FENNS QUAY: MICHELIN RECOMMENDED

FENNS QUAY

Slaney Valley Lamb

The folks at Fenns Quay, including Head Chef Kate Lawlor, were delighted last week to receive their confirmation letter  that they were again on the Michelin recommended list. It is a well deserved recommendation as we discovered, not for the first time, last Friday night.

We had a little celebrating to do ourselves and having enjoyed a similar occasion there last year had no qualms about going there again. Indeed, we were looking forward to it after a miserable wet day.

Started off with a couple of glasses of their lively Prosecco and nibbled on their excellent breads while waiting for our main coursers. The main menu here is enlivened by daily specials and these are always worth considering.

I picked from the day’s list and was very happy indeed that I did. The dish was: Chargrilled Tuna with Rustic Potatoes, roast flat cup mushrooms and cannellini bean compote (24.95). Sometimes Tuna can be a bit on the dry side but not here. It was perfectly cooked and the mushroom and compote, not forgetting the moderately spiced potatoes, gave it a perfect balance.

My wife picked her main dish from the regular list and it was: Chargrilled “Slaney Valley” Lamb chump with spiced roast potatoes and a cassoulet of vegetables and a mint pesto (22.50). The tender pieces of lamb were again cooked to perfection, just as ordered, and again the veg and pesto were spot on to give a very tempting and tasty ensemble.

Dessert then. Nothing overly exciting in the Warm Apple sponge with Vanilla Crème Anglaise. But it still needs to be done well and this was. Very satisfying indeed.

It was a busy night in the city centre venue, full up from about eight on, but service was friendly and relaxed and efficient as we’ve come to expect! Our dishes came off  the a la carte menu but there is also a very good value Supper Menu available. And don't forget those specials at this excellent restaurant which opens early in the morning and doesn't close until late.

Drinks:

Domaine d’Angayrac Costieres de Nimes 2008 (€5.50 glass). Dark fruit with liquorice and spice, great value house wine.

Oremus Tokaji Aszu 5 puttonyos 2000 (7.95)