Lucinda O'Sullivan's Ireland

About The Restaurant

Walking into Hooked I was dazzled by all the funky decorative features of this new Sligo establishment: the wooden boat on the ceiling (which made me think of Yeats rowing out to the Lake Isle of Innisfree), the punning mural along one wall, and my favourite, the Father Jack snug. At the far end of the restaurant, the tables have a lovely view out onto the gurgling Garavogue River running through the heart of the town.

The owner, Anthony Gray, is the restaurateur who has brought us Eala Bhan and Tra Bhan, which have put Sligo firmly on the foody Wild Atlantic Way map. Not only that, but Anthony is passionate about using and promoting local produce and proudly lists all his suppliers on his menus, the majority of which are Sligo based.

Hooked does breakfast from Thurs to Sun, and Brunch and Dinner all week. Go for Thick Fluffy Crepes or The Breakfast of Champions (egg white muffin with spinach, feta and cherry tomatoes) as an alternative to the typical Full Irish you might have at home. The brunch menu is extensive and is both a tribute to the carnivores among us and an homage to Anthony’s father, Joe, who was an award winning butcher. Part of the main counter in the establishment is made of Joe’s old butcher’s block, putting paid to any notion that the name ‘Hooked’ might suggest a seafood centric cuisine! There are options such as pork belly, stewed sausage, and white pudding and sausage sandwich.

The dinner menu has lots to offer with starters like southern fried pork cheeks cooked in Orchard Thieves cider; confit of duck potato rosti with a 63° Ballisodare free range poached egg; as well as a ‘retro’ prawn cocktail.

Mains featured plenty of satisfying meaty dishes, such as The Joe Mc Burger in a brioche bun with smoked cheddar, a white hag onion ring, bacon jam and truffle mayo; chicken Kiev filled with chorizo and a leek & lentil ragu; not to mention an 8oz Rib Eye Steak.

Having said that, vegetarians haven’t been neglected – with offerings such as Goats Cheese Salad, Super Veggie Salad or Eggs Benedict at brunch and Caramelised Red Onion Tart Tatin at dinner. A number of dishes can be adapted for gluten free diets too. They also have a special kids’ menu that is very reasonable. Personally, I love the Beer Battered Newspaper Crispy Fish and Chips, available on both brunch and dinner menus. If you have room for dessert don’t miss the mouth-watering Knickerbocker glory or the utterly decadent orange and walnut brownie served with Mammy Johnston’s honeycomb ice-cream.

The place has a great buzz and provides a casual dining experience with cool design and also a good selection of wine with many available by the glass. Why not pop in on your next trip to Yeats Country and the North West! 

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