A garden walk is a nice postscript to a good lunch, says Ciara McQuillan …
BALLYMALOE HOUSE AND GARDENS, CO CORKÂ
THE ROOM Ballymaloe has seven separate dining areas, each one as charming as the next. High ceilings, wood panelling and light streaming in through Georgian windows make spaces feel bright yet cosy at the same time.
ON THE PLATE At Sunday lunch, a starter of wild garlic risotto with Coolea cheese is a dazzlingly verdant springtime dish and a main course of Ballycotton hake with chettinad spice, pak choi and tomato and lime sauce is equally delicious. The world-famous dessert trolley does not disappoint.
A GARDEN VISIT Pick up a map of the Ballymaloe estate from reception and enjoy a post-prandial woodland walk or visit to the impressive gardens and farm. A snoop around the café and shop is the perfect way to end an idyllic afternoon at Ballymaloe. Ballymaloe House, Shanagarry, Co Cork, 021 465 2531; www.ballymaloe.ie.
GARNISH RESTAURANT AT ECCLES HOTEL, CO CORK
THE ROOM A distinctly olde worlde dining room with high ceilings, and vast windows with views over Glengarriff Harbour. Agatha Christie famously visited Eccles Hotel in 1959, signing the visitors’ book.
ON THE PLATE Chef Eddie Atwell’s dish of local butter-poached hake with mussels, confit potatoes, and burnt orange and herb cream embodies comfort food by the sea. Eddie is well known as an expert forager so you can expect interesting wild ingredients.
A GARDEN VISIT Just a few minutes away by ferry is magical Garinish Island with its spectacular Italianate gardens, Greek temple and Martello tower. Eccles Hotel, Glengarriff, Co Cork, 027 63003; www.eccleshotel.com; www.garinishisland.ie.
THE GREEN BARN AT BURTOWN HOUSE, CO KILDARE
THE ROOM The Green Barn features vaulted ceilings, a profusion of green plants and rustic decor. Vast windows afford views of the gardens and bathe the room in light.
ON THE PLATE After a Ballykeefe gin and tonic garnished with freshly cut herbs from the walled garden (source of many of the ingredients) rustic bread with sundried tomato pesto and green garden pesto is a prelude to mushroom risotto with garden herbs, and greens on the side. For dessert, it has to be rhubarb crumble.
A GARDEN VISIT As well as the walled garden, the Burtown estate includes an old orchard, a stableyard garden and a large woodland garden. There is also a pantry shop selling homemade produce, pantry items and a selection of wines, and small art gallery with a range of botanical prints, paintings and sculpture. Staying over? The 18th-century stableyard studio apartment sleeps two; the stableyard house sleeps eight. Burtown House and Gardens, Athy, Co Kildare, 059 862 3865; www.burtownhouse.ie.
BLANK, BELFAST
THE ROOM In a stunning Victorian townhouse on Belfast’s Malone Road, the dining room at Blank features velvet booths, sleek wooden flooring, original coving and mid-century lighting.
ON THE PLATE Blank is mentioned in the latest Michelin guide, no small feat considering it only opened its doors in late 2021. As the restaurant name suggests, the menu is blank apart from a list of produce that changes regularly depending on seasonality and availability. There are three tasting experiences on offer: nine-courses, five-courses and a pre-theatre option; the lunch sitting offers offer both nine and five-course options.
A GARDEN VISIT Work up an appetite by visiting Belfast’s Botanic Gardens, established in 1828 by the Belfast Botanic and Horticultural Society. Lose yourself amid tropical plants, giant bird feeders, a rose garden, alpine garden, mature trees, flower beds and sculptures. Make a night of it and stay at the wonderful Harrison Chambers of Distinction next door to Blank. Blank, 43 Malone Road, Belfast, 0044 28 9040 6399; www.blankbelfast.com.
