe' and 'superior' rooms, all of which have big, comfortable beds (king or twin) and are individually decorated with originality and verve.
The en-suites sport monsoon showers and Gilchrist & Soames toiletries and, as well as complimentary Wifi and flat screen TV, each room has a Bose iPod docking station, a Nespresso coffee machine and a mini-fridge containing selection of organic fruit compotes with natural yogurt, homemade granola, fresh fruit salad, mineral water and organic juices for your breakfast.
Instead of going down for breakfast, guests here are treated to "breakfast in the room”: as well as the treats in the fridge, freshly baked croissants and muffins are hung on your door during the night, making for a lovely healthy breakfast to eat whenever it suits - perhaps lounging in the huge bed. This does mean that the full Irish breakfast is not an option, but the alternatives are delicious.
Other unexpected facilities offered by Quinlan & Cooke include Clay Pigeon shooting, FSX Golf studio and a small well-equipped gymnasium - but, despite all the wonderful things that have been laid on here for the comfort and enjoyment of their guests, it's the hands-on involvement of Kate and Andrew themselves that makes this such a special place to visit.
