Euro-Toques chef José Barroso from Portugal and his Westport born wife Sinead Lambert run this lively first floor café and restaurant on Bridge Street. Since closing their ground floor cafe in 2016, they are open upstairs all day - the room has quite a party atmosphere and it is in great demand on weekend evenings.
José takes pride in sourcing local and organic food and this is highlighted on his menus, where suppliers are credited - including Kate McCormack & Sons, Country Fresh, McLaughlin's Fruit & Veg, Clarke's Seafoods and O'Connells C&C, all in Westport; 100% Irish beef is from the Slaney Valley.
Lunch is a casual affair with tasty soups, chowder, wraps, panini and baguettes, and some appealing pasta dishes for a continental flavour; many main courses are likely to be under €10.
The welcome from the very helpful local staff is warm and friendly at all times, and there's a very good children's menu.
José's extensive evening menus offer a wide range of popular dishes (starters and pasta dishes, pizzas and a selection of fish, poultry and meat dishes, with at least ten choices in each section) and are well priced, with generous main courses ranging from about €12 to €22 .
Unusual dishes include a Trio of Irish meats (Irish fillet steak, pork and lamb, drizzled with a red wine jus), while daily specials could include local scallops and crab claws in a good beurre blanc, or roast duckling with an orange and cranberry sauce.
Popular desserts include tiramisu, banoffi pie and profiteroles.
A balanced choice of wines from the old and new worlds includes 4 house wines from about €20, also served by the glass, and some half bottles.
Try to get a window table so that you can watch the comings and goings on Bridge Street.
