Dinner Supreme at Blarney's Square Table

Dinner Supreme at Blarney's Square Table

Smoked salmon

 Just a couple of weeks back, I blogged about a fabulous lunch at The Square Table, the new restaurant in Blarney. Said I couldn't wait to go back for dinner. Made It last Friday evening and it was absolutely superb.

The menu may not be extensive - it is not a big restaurant - but the quality is outstanding. Martina Cronin is the chef here and she has worked - and obviously learned - in some high class places, such as Chapter One and The Residence on Stephen's Green.

Foie Gras

That lovely Mushroom and Wild Garlic Soup was again on the menu but this time I went for the Tom Durcan Carpaccio of Spiced Beef served with cured Foie Gras, apple puree and hazelnuts. This was incredible. The Foie Gras was delicious, the whole enhanced no end by a lovely walnut bread on the side.

Our other starter was also top notch. This was the eye catching Old Mill House Smoked Salmon and it was served with avocado puree, ruby grapefruit and Goatsbridge Trout Caviar, another delicious delight.

Hake

The bar was set high and it stayed well up there as the mains came on. I was sorely tempted by both the Roast Monkfish, with cocoa bean puree, Gubbeen chorizo, coriander and confit tomato and by the  Michael Twomey Aged Angus 11 oz rib eye steak served with chips, onions rings and Bearnaise.

In the end though, I picked the East Ferry Free Range chicken, served with celeriac, ham and Coolea Aged Cheddar. The celeriac, ham and cheese was served as a gratin in a separate bowl and was out of the world. What fantastic flavours to match a gorgeous chicken and gravy! A five star dish for sure. CL picked another cracker: Pan-fried Hake with Ballyhoura Mushrooms, wild garlic and orzo.

Monkfish

They have a very tempting short list of desserts as well and we shared Martina’s terrific version of Tarte Tatin, served with butterscotch and that luscious Boulabán Farm ice-cream from County Tipperary.

The Square Table is open all day from 9.30am but currently serves dinner on just three nights, Thursday to Saturday. Sunday lunch is also available and opening times may be extended as sisters Martina and Tricia (front of house) find their feet. Phone number is 4382825 (021).

Tarte Tatin

Good Food, and a Matching View, at Murph’s

Good Food, and a Matching View, at Murph’s

Enjoyed a lovely lunch and a matching view at Murph’s, the restaurant cum bar at East Ferry, about halfway on the estuary road signposted from the Midleton-Whitegate Road. I prefer to drive to Saleen, turn right through the village and then take the left at the fork. This takes you down to the water, to Saleen Creek in particular, and the restaurant is straight ahead. If you want to work up an appetite you can combine a walk and drive.

Staff are very friendly and efficient here and we got a warm welcome for our lunchtime call. Soon, we were at our table, studying the menu and a packed Specials Board. They don’t stock any local craft beers but I enjoyed my glass of Ackerman Merlot from France.

Jason's Chicken

 From the board, I picked Jason’s Chicken Parmagiana with a Provençal sauce, mozzarella cheese, sautéed potatoes and salad (14.95). Quite a plateful really but very well cooked indeed; the salad was well dressed and the sauce was terrific. Good food, good value.

CL’s choice was Pan Fried Hake with scallops on mashed potato with seasonal vegetables and cherry tomatoes (17.95). Again, this was well cooked and very very tasty indeed, though the cream based sauce (not particularly wanted) wasn't mentioned in the description.

There is a very comfortable eating area around the bar but these warm days you may also eat outside, across the road or on an adjacent patio with views out over the east passage of the harbour, across to the Great Island and the East Ferry Marina. More on the walk here.

Hake & Scallops