A cornerstone of Claregalway for some 50 years, the Arches Hotel, has reinvented its offerings to diners with a shiny new menu, full of delicious dinner options that satisfy all appetites.
Owned by the Dunleavy family, a tribe that has been involved in the hospitality business for over a century, the Arches Hotel began life as a small, one-room public house, a far cry from the hotel which features a welcoming restaurant, bar and 21 bedrooms. The hotel itself is easily accessible with ample parking, and the location helps to make the answer to the endless question of 'do I have to cook dinner tonight' easy, as it is on the main commute towards Tuam and the surrounding areas.
The restaurant's interior is comfortable and pleasing to the eye, you will not get an uncomfortable seat in The Arches Hotel, with the overall vibe being relaxed, laid back and friendly. One of the biggest merits a hospitality venue can have is recognising its appeal and the clientele. Restaurants and bars can, in some instances, be guilty of falling into a trap of feeling stagnant, like they need to keep evolving to be attractive, resulting in disillusioned regulars and fleeting new guests who are drawn in by the novelty. The Arches Hotel knows who it is, it knows its customers and it knows how to move with the crowd instead of leaving them behind and the new menu is evidence of this.
Featuring a wide menu with a multitude of options for all dietary requirements, each dish is well thought out, bringing new elements to established favourites, like the 'Baked Hake Fillet', which was served on a bed of basil and parmesan potato purée topped with a lemon and chilli salsa, bringing a new dimension to an already delicious meal. The lemon and chilli salsa add a refreshing zing to counterbalance the rich, cheesy potatoes resulting in a combination that can be easily polished off without feeling like you have gorged past the point of comfort.
The starters feature common options like homemade soup and breaded mushrooms, but also have a few 'racier' options that, as previously described, entice but do not confuse guests. The 'Tempura Prawns' were delicious, with a well seasoned batter encapsulating the fresh and juicy prawns that pop on first bite, a sure sign of a correctly cooked prawn. The 'Marinated Chicken Wings' were soft and tender, easy to pull off the bone and the BBQ dressing was balanced well, not overly sweet or sticky.
Another distinct area that The Arches Hotel delivers strongly in, is the 'butchers selection' which has three options available -- T-Bone steak, 6oz fillet and a sirloin steak sandwich. Grown on the Dunleavy family farm, cattle are processed one at a time to ensure that each steak is as fresh as possible while also reducing food waste by keeping the meat in stock to an 'as needed' quantity. This also creates an kind of 'premium' content mentality, as availability is limited, but if good steak is a favourite of yours, The Arches Hotel is a must visit. Cooked perfectly to my specifications, medium-rare, my choice -- the T-Bone steak -- arrived looking gargantuan and mouth watering. A substantial cut, the meat itself was juicy, soft and aged perfectly. Accompanied by either the mashed potato and vegetables, or chips and a salad, the sauce choices are Whiskey and cracked pepper or garlic butter.
I struggled to have room for dessert, a rare problem for me to have. Nevertheless I persevered choosing the 'Caramel Cookie Crunch' which was recommended by two different servers, Radi and Izabela, as being delectable and worth suffering for. They were right. Hot and soft, the square type cake was like if a millionaires shortcake had been blended with a fresh chocolate cookie. Not overly rich and worth feeling like a beach ball on legs for the evening.
Overall, my visit to The Arches Hotel was very enjoyable and made even better by excellent service by Radi, Izabela and Kelly, all of whom checked in regularly but did so in an non-intrusive way and were very friendly and informed regarding the menu, being able to answer queries fluently and gave insight when asked for. The superior service, good food and comfortable atmosphere in The Arches Hotel were worth visiting for based on individual merits, let alone as a whole and I would happily return to feast again.
Located in Claregalway village, call into The Arches Hotel and see for yourself. To enquire about food, bookings or any other general queries you can get in touch with The Arches by calling 091 739 000.
