A gourmet gem nestled in the heart of the luxurious five star Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate, my visit to Palmers Bar & Kitchen proved that the stunning location was a delicious feast for both the eyes and the stomach.
Described as a 'contemporary bar and lounge' located inside the plush hotel, Palmers Bar & Kitchen was named in homage to the Palmers, an influential milling family who bought Glenlo Abbey in 1897 and called it home for nearly a century.
While the mental image of the word 'home' for many of us is unlikely to be a sprawling 183 acre estate with its own golf course, Palmers Bar & Kitchen proves that it is possible to create an intimate, cosy atmosphere while still maintaining a prestigious air that matches its environs.
Decor
Tastefully decorated with comfortable and understated soft furnishings, and light wooden booths that give the illusion of privacy, the overall effect results in a laid-back, warm atmosphere which has draws a diverse clientele; including hotel guests, local families, golfers who have worked up an appetite, and diners visiting from further afield. Featuring a number of large flat screen televisions in the bar area, and weekly live music, Palmers Bar & Kitchen draws a steady flow of sports fans and music lovers.
With a bar menu that rivals and exceeds the dinner menu when it comes to size and volume, Palmers Bar & Kitchen boasts a truly extensive selection of whiskeys, alongside a variety of gin, vodka, bourbon, rum, cocktails (both signature and classic ), digestifs and wines.
The Food
Boasting an extensive menu which offer a blend of tasty classics that are familiar to all and intriguing options that awaken your curiosity, a number of the dishes featured have been created with fresh locally sourced produce from suppliers; Mary's Fish Shop, Corrib Free Range Eggs, Burkes Fruit & Vegetables, Sysco, Curley's Fruit & Vegetables, Aran Islands Goats Cheese and La Rousse Foods. The decision to opt for local, fresh ingredients was one that definitely paid off in my chosen dishes.
To start
With six dishes to choose from, the evening starter menu from Palmers Bar & Kitchen featured classics like 'soup of the day', Atlantic seafood chowder', 'Chicken wings' and 'Ardsallagh goats cheese salad', and innovative and intriguing options like; 'Chorizo garlic prawns', and 'Cauliflower wings'.
A dish consisting of fresh prawns and chorizo served on a slice of buttery toasted bread, the 'Chorizo garlic prawns' is a dish that proves that good food does not need to be overly complicated to be impressive. The buttery, sweet and savoury flavour profile of the prawns shines through in each bite, elevated by the smoky earthiness of the fried chorizo. Coupled with the buttery, garlic toasted bread, the result is a delicious, filling dish.
Main course
Much like the preceding starter menu, the main course menu at Palmers Bar & Kitchen features a wide variety of offerings to suit all tastes. Self described as a 'new local for a new era of casual eating', the dishes featured on the main course menu proves that Palmers Bar & Kitchen knows its audience and how to intrigue diners without overwhelming them.
Featuring eight options, mixing classic dishes like; 'Gilligan's beef burger', 'Tempura battered cod fillet', 'Supreme of chicken', and '10oz sirloin steak', with crowd pleasing additions like; 'Korean style ramen', 'Seabass' 'Pork chop' and 'Pappardelle', a vegetarian pasta dish made with grilled artichoke, there is something to suit every palate.
'A win-win adaption of a traditional recipe'
A firm favourite of many, Palmers Bar & Kitchen's take on fish and chips ala the 'Tempura battered cod flllet' is one that does the dish justice. Differing from 'traditional batters', Japanese tempura batter is made from flour, egg and very cold water or club soda, resulting in a delicate, ultra crispy batter that requires less oil for cooking. When it comes to fish, the lightness of the batter reduces the chances of over cooking the fish inside, making it a win-win adaption of a traditional recipe.
The 'Tempura battered cod fillet' perfectly cooked cod enveloped with a nicely seasoned crispy batter, accompanied by fresh tangy tartare sauce and a healthy serving of chips, upon tasting it is easy to see why it is one of the most popular choices for dinner at Palmers Bar & Kitchen.
Despite being simply titled as 'Pork Chop', the corresponding dish comes with a flavour profile that was anything but simple. Served with 'potato hash', savoy cabbage and cider jus, the combination resulted in the perfect blend of sweet and salty. The well prepped pork chop was juicy, tender and full of flavour which coupled well with the potato hash and fresh cabbage and was smothered in a delicious cider based gravy which tied any loose ends together.
Dessert
When it came to dessert, I felt as though I had been training my body for months to prepare. As someone who suffers from 'sweet toothitis', it was a challenge to find the internal room to fit in a pudding, but nevertheless, I persisted. Featuring five options; dark chocolate brownie, cranberry cheesecake, bread and butter pudding, apple crumble and the monumental 'PBK Sundae' which consists of four different flavours of ice cream (vanilla, strawberry, mint chocolate and chocolate ), topped with brownie pieces, crispy banana, caramel and chocolate sauce, the dessert menu did not disappoint.
Opting for the 'Bread and butter pudding', which was served with a generous dollop of salted caramel and a scoop of honeycomb ice cream, the result was a delightful revamp of a traditional favourite for many. Delicious, buttery, sweet and salty, the bread and butter pudding was the perfect finale to an exceptional meal.
Delightful experience
Manned by helpful, kind and warm staff who were knowledgeable about the menu and the different components in each dish, the service at Palmers Bar & Kitchen was exceptional.
Overseen by food and beverage manager Jack, who similarly was ever present in serving food and chatting with diners, the service team at Palmers provided a delightful experience in addition to the delicious fare created by the chefs in the kitchen.
To experience your own delightful experience at Palmers Bar & Kitchen, you can book a table by visiting the Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate website, or by calling 091 519 678. Palmers Bar & Kitchen is open Monday to Thursday from 10 am to 11:30 pm, Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 12:30 am, and Sunday 10am to 11 pm. Lunch is served daily between 12 pm to 5 pm. Dinner
