Mangos Restaurant at the top of Westport’s main street was much missed when it closed in 2016, so there was a warm welcome when it was reopened by a local chef.
Owner/Chef Cian Hayes is well known in Westport, having worked in several kitchens in the area, and Cian's on Bridge Street is his first restaurant.
Opening just the ground floor initially (with renovations ongoing upstairs), the layout will be familiar to many although the sea-faring theme is no more and it is now a much brighter than it was. It is a welcoming space. especially on a sunny evening, and with an interesting bill of fare posted at the door hungry menu browsers are easily attracted in.
Service is friendly, with breads and water delivered to the table with the menu, but don't hesitate to ask for the specials board if it isn't offered as some of the best choices may well be on it.
At dinner you'll find excellent renditions of classics among the half dozen or so starters - mussels marinière, for example, which is a generous serving with a well made sauce and also available as a main course.
About half of the the eight main courses on the dinner menu are likely to be seafood, offered in various styles, and there will be more on the specials board - pan seared sea trout with clams, broad beans, fennel chard and caper butter is a very good summer dish, for example, also pan fried hake with chorizo and new potatoes. There is plenty of choice for non fish eaters though, including variations on the ever-popular steak and at least one vegetarian option - linguine with butternut squash, chard, mushrooms and smoked garlic, for example. The cooking is good and dishes are nicely presented with some extra vegetables on the side.
A well made sorbet (plum, perhaps) is served before the main course, which is a nice touch, and there are six homemade desserts to choose from, and good coffee.
A small wine-list offers 4 whites and 4 reds, priced from €22.50 to €29.50 and €6.00 per glass, and overall Cian's gives good value for the quality of the
food.
