Formerly Le Bouchon, the area's leading restaurant lies behind a smart (some might say a little forbidding) marble frontage - but, once inside, it’s an attractive premises on two floors, with a few tables in the ground floor reception area and the main dining room on the first floor, where there's also a pleasant decked area that can be used for drinks (or occasional eating out) in fine weather. The interior is bright and uncluttered yet warm, and the simplicity is effective.
Owned by husband and wife team David and Siobhan Avrillier-Grange, who offer a pleasing combination of French cooking and Irish hospitality, La Bouche has earned a reputation that brings regular diners from a wide radius - and it's a pleasant surprise for visitors cruising on the Shannon when they're looking for somewhere out of the ordinary to eat.
Menus offer plenty of old favourites, such as starters of moules marinierès or garlic mushrooms, and mains like boeuf bourguinon or lamb shank. But there are also appealing fish dishes - hake with pancetta, perhaps - and unusual vegetables that are a far cry from the standard 'tricolour of potato, carrots and broccoli.
Terryglass courgette stuffed with summer vegetables, for example, along with butternut squash and coriander scented couscous. There are daily specials too - typically a duck dish and perhaps another fish choice.
Pretty desserts might include a luscious white chocolate crème brulée with crisp lemon shortbread - like everything else on the menu, desserts are carefully prepared and there's a certain French flair in the presentation. The short wine list is adequate, although offering a wider choice would complement the standard of the food.
This is a very useful restaurant to know about if you're visiting the area and gives value, especially on set menus. There's also a very nice little 'real food' children's menu, that's sure to mean smiles and clean plates all round.
