THE RISING TIDE

THE RISING TIDE

Enjoyed a terrific meal at Glounthaune’s Rising Tide Brasserie on Friday night. Quality local produce featured strongly across
the menus and must say that their early Bird (2 course for €20.00, 3 for €25.00) is top class and fantastic value).

I was on the al a carte and herself, her allowance cut, was on the Early Bird! But it was no punishment – I’ll have to think of something else.

Her starter was just fantastic. Two generous rings of Jack McCarthy Wild Boar Black Pudding (€6.95) and served with cider apple & seasonal leaves. A brilliant combination and an absolutely well balanced starter.

She followed that with the Rich Seafood Pie (€14.95), with monkfish, smoked haddock, cod & salmon in a leek sauce topped with creamed mashed potato. There was nice thin piped potato crust on the top but over 90 per cent was fish, fish, fantastic fish.

She was very happy and so was I. My starter was the House Speciality: Rising Tide Mussels (€8.50). There are three versions and I went for them steamed in a white wine and cream sauce. Mussels were excellent and just as well there was a spoon there for the wickedly tempting sauce.

Chef Patrick Kiely had a board full of specials up and I picked Kanturk man Jack McCarthy’s Pork Rack (€21.95) with mustard and brandy sauce and sun-dried tomato and potato mash.

Two serious chops, done to perfection, challenged me to do my worst and, yes, I wiped the plate clean. Pork Chops might not sound too exciting but put McCarthy and chef Kiely together and you get a top class dish.

No room for dessert but we did finish off the wine, quite decent ones too at the price: San Elias Sauvignon Blanc (€5.50 glass) and Cave De Gallician Cabernet Sauvignon, lovely and fruity, also at €5.50.

For those of you know who don't know the Rising Tide, there is parking alongside in the village and an overflow area to the right as you come down. The overflow also includes a play-area so that is handy for kids in the summertime.

It is quite a comfortable room, reached through the bar where they also serve food. Service is efficient and informative and very friendly and has been for a long time. Excellent eating here and that Early Bird allows you an inexpensive introduction if you haven’t been. Try it.