Showing posts with label Youghal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Youghal. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Ardmore. A Gem on the Waterford Coast.

Ardmore. A Gem on the Waterford Coast.
Breakfast at Cliff House
Ardmore is a gem on the Waterford coast. Fortunately, one the generous Deise folks don't mind sharing. Generations of people from neighbouring counties have made Ardmore their summer destination for its beaches, history, walks and the nearby mountains.


We headed there last Friday, the fabulous Cliff House Hotel above the village our final destination. But, as usual, we had a few stops and detours. First halt was in Youghal. It is not looking its best at the moment and hopefully the paint and brushes will be out and used before the season starts.
Ardmore

But there is no shortage of eating places here, well known like Aherne’s or newer and more casual such as Clancy’s. We were looking for a light lunch and Sage (not related to the restaurant of the same name in Midleton) had been recommended. It was bright and busy and I enjoyed my quiche and salad there. Details here.

Plan then was head to Helvic and work our way back through the Rinn gaeltacht. The fishing boats gathered in the harbour were a bit like some of the shops in Youghal, looking the worse for wear, but then the boats and the seaside towns (there are still sandbags in Youghal) have been through some horrendous weather in recent months and we are all hoping for better to come

Youghal

It was sunny and windy when we arrived in Helvick and now the rain made its appearance. So we wasted little time as we drove through Sean Phobal and so on, past the familiar beach at Ballyquin and on to Ardmore itself and up to the Cliff where a warm welcome awaited,a brolly held open even as we stepped from the car (a hint of the excellent service to come).


Soon we were installed in our room with a view and quickly made our way to the fabulous swimming pool, equipped with sauna and steam room and which also enjoys a great view over the bay.


Helvick

When the rain died down, we walked down to the town (to work up an appetite!) and made a loop back that took us past the famous round tower built in the 12th century. St Declan was here in the 5th century and his name is associated with some of the walks. Many (including a loop around the cliffs) start by the hotel and the staff there will give you all the information you need and indeed will provide a guide if necessary.


Your excursions from Ardmore needn't be confined to the coast. You may head for the nearby mountains. Mahon Falls is one of the attractions up there. If you want to do some shopping, then Cork and Waterford are each about an hour away while the lively towns of Lismore (for its castle and heritage centre) and Dungarvan are much closer.
Lismore

The Cliff House has some fantastic facilities though the outdoor dining areas were out of bounds last weekend! Do take time to explore. You will find quite a few books in your room but there are many more in the spacious and comfortable library which has one of the best views because of its height. The hotel is also unusual in that when you enter from the parking area, you are already on the fifth floor!


We enjoyed a memorable dinner there that Friday (details here). It was dark at that stage so we weren't able to take in the view but we did get it in the morning at breakfast, a very enjoyable breakfast I might add. In between, there was a call to the bar. An extensive menu of drinks here, as you'd expect, and delighted to see a terrific selection of Irish craft beers (and cider) on the list.
View from Cliff House room

Saturday was quite a decent day and we headed east to Portlaw (Waterford) and Turkstown (Kilkenny) to visit relations. Indeed, we visited Kilkenny, Waterford and then Tipperary in quick succession as we made our way home via Clonmel, Cahir and the M8. Only problem: what would we eat for dinner? The answer was in the freezer, the second portion of a curry made with Green Saffron’s Tikka cook-in sauce. Not quite Michelin! But just perfect.  

Looking towards Ardmore from Cliff House library






Thursday, November 14, 2013

Capri Bay by Youghal Bay


Capri Bay La Trattoria
 Stuffed onion and stuffed apple are not a regular part of any local menu that I know of. Yet I came across the two at a lovely lunch in Youghal's Capri Bay last Sunday as the rain bucketed down on the street outside. Capri is on the main street, on the right as you approach the Clock Tower from the city direction and, believe it or not, there is another Italian place directly across from it.

Had a quick read of the big specials board as we entered. Soon we were at the table and studying the multi page menu, a little bruschetta already delivered to nibble on as we made up our minds. Not easy with such a choice.


Calamari
I had noticed the Cannelloni with Meat and Mushrooms on the Specials and picked that as my Secondo Piatto. But was told that the Amarone Risotto served with smoked pork, my choice of Primo Piatto, would take longer to cook so I started with the Cannelloni. It was flawless, really overflowing with flavour.

CL also enjoyed her first dish, the Fried Calamari served in a lemon and lime mayo,
that came from the Antipasti list. This was vibrant, full of flavour and a great way to start the meal.
Cannelloni
She was also thrilled too with her main course: Pollo Riesling, served in a grape and Riesling wine sauce, with a stuffed apple prominent on the plate. The chicken itself was juicy and perfectly cooked and the sauce was a great complement. 
Pollo
Must say that the three side dishes delivered with the main plates were really eye-catching and proved quite a highlight in themselves. Owner Chef Gerald Esposito has a stone oven for his huge range of pizzas and one of the dishes had a couple of slices of the gorgeous bread, soaked in olive oil. Another dish contained the vegetables, haricot vert and red cabbage (both beautifully cooked), and the third had some flavoursome rustic potatoes from the oven along with that stuffed onion, its hinged “cap” revealing a cache of spinach when lifted.  

It was quite a meal all told and no room for dessert. But we did have a cup of coffee each and enjoyed a complimentary mini meringue before saying ciao and thanks for a lovely meal and service.

Capri Bay details

55 South Main Street
Youghal
Co. Cork
Opening hours
Mon - Thu: 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Fri - Sat: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Sun: 12:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Phone
02490262 or 0872251298
Email
capribay@hotmail.com
Website


Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Youghal welcome for renovated Walter Raleigh

Youghal welcome for renovated Walter Raleigh
Fish Cake & Roulade
“Great to have it back. It’s good for the town!”, was the general reaction to the reopening of the renovated Walter Raleigh Hotel earlier this year. The hotel was a regular stop for passersby in the good old days and the new owners are hoping that their version will “appeal equally to locals and visitors alike”.

The hotel may not yet be going at full steam as renovations are still going on but the taste of things to come was on view in the Bar Restaurant when I called in last week. And, based on local fish and beef, it is a very encouraging taste indeed.

Started off with a Fish Cake, served with a Salmon and Prawn Roulade, a mixed baby leave salad, cucumber and organic yoghurt. Hadn’t been expecting much more than the fish cake - the roulade was a bonus - and it was real pleasure to see it delivered to the table and even more of a pleasure to polish it off.

The Five Spice Calamari (Vodka and Tonic battered calamari with chilli, garlic and red onion and a house made lemon and basil mayo) was the other starter on the table. Maybe not as spectacular as the other one but again well cooked and well presented.

This was a very encouraging start and the high standard continued with the main dishes. My pick was 21 days aged 10 ounce rib-eye, served with a stack of crispy onion rings, Portobello mushroom, hand cut chips and a pepper sauce. This, supplied by Twomey Butchers in the town, was superb, cooked as requested and so well presented. The pepper sauce came in its own jug (I like sauces served like that as you can  use as much or as little as you like) and a bowl of their obviously hand cut chips.

Aside from the regular dishes, they also have a Special list each day. The Fish Cake came from that as did the other main dish that we enjoyed: the superb Pan Fried Hake served with a delicious seafood and sweet pea risotto. And the surprise here was a little bowl of fresh mussels on the side.
Silken teabag!

After those two courses there was little room for dessert so I settled for tea. Amazing how the choice of teas and coffees has improved in recent years and the Walter Raleigh won’t let you down in that regard. I choose a green tea, the Yunnan by Java Republic with its “unique silken teabag” that I hadn’t seen before. Nice cuppa!

The renovated bar is comfortable and looks very well and the service was friendly and efficient. Worth a call!