Enjoy the view and broaden your dining horizons with a trip to The Lodge at Myrtleville.

Enjoy the view and broaden your dining horizons with a trip to The Lodge at Myrtleville.

It was almost by accident that we found ourselves in Myrtleville last Friday evening. It was also by design, as we had it in mind as we bussed it to Carrigaline to pick up the car, which had been “recuperating” for a week. Cogan’s made a great job of it after a touring visitor had driven through a stop sign and hit us in Dingle. 

With the car collected, we had a choice: either go back to town through the rush hour traffic or head to the calm of the sun and the blue sea, and a meal at The Lodge. There was always going to be the one winner here!

And we certainly hit the jackpot. Headed first to Fountainstown, where quite a few were taking advantage of the late afternoon sun to take a dip in the bay. We headed up the hard-surfaced path (entrance opposite Angela’s Shop and Coffee Dock) and enjoyed the views from the height. 

When we walked out onto the rocks, we were approached by a Middle Eastern couple who had been sitting on the only seat in that section. The man spoke:  “I think you have come a long way. Would you like to take the seat?”  

We had a brief conversation and explained that we wouldn’t be staying long, just for a few minutes, and thanked him and his wife for their kind offer. That little courteous exchange enhanced the good mood as we strolled back to the car park and then headed for nearby Myrtleville.

We were among the early customers at The Lodge, but it soon began to fill up, and we noticed that virtually all the inside tables had reserved notices on them when we left around five thirty.

At that stage, the feel-good factor was even stronger as we had, as always, enjoyed our meal here, not to mention the views from the height of the Lodge, which also has a sunny outdoor spot. I love the curries here, but this time we went for something a little different from the multi-choice menu.

We actually shared the two main dishes at the suggestion of our savvy server. My favourite was perhaps the Masala Chicken Pakora: Golden fried chicken marinated in spiced gram flour, served with a tangy tamarind mayo (13.90).

Masala is a mixture of ground spices used in Indian cooking, and a very engaging one at that, not overly hot. The chicken was moist and tender, perfectly cooked in the spiced gram flour (probably made from ground chickpeas), and the masala only made it better.

Fountainstown

Our other dish was the Mojo Rojo Beef Taco: a crisp tortilla with smoky Mojo Rojo sauce, topped with slaw, pickled red onion, slow-braised beef and lemon cream (15.00). The moderately spicy sauce originated in the Iberian Peninsula and it, and the lemon cream, sure lifted the two generously packed tacos.

We had begun by sharing a plate of their addictive Prawn Crackers, and we also shared a helping of the excellent skinny fries with the main courses. They have quite a list of non alcoholic drinks here, including the local Stonewell Zero cider. But I had been waiting to try the Guinness Zero on draught, and that certainly did the business (though I would think twice before trying it with spicy dishes in the future).

Angela's at Fountainstown

* The sun was, of course, still shining as we headed home. No sign of it now though as I write this on the following morning, just rain and more rain!