Mark and Claire Woods' appealing restaurant at the heritage centre in Carlingford has a well-earned local following and - with welcoming pavement menu boards and plenty of space at the front for a very pleasant outside seating area it's an enticing prospect for hungry passers-by.
Indoors, what was once a tiny space soon developed to meet demand and it has always packed a mighty punch, offering great cooking and modern menus.
Begin, perhaps, with one of Mark's excellent "something soups" or something from a selection of about ten starters (risotto of ham and pea with basil oil & fresh parmesan and smoked fish cakes with olive tapenade & crème fraiche indicate the style); a similar number of main courses offers dressed up favourites like sirloin steak (with potato rosti, garlic & parsley butter and onion sauce) or shank of lamb, alongside ideas from further afield like Thai spiced pork in a light batter with sticky rice, curry oil, sweet soy & Asian salad or hot & sour onions.
There are some appealing vegetarian dishes too, probably including a house special, also seafood specals such as Carlingford mussels and oysters.
Desserts offer a choice of five, possibly including a very nice apple crumble with crème anglaise and ice cream, and the wine list is interesting and fairly priced.
Pricing generally is very reasonable and this is an interesting and enjoyable place to eat.
