Joan Power's gem of a café is just outside Dunmore East village – from the Waterford direction it’s past the harbour and 200m up the hill, on the left – but well worth the effort of seeking out for lovely fresh fish and home baking.
Joan's Lemon Tree Catering company was well established in the area before she opened this roadside café in 2008, and it has proved popular enough to become a destination for regulars who appreciate the good homemade food and friendly atmosphere.
It's quite a plain room, but lifted by original artwork (for sale) and it has a special area for children at the back. And it's a useful spot for self-catering holiday makers too, as the thriving catering business is very much in evidence at the deli counter, which is well stocked with tempting ready made meals, desserts and bakery products.
There’s a welcoming decking area out at the front and staff are very friendly and efficient, quickly bringing a blackboard daily specials menu to the table to consider alongside the main menu, so new arrivals soon feel at home – and it’s good to see all the restaurant suppliers chalked up on a blackboard on the wall.
They do breakfast and afternoon tea, and at lunchtime spanking fresh fish, salads and soups feature, together with a snack menu of fresh sandwiches terrines and pates etc.
You might try a soup - smoked haddock and mussel chowder, perhaps - with homemade brown bread, or main courses such as perfectly cooked tuna in lemon butter with fresh vegetables or a tasty vegetarian spinach roulade with cream cheese and piperade, which comes with two salads - pasta and two bean, perhaps.
Choose a dessert from a tempting display - chocolate cake, or home made rhubarb tart, perhaps – and round it all off with a well-made cappuccino.
Six well-chosen wines are offered for lunch, by the glass, pitcher or bottle; a larger list is available in the evening.
In high summer (July and August), jazz dinners make this an especially upbeat destination on Friday and Saturday nights.
