Myles and Ruth O’Brien have been running this fine bar and restaurant just outside Westport, at the foot of Croagh Patrick, since 1999 and have built up an enviable reputation.
Local seafood from Clew Bay is very much the speciality here – cod, mussels and oysters particularly - and menus also include named local and artisan foods such as and meat from the renowned butchers Kelly’s of Newport, Croagh Patrick Seafoods and organic vegetables from Joe Kelly of Kiltimagh.
The dinner menu offers a wide choice of starters and main courses, many of them local seafood as well as Clare Island salmon, Killary mussels, and lemon sole. A starter of Padraig Gannon’s natural oysters might be followed by a seafood pie gratin with cod, salmon, clams and mussels in a white wine sauce.
And, for anyone who is not in the mood for seafood, there are also plenty of good options - steaks, Mayo lamb shank and Tavern Irish beef lasagna, for example and there will usually be a vegetarian pasta dish or perhaps a baked Galway goat’s cheese flan.
Other enjoyable dishes include Clew Bay seafood penne and baked fresh cod with Clew Bay mussels - and prices are very competitive for the quality of food, excellent cooking and caring service.
The wine list offers a choice of 28 wines, including some half bottles and also some sparkling and dessert wines. Only a couple of wines are available by the glass but a range of 1/4 bottles is also offered.
Well-informed staff, who are nearly all local, are welcoming and know the menu and the nightly specials.
