Whitehorses Restaurant

The pretty seaside village of Ardmore in County Waterford is a draw for families with children, walkers, sandcastle makers, swimmers and those who just want a breath of fresh sea air. Whatever you’re here for, Whitehorses Restaurant is the place to fuel up at lunchtime or relax over a delicious dinner.

Three sisters Geraldine, Christine and Angela Flavin, head up the team here. Ten years ago, they took over what used to be Quain’s general grocery store, coincidentally run by two sisters. While keeping the original character of this old building, the girls have completely revamped the space to make a cosy restaurant. The main dining room is split into two areas. To the right of the front door, a small annexe, once the house’s compact dining room and now known as the Quain Room, has one table for a small gathering. The old wooden serving counter takes pride of place in what was the original shop space and where once there were shelves packed with groceries, now the open plan main dining room houses an open fireplace and country cottage pine tables decorated with posies of fresh garden flowers, in a homely interior with local artwork on the walls - and a real Irish welcome on the mat.

Geraldine is the head cook, and a damn fine one at that. The summer season will find this place jumping with locals and visitors, all enjoying her lovely creations. In winter, the café is open at weekends when the majority of tourists have departed and the faithful regulars get the place mostly to themselves! Whatever time of year you come, you’ll always get a taste of the region. Geraldine is a great supporter of local produce and uses as much as possible on the menu here. Her meat comes from Lismore, and fish from Helvick, while seasonal Irish vegetables are supplied by The Village Greengrocer in Castlemartyr. The fresh herbs that adorn almost every dish here are picked daily from a local garden in Ardmore village.

At lunchtime, grab a warming bowl of homemade soup of the day, or the local Seafood Chowder, along side fresh Grilled Mussels with Garlic and Herb Crumbs, House Chicken Liver Pate and other tempters. Reflecting a location by the sea, main courses always feature the freshest fish. Try Golden Fried Plaice with homemade Tartare Sauce, or a Darne of Cod Bonne Femme, with its classic French sauce of white wine and mushrooms. Meat eaters can enjoy well-reared and matured Irish Steak with a garlic and herb or pepper sauce. And there’s always a vegetarian option and a special lunch dish of the day. If all you want is a sandwich, you can have one of those too, and there’s something on the menu for the kids as well.

Nighttime sees a switch to more sophisticated fare, but still cooked with simplicity and ease. Geralidine’s cookery skills really shine in a menu including fresh Crab Claws with White Wine and Garlic or Golden Fried Brie with Roast Pepper and Chilli Jam among others. Crispy Half Duckling with Caramelised Orange and Kumquat Sauce, Surf and Turf – and combo of Irish beef fillet and prawns – and Grilled Black Sole on the bone with Buerre Noisette are just some of the delightful offerings to follow. Sunday Lunch here means a packed house. No wonder. The great value three-course menu spans a huge range. Don’t miss our particular faves - Timbale of Fresh Crabmeat Marie Rose with Melba Toast followed with tender slices of Irish Roast Sirloin of Beef, with Pepper and Brandy Sauce, beautifully cooked pink in the centre, and decorated with vibrant sprigs of flowering garden herbs. All mains come with a selection of golden roast potatoes, and seasonal vegetables.

Perhaps the very best part of a meal here, whatever time of day you choose to dine, is the wonderful selection of House Desserts on display in the cabinet at the front of the restaurant. It’s lovely to have the palaver of getting up from your tableto browse the selection, including seasonal fresh fruit Meringue Roulade, Mississippi Mud Pie topped with dinky little marshmallows, old fashioned Charlotte Russe, Banoffi Pie, two sorts of Cheesecake, and Fresh Fruit Salad, all made in big sizes so you can choose a bit of whatever you fancy.

Wines here range from the very reasonably priced house white and red, to elegant Pouilly Fuisse, perfect for fish dishes, and aged reds from Oz and Spain and NZ for the meat. Half bottles include a Chianti, an Alsace Riesling, a Beaujolias and a Macon – something for all tastes!

Contact Details

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Main Street
Ardmore
Co Waterford
+353 (0) 24 94040
Email: whitehorses@eircom.net

 

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