Easy to spot with its white walls and beautiful hanging baskets - and the cast iron farm gates wide open in a welcoming, “Come say Hello”, type of way - Jen's is in the former Knockdrinna Cheese café in the charming little Kilkenny village of Stoneyford. Alongside a yard, where you can sit out on sunny days, this homely spot has a country cottage feeling with pictures of thatched cottages on the whitewashed stone walls.
You'll be met by the aroma of fresh baking - and the sight of Jen cooking up some treats in the little kitchen-cum-cafe, where there are about five tables. It feels like stepping into a friend’s kitchen and, at lunchtime, it is filled with lucky locals.
Jen cooks alnost everything and anything she hasn’t made herself is sourced from excellent local suppliers. The delicious trout paté, for instance, is from Mags Kirwan of Goatsbridge Trout Farm farm just down the road and it's served with Jen’s own homemade ciabatta, freshly made that morning.
The tempting array of good wholesome food includes homemade sausage rolls, soup, savoury pies, and quiches, not to mention the vast selection of freshly made cakes.These are all available to take away and on a fine day it would be a great idea to pick up some homemade pate, breads, quiche and perhaps a bit of cake and have yourself a picnic by the river in the neighbouring town of Kells.
Although it's mainly a daytime place, Jen's offers evening meals on Friday and Saturday nights - so, if you like the idea of getting away from the bustle of Kilkenny City nightlife, this might be just the spot for you.
