A. Caviston

Seafood Deli | Seafood Café | Seafood Shop | A.Caviston | Greystones | Wicklow

It is immediately evident, on walking into A. Caviston on Greystone's main street on a wet, miserable winter's day, that this is no ordinary food store. Firstly, there is a real sense that proprietor's Amy Caviston and Shane Willis are deeply connected to the community's heart (indeed as we arrive, a local resident is presenting Shane with a cutting from the local newspaper and he is deeply engrossed in conversation about its subject matter).Secondly, there is a buzz about the shop and a sense of enquiry met with enthusiasm. Over at the fish counter, folk are asking advice on the cooking of a certain fish, someone else is questioning the best sauce to accompany it and yet another is commenting on the freshness of the produce. Shane and Amy are no ordinary operators. When they opened the shop in 2007, Shane still worked in the finance sector in the city and the transition to independent shop owner was one which he made with nothing less than a passionate commitment which characterises the shop's ethos to this day. Amy had worked with her father in the fish business from a very young age and had honed the art of choosing, buying and preparing seafood for many years so by the time she opened her own shop, she was a regular (and a seasoned expert) in the tough early rising world of Dublin's fish markets. To add to this extensive seafood knowledge, she completed a stage with the famous Ferguson family of Gubbeen smokehouse in Cork.

The shop itself is beautifully appointed. There is a deli counter out front, filled with an array of homemade delights. From fishcakes to poached Clare Island salmon, from Wicklow lamb pasties to seafood lasagne, from Ed Hick's sausage and Gubbeen salami casserole to red mullet enchilada, from tuna burgers to Provencal fish stew, the counter is a visual feast of freshly cooked delights with the emphasis firmly on fish and seafood but with a substantial selection of gourmet and artisan salamis and cured meats and a nod to tasty meat dishes such as chicken pie and beef lasagne made with produce from excellent local butcher, Farrellys. As well as the phenomenal deli counter, the shelves are filled with local, artisanal produce, fantastic teas and coffees, wonderful wines form Tindals and Nicholsons and a stunning fish counter with advice as readily available and instantly forthcoming as fresh, local fish! At the front of the shop is a fantastic temperature controlled cheese pantry with an amazing selection of Irish country cheeses and recipes on display each week with suggestions on use of the shop's fresh produce.

And what of the food? In summertime, there are seats out front and you can while away an afternoon with a glass of wine and a plate of nibbles. Alternatively, there is a wonderful outside courtyard at the back but on our visit; we tucked ourselves up in the cosy inside space, simply appointed with wooden tables and an evolving exhibition of local art on the walls. The menu echoes the deli counter, a celebration of simple dishes, beautifully executed with bold, clean flavours and a real skill in preparation. We begin with a warming bowl of their signature chowder, a creamy, dreamy bowl of hand smoked and white fish, organic salmon and an optional spoon of Terry Butterly's crab. The soup is perfectly balanced with delicate seasoning and served with a slice of Caviston's of Glasthule's legendary brown bread...delightful. Next, a serious open sandwich, half Ted Browne's prawn and half Annagassan crab, both atop more delicious bread, both fresh, sweet and plump and with just the right amount of creaminess, served with a dollop of bulgar wheat salad, pasta and fresh pesto salad and potato, apple and raisin salad, all a celebration of Nicky's in Kilcoole (formerly Miley's farm shop from Glenroe) wonderful produce and all bursting with flavour.   Afterwards, a slice of subtly spiced carrot cake with fantastic cream cheese frosting hits the perfect end note to a genuine 'foodie' experience. A fabulous breakfast menu is available from 9am (think stuffed French toast, eggs Benedict or smoked mackerel on toast!) and rumour has it that soon, folk will be invited to choose their own fish from the wet fish counter and have it cooked to order in the cafe with a garnish of their choice...a brilliant concept and one which demands a return visit from us!

More recently the seafood café has now moved from counter service to table service. Their specials change daily depending on what fresh fish come into the fish counter. There are generally 5 or 6 specials on and there are a number of items which will feature on the menu daily:

-    White fish of the day (generally a sustainable Cod alternative such as ling, blossom, red gurnard or coley)
-    Galway Bay Mussels
-    Crab Claws with Garlic Butter
-    Cajun Salmon Burger
-    Wicklow Beef Burger
-    1/2 dozen Carlingford Oysters and Natural
-    Charcuterie Board from our Deli counter
-    Cheese Board from our Cheese Room

There is also the option of picking your own fillet of fresh fish from the wet fish counter and having it cooked to order. On any given day there are generally 15-20 different seafood options on the menu, which is quite unique. Last year they also started doing a breakfast menu which again is fully cooked to order.

Amy and Shane are no ordinary operators. There is no reliance on the famous Caviston name here, just a proud continuance of a shared family pride. Their passion, commitment to their business and their love for the people and produce of the locale are all obvious in the very fabric of the shop. It oozes dedication, enthusiasm and soul and will be around for a long time to come.

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Check out the new seafood cafe breakfast menu here>>>

Check out the new seafood café lunch menu here>>>

Check out the new seafood café sample lunch specials menu here>>>

Check out the new seafood café wine list here>>>

We are delighted to announce that A.Caviston will be opening every Friday evening for dinner service from 17th February 2012. Bookings are being taken on 2877637, via Twitter @A_Caviston or via their Facebook page.

A. Caviston also now have a beer licence & will be serving craft Irish bottle beers.

To Have a look at the menus please CLICK HERE

Contact Details

To Contact a Member Directly, please click on the email or website below

No1 Westview
Church Road
Greystones
Wicklow
+353 1 287 7637
Email: info@acaviston.ie
Web: www.acaviston.ie/

 

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