Kenmare
V93 HR27
Co. Kerry
Sheen Falls Lodge has been the darling of the millennials for a number of years now, and the recently addition of The Stables, a stand alone Brasserie and Bar is a great addition being, a big bright contemporary space serving well priced high end casual food in a stylish setting with appropriate service – friendly but professional.
Starters and Salads, on my visit, included the ubiquitous seafood chowder of potatoes, leeks & smoked haddock; chicken & ham hock terrine, piccalilli and sourdough; and wild mushroom arancini.
Rena kicked off with an excellent Waldorf salad lavishly imbued with endive, celery, grapes, apple and Cashel Blue cheese vinaigrette. I had cod beignets, well presented and contrasted, as a circle of five crisply golden balls, each sitting in a pool of the mayo, interspersed with wedges of cool pickled cucumber topped with a round of radish and a spring of greenery.
Mains had a good selection to include all pockets and desires from posh fish and chips to sole meuniere for the fishophiles and, on the carnivore side, from a beef burger with smoked Gubbeen to sirloin, fillet, and rib-eye steaks, Tournedos Rossini with shaved black truffle and Madeira jus, Rosscarbery pork tomahawk, and a rump of lamb.
Rena had a delicious bowl of hand rolled tagliatelle with peas, mushrooms, truffle oil and aged Parmesan, which was very good. I had a second starter of melt in the mouth Thornhill confit duck leg set on an excellent fennel and coco bean cassoulet.
Desserts too offered a superb choice which included a Valrhona chocolate fondant, a classic tiramisu, vanilla crème brulee with a sable Breton, and raspberry sorbet, as well as affogato, the popular Italian coffee with a dollop of ice-cream.
As you may gather from its moniker, it’s quite separate from the main hotel building, where you’ll find a number of other dining options, including their fabulous award-winning Falls Restaurant, an elegant uplifting space offering eclectic menus showcasing the best of Kerry’s bounty. For a relaxed soup and sambo, The Sheen Lounge is the perfect sun-filled spot, where they also serve Afternoon Tea from 2pm-5pm daily. Meanwhile, The Sheen Bar offers a fantastic selection of Irish whiskey, gin, craft beers, wine and cocktails, served in stylish and friendly space.
With so many great options to choose from you just can’t go wrong at Sheen Falls Lodge.