Tuesday, June 07, 2005

The Bridge Bar and Bistro

Our first night in Ireland we stayed in a small town called Kilarney. The bed and breakfast owner suggested that we dine at one of her two favorite restuarnts; Davit's or The Bridge. During our brief stroll around town, we went into shock after viewing the menu prices. We finally decided upon The Bridge.

Upon entering, it is a very simple restaurant with very little visible seating. We chose to sit in one of the booth/ottoman setups. Although it was slightly dark inside, the restarant did not seem creepy, but rather homey. They gave us the early bird menu to choose from even though it was close to 9PM when we entered (I suppose anything before midnight is early?? I don't know). For 17.50 euros we could choose from three categories on the menu: starter, entree and dessert.
Starters
Seafood Chowder
Warm salad of Fried Potato Smoked Bacon and Cashel blue cheese
Breaded Brie with Tomato Relish

Main Courses
Supplement of 3.50 for Sirloin Steak
10 oz Sirloin with Onion Rings fried Mushrooms Potatoes and vegetables
Choice of Garlic Butter, Pepper Sauce

Whole "Pot Roast" Poussin
Miniature Chicken Roast with Shallots, Smoked Bacon, Baby Potatoes, Carrots and Peas
Irish Lamb Stew
Beer Battered Cod
Baked Lasagne with Chips and Salad
Braised Shank of Lamb
on a bed of Mash Potato with a red wine jus

Desserts
Bread and Butter pudding
Apple Crumble (They were out :o( )
Baked Cheesecake
Selection of Ice Creams

Most everyone went for the braised lamb. It was so delicious! The flavor infused meat just fell right off of the bone. I also want to say that the potato salad might have been in the top five of salads that I've eaten in my lifetime. Wayne ordered the fried brie which was a calorie-fest, but worth it! I'm thinking of trying it at home sometime. The tomato relish nicely offset the saltiness of the brie. By the time we got around to dessert, we were unable to put much of a dent into it because we were stuffed. Here are the dishes that I actually ordered for myself.

Warm salad of fried potato, smoked bacon and Cashel blue cheese

Braised shank of lamb on a bed of mashed potato with a red wine jus

Bread and butter pudding


Food:

Ambience:

Overall: