After nearly two decades on Lower Main Street, the Molloy family's popular restaurant in the centre of Letterkenny moved around the corner in 2017, to spacious new premises (with parking) at the Courtyard Shopping Centre.
As they say themselves, much to the relief of their many fans, it's a case of "Same staff same food, just new location" and - although the area is larger and broken up nicely by varying floor levels - returning diners will feel at home with the familiar understated neutrals and (bucking the bare wood trend) smart white-clothed tables.
Details like modern filament lighting add a contemporary feel to this pleasing restaurant and, as before, the open kitchen adds buzz as you can watch the three brothers -Thomas, Gary and Euro-Toques chef, Christopher Molloy - at work.
In business since 1999, they were well ahead of today's welcome trend for showcasing local foods, and their meats have always been locally sourced - as has the fresh fish which is a special feature.
But recently they have upped the ante even more - Chris is a Failte Ireland Food Champion, helping to promote Donegal as a food tourism destination, and it's well worth taking time to browse their website, where you'll find some fascinating information about wide ranging suppliers of everything from vegetables, seaweed and rapeseed oil to turf smoked salmon, sea salt and local drinks as well as wonderful Donegal meats, seafood and free range poultry. And, in the restaurant, you'll feel very close indeed to these local heroes as they're honoured - while also adding real interest to the decor - on a fascinating Producer Wall.
The house style is classically inspired modern Irish cooking and all of their tasty food, including breads, pasta and desserts, is freshly made in-house. A wide choice of starters might include Blow Torched Mackerel with Yogurt, Cumber & Watercress of Pressed Noone's Farm Chicken Leg Terrine with Spiced Onion Jam and Filo Crisp and, among the main courses, there will be several fish dishes and at least one tempting vegetarian option alongside a strong choice of meats including classics like Gildea's Farm 10oz sirloin steak with cirspy onion rings and pepper sauce.
The early dinner menu offers especially good value and includes homemade pasta dishes and tasty renditions of homely classics like seafood pie and burger & chips among a wide selection.
Sourcing local extends to the drinks list too, where you'll find not just a well chosen range of wines, but also Donegal craft beers to sample, and some local spirits too - a good excuse, if it were needed, to sit up on one of those high stools and enjoy a drink at the bar down at the back of the restaurant, before or after your meal.
