The Phoenix Restaurant Castlemaine, Co. Kerry
After a busy week spent studying, my friend and I decided to treat ourselves to sunday lunch, and oh what a treat it was! Of course, both being vegetarian, we couldn’t just pop into any old eating house…..
We headed for Kerry, where on the road between Inch & Dingle you’ll find a real gem; The Phoenix Restaurant. The brain child of Lorna Tyther, it is renowned for its vegetarian, homegrown & seafood dishes & has been the recipient of some famed awards, including John & Sally McKennas. Lorna has also self published a cookbook, available to buy at the restaurant, for anyone wanting to turn their hand to recreating her dishes. As if the opportunity of driving along The Wild Atlantic Way on a rainy summer sunday wasn’t tempting enough!
The restaurant itself is quite homely with an eclectic, almost boho feel to it. We had to ask the waiter to give us more time when he came to take our order, so unused are we to having more than one option! While we were deciding, he kindly brought us a carafe of filtered water (no wine this time as we were both driving!) Everything sounded so inviting, but we could not see past the Exotic Phoenix Salad, big enough to share & with a selection of house tapas. The promise of organic, homegrown produce was too much to pass up and what we got, did not disappoint as you can see!
- The Exotic Phoenix Salad
The Phoenix is also unique, in that if offers you the opportunity to take a stroll through their bountiful gardens. Despite the fact that it is on the side of a busy road, you are transported into a place of total serenity! Take a look for yourself……
- Phoenix Restaurant Meditative Garden Design
- A Walk through the Gardens at The Phoenix Restaurant
If you are feeling adventurous, or aren’t prepared to make the 2.5 hour round trip like me, The Phoenix also offers some very interesting accommodation (we will definitely be booking in next time so we can enjoy a glass of wine or two!)…….
- Interesting accommodation at the Phoenix Restaurant
So the next time you find yourself driving along the breathtakingly beautiful Dingle Peninsula, a stop off at the Phoenix is a must.
Food for the body & for the soul!
- Watch out for this sign!!
A Leaf Less Ordinary 