Lucinda O'Sullivan's Ireland

About The Restaurant

On a recent visit to Co. Carlow, friend Rena and I stopped for a meal at the Woodford Dolmen Hotel’s Plum Tree Bistro. I’ve eaten at, what was the Dolmen, many times over the years, when visiting a relative in Carlow, and the food at this hotel, set on the banks of the Barrow, has always been excellent with friendly welcoming service. Now it’s better than ever.

The Plum Tree is warm and inviting, with classic touches like exposed brick walls and wooden overhead beams meeting bright, colourful furnishings; but do stop into the stylish Dolmen Bar for pre-dinner drink first. They have some great craft beers and cocktails, not to mention a gin menu with bottles from Carlow, England, Germany, Scotland and Spain.

Bagging a table in a comfy booth by the windows, we began to peruse the menus. They have a well-priced and well thought out set menu, but we stuck to the a la carte, which, on our visit, included starters like potted crab with lemongrass, coriander and creme fraiche and toasted sourdough; tiger prawns sautéed with ginger red chillies garlic butter and lemon sauce; as well as a Caesar salad available also as a main. Braised pork belly for me was perfectly crisped while still retaining a tender succulent bite, served with pressed apple jelly, glazed apple and some tasty crispy pork crackling. Rena went for a dish of breaded brie, deep-fried with a lovely golden crumb and served with homemade cranberry sauce and a side of rocket.

The mains had lots to choose from, and the dedicated carnivores amongst you will certainly be pleased. An organic 6oz Coolanowle Farm beef burger was topped with streaky bacon, Monterey Jack cheese and Ballymaloe relish and served in a toasted brioche bun with a side of home style chips; while their Plum Tree mixed grill had a chargrilled 4oz sirloin steak, Carlow lamb cutlet, Coolanowle organic pudding, artisan sausage, fried egg, grilled tomato, beer battered onion rings and chips. At the top of the meaty mountain was a grilled 8oz prime Hereford sirloin steak, chargrilled to your liking and served with cherry tomatoes, sautéed onions, mushrooms and peppercorn sauce, also having a side of home-style chips. Also on the menu were grilled tomahawk Carlow lambs cutlets; O’Hara’s beer-battered fish n’ chips; along with a chicken chana masala curry dish. Rena stayed meat free with a delicious wild mushroom tagliatelle dish with garlic, tossed in a white wine cream sauce, topped with grated Parmesan and served with some crispy toasted garlic ciabatta. Meanwhile, I was delighted with my steamed lemon sole fillet filled with a gorgeous prawn mousseline with buttered samphire and caper olive oil.

Their dessert menu changes daily, but while we were there, a summer berry pavlova was on offer with whipped cream; not to mention the ever decadent and almost mandatory warm chocolate brownie, which Rena revelled in with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream. I went for a heavenly salted caramel mousse topped with fresh cream to round out a great meal. Delighted with our meal, but conscious of the setting sun, we hit the road.

Time and time again, the Woodford Dolmen delivers on great food, service and atmosphere, so, if you’ve never been, book a table at the Plum Tree Bistro and see for yourself. I’m looking forward to trying their popular carvery lunch, served seven days, on my next visit.

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