Long life to the pizza maestros of Cent’Anni! Schull Harbour Hotel an ideal base for West Cork trip

Long life to the pizza maestros of Cent’Anni

Schull Harbour Hotel an ideal base for West Cork trip.

Pizza Pachino

Chris and Emma opened their pizzeria Cent’Anni in the West Cork village of Durrus less than three years ago and they’ve been packing them since. 

Lasagne

Where did Chris and Emma get the name? The phrase is a contraction of the Italian words cento (hundred) and anni (years). When toasting, Italians often raise their glasses and say "Cent'anni" to wish friends and family health, prosperity, and a long life.

The Durrus

Twenty pizza options here and of course, there is one called Durrus: Tomato Base, Mozzarella, Parmesan, Durrus Cheese, Fresh Rocket, Parma Ham, Parmesan Shavings & Real Olive Company aged Balsamic vinegar.

I’ve often enjoyed Cashel Blue cheese and pears together but never in a pizza. That changed at Cent’Anni when I ordered the Pachino (Tomato Base, Mozzarella, Cashel Blue Cheese, Pears, Walnuts, Mushrooms & Honey). Delicious and delightful.

Our pick of the non-pizza choices was the Lasagne, served with salad, coleslaw and garlic bread. It was another hugely satisfying plateful, so thumbs up across the table as we came to the end of the food and our refreshing non alcoholic drink, the Cent’Anni Passionfruit and Lemon Sparkling Mocktail.

Perfetto

But not finished yet! Still room for dessert and we choose the Kahlua Tiramisu. Perfetto, as they say in Italy.

Cent’Anni til we meet again in Durrus

Schull Harbour Hotel

I know I’m repeating myself here but, for the second year running, the Schull Harbour Hotel, superbly located right in the middle of the village, proved to be an ideal base for the recent trip to West Cork to visit some of the region’s "classic" highlights. Over two glorious days, we spent a very enjoyable time with visits to Bantry House (43 minutes), the gloriously sunny Mizen Head (34 minutes) and pizza at atmospheric Cent’Anni (40 minutes).

Evening drink al fresco

Overall, the spotless hotel was fine, the rooms (no armchairs though), dining areas and so on.  They also lack a lounge area but that may be coming! In the evening, we were able to relax on the shaded roadside benches and enjoy a glass or two of the Blacks Kinsale KPA. In the mornings, we enjoyed a stretch along the harbourside walk (pick it up at the pier).

The list of hot dishes for breakfast was fairly impressive, and the morning service in the plush Ariana Restaurant was good. Hot breakfast tip: go for the French Toast with local honey butter, seasonal fruit compote, fresh fruit, and cinnamon sugar. You order the hot dishes at your table other than the satisfactory Full Irish which is presented in buffet style, along with the continental breakfast choices.

They have no parking other than the public one metres across the road. We just about managed to get a spot each evening, but I wouldn't like to be trying for one at the weekends.

Also on this trip:

Looking for a mid day snack in West Cork. A shortlist including newcomer Harnen.

Schull Harbour Hotel (from the harbourside walk).