Westport is known for its fantastic views, tidy town of the year, tasty food and superb hospitality. Croagh Patrick is the centrepiece of the town and can be seen from every restaurant and hotel dining room. We were invited to eat at the Westport Country Lodge Hotel last Sunday evening, which is located in Aughagower, about two miles out of Westport on the Ballinrobe road.
It was a wet and cold January night when we arrived at the hotel. The car park was full, the hotel was lit up, the bar was busy, and when we walked into the lounge area, we forgot all about the weather outside. Everything about the hotel was warm and inviting, from the reception to the bar, beautifully furnished, cream and purple walls, deep rich carpets, modern seating and comfortable sofas.
Marie, a lovely local waitress, brought us to our candlelit table in the lounge area. The menu offered loads of delicious choices, all very reasonably priced, starters priced from €4.95, mains from €11.50 and tempting desserts from just €4.50. Julie had a warm pan fried chicken strips and bacon salad, on dressed leaves with a heart shaped balsamic garnish. I tried it and it was delicious, the chicken was moist and the bacon crispy.
I opted for the unusual Portobello mushroom stuffed with ham and cheese, which was piping hot, topped with a fine herb salad. This was a fantastic starter, really different from the usual fare and everything went so well together. Great job Chef. While we were eating, the bar area started to fill up again, Angela informed us that there was a 70th birthday celebration, all locals.
The main courses featured fresh local roast Sunday lunch dinners, like turkey and ham, roast beef with Yorkshire pudding, and local stuffed leg of lamb, all served with a red wine jus. I choose the 10oz sirloin steak, with sautéed onions and mushrooms, crispy homemade onion rings, chips and creamy peppercorn sauce. I asked for medium rare and it was perfect. Seasoned beautifully, on a bed of smooth mashed potato, an excellent plate of food.
Julie had the supreme of chicken wrapped in bacon, with savoury stuffing and a rich mushroom jus, served on mash with broccoli and baton carrots. She polished off the plate, loved it, another lovely dish. By the way the roast potatoes on each dish were to die for, homemade, crispy on the outside and fluffy in the middle!
The hotel was unbelievably busy, but the waiting staff made us both feel that we were the most important people in the restaurant. Seriously great service and food, and fantastic value for money, which is what we all want, isn’t it? There is an extensive wine menu that features European, South American and Australian favourites, all reasonably priced, not overpriced, maybe that’s why the locals support the hotel?
Now to the desserts, Wow, I ordered the lime and lemon cheesecake and was so happy to receive the crumbly biscuit base, light and tangy cheesecake, full of flavour, homemade and delicious. The presentation of Julie’s profiteroles with vanilla ice cream and warm chocolate sauce was top class.
The Westport Country Lodge Hotel is a unique venue, different from anything else in Westport, fabulous food, great staff, and warm welcomes and full of locals. The hotel boasts 21 luxury bedrooms, ideal for a stay over, it is family orientated and a perfect place for communions, confirmations and weddings, in fact any celebration. Bookings for the fabulous Valentine’s Day menu are now being taken.
This hotel is a hidden gem, right on our doorstep, an amazing place to eat, great value, simple wholesome cooking from the heart, with great presentation, hard to beat. You don’t have to be a local to eat there, so if you are looking for a change from the usual fare, give the Westport Country Lodge Hotel a go, you won’t be disappointed. Make a reservation on (098 ) 56030
