By Róisín Kilroy
Nestled away in rolling hills and a perfectly groomed golf course, is Gorse Eatery based in the top floor of Barna Golf Club.
You don't need to be a member of the golf club to visit Gorse Eatery's fully licensed bar and spacious restaurant, it's open to the general public. Boasting views you could charge money for the restaurant overlooks the hills and mountains of Connemara on one side, with a view of the water nearby and bay in the distance. On a clear day you can see the Burren, it's effortlessly romantic, light and spacious.
The menu offered at Gorse Eatery is a list of classic favourites, but with their own unique twist. The 'Seafood Broth' has the same base as a chowder, but without the cream, so visitors who are dairy free or lactose intolerant can enjoy it without consequence. Garnished with samphire, the broth is rich and decadent and comes in a substantial serving.
The 'Hash brown Sliders' are a Galway twist on German potato pancakes, which are often served with an array of accompaniments. While hash browns serve as the backbone of even the most humble breakfast roll, its true potential can be seen in the bacon, tomato, guacamole slider topped with deep fried leeks, or the smoked salmon slider decorated with tartar sauce and diced red onion, or in the decadent and crisp goats cheese and caramelised onion slider with a balsamic glaze.
Always a classic dish, the beef burger at Gorse Eatery comes in a substantial portion, with delicious crispy chips uniquely shaped like canoes and perfect for scooping sauces. In a time where appreciation for good burgers and chips is at an all time high, the fare offered at Gorse Eatery doesn't disappoint. Accompanied by a very crisp and fresh side salad sourced by Donnacha at Celtic Salads in Clare, the journey from farm to plate is minimal, allowing for supreme freshness.
Among the many fine qualities Gorse Eatery can boast, being dog friendly is one of them, with two rescue french bulldogs named Bosco and Hetti giving all visitors to the restaurant a sniff upon entry, before picking a spot of sun to lie in and there are many for them to choose from, as there are 70 windows on the 180 degree view from the building, allowing guests to follow the course of the sun throughout the day while enjoying dinner.
The layout of Gorse Eatery can be singularly described as spacious, there's enough room to swing two french bulldogs, and is the antidote to claustrophobic table layout sometimes experienced in restaurants. With space being such an added advantage, it's a prime place to enjoy functions and group events and outings, with another large lounge which could host a DJ/band, allowing for a seamless transition from dining room to dance floor a without worry.
With a fully licensed and stocked bar offering an array of gin, whiskey, wine and beer, a whiskey tasting tray or sample tray can be arranged.
Gorse Eatery is open on Friday, Saturday and Sundays weekly, both bookings and walk ins are welcome. The restaurant offers a wide variety of delicious options, served in generous portions along with a view to die for, so next time you're in the Barna area, call in and experience it all for yourself.
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