Just outside the campus of NUIG, 37 West is in the happy position of being located between two large and equally culinarily challenged institutions, the University and the Hospital. The café sits calmly looking across the busy road at the big business and campus buildings, a relaxed oasis from the hectic work vibe.
With just a few tables beside the windows at the front, a long seating area to the side, past the cake counter and open takeaway bar, this cafe may appear at first to be over staffed - but by lunch time it is easy to see that the brisk trade at the tables, as well as for take out, more than justifies the numbers.
Gill Carroll is the one woman powerhouse behind this restaurant on the fringes of college life where "Healthy is the new Sexy". The appeal of the healthy, good value menu is broad, with a mix of students, locals with young children and college staff filling the seats. It's an easy stroll from anywhere on campus and parking is easy to find nearby.
Galway's wellness warrior, Pat Divilly, has a hand in the wholesome and nutritious end of the menu – juices, smoothies and shakes with optional wheatgrass and hemp shots and generous salads packed full of tasty things.
There's a no-nonsense breakfast with proper Irish porridge finished with their homemade cinnamon apple sauce, granola packed to the brim with goodness, or a power omelette with heart friendly tomato and rocket.
But its not all virtuous salads and smoothies - there are melts, fishcakes and quiche with hot daily specials to round out the lunch time menu. Try the 37 West Burger, cheese, gherkins and chunky chips or the 37 West melt, crispy buttermilk chicken with a slab of Bandon Vale cheddar and spicy cajun mayo on Griffins sourdough. Go for a healthier option of marinated chicken skewers with salsa and garlic mayo, pitta bread and more of their tasty salad all presented beautifully on rustic wooden boards.
The cake counter is filled with desserts like lemon tart, brownies, carrot cake and cupcakes, freshly baked every day with a large choice of vegan and raw fare. The scones come with real butter and are available gluten-free for those afflicted with allergies or vegetarian for those troubled by conscience.
Although 37 West is not usually open in the evenings, they do have a small wine list, so are perfectly placed to cater for functions and parties for the many University societies and other groups.
There's excellent value from the takeaway counter with 'soup & sambo' combinations and very competitively priced salads served with hearty slices of homemade Cuinneog buttermilk and treacle brown bread. They do gift vouchers, good to know for concerned parents sending their offspring to college in NUIG. 37 West offers a tasty refuge from the canteen queues.
A great destination for guilt-free dining on deliciously good things. eee.twitter.com/37westgalway
