The Southeast — Great Food & Drink

Photos: (top left) The Cape, one of Wexford Town's most famous pubs; (top right) La Dolce Vita Restaurant in Wexford Town; (middle row) Rinuccini Restaurant, Zuni and Fleva, all in Kilkenny City; (bottom, left) Edward (Eamonn) Langton Pub, Kilkenny City; and (bottom, right) Jacques French Bistro at Green Acres, Wexford Town.

Restaurants

The Brasserie, Arundel Square, Waterford City (tel. 051-857774), is an informal and moderately-priced café/restaurant in the heart of the city’s shopping district.  A favorite gathering spot for locals, it serves snacks, salads, pizzas, burgers, pasta, and more.

Café Sol, William St., Kilkenny City (tel. 056-776-4987), is a little gem located off High Street. It is a blend of daytime café and evening restaurant, with menus that feature locally sourced meats, produce, and seafood, prepared with imagination and flair. Menu choices include chargrilled salmon, hamhock terrine, three cheese and pea risotto, crab pasta, or house-smoked duck breast. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Web site: www.cafesolkilkenny.com

Circle of Friends, The Square, Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny (tel. 056-775-8800), is named after the novel by Maeve Binchy which was made into a movie set in this charming town. It is  a café by day and a bistro by night, serving homemade soups, sandwiches, pizza, steaks, and more, topped off with fresh baked pastries, cakes, and pies.  Indoor and outdoor seating. Closed Monday.

Fleva, 84 High St., Kilkenny City (tel. 056-777-0021), is a hip upstairs restaurant in the heart of town, with art on the walls and creativity in the kitchen. Signature dishes range from rack of Kilkenny lamb to pigeon in mango or chili-spiced kangaroo. Open for dinner only Tuesday – Sunday and for Sunday lunch. Web site: www.fleva.ie

Forde’s Restaurant, Crescent Quay, Wexford (tel. 053-23832).  Set on the Quay overlooking the harbor, this award-wining upstairs restaurant is known for first-rate seafood, beef and rack of lamb. The décor is modern with a red and black theme, original art scenes of Ireland and candlelight. Open for dinner nightly; and for lunch on Sunday. Web site: www.fordesrestaurantwexford.com

Jacques French Bistro, Selskar, Wexford Town (tel. 053-912-2975), is a café surrounded by a permanent indoor farmers market known as "Green Acres" – offering fresh local and gourmet foods (breads, salads, soups, cheeses, olives, sun dried tomatoes, pasta, fruits, preserves, chocolates and more), with the added ambiance of an art gallery on the premises, and seating indoors and outside. If you prefer to take the food with you, there is also an extensive deli and wine shop.  Closed: Sunday. Web site: www.greenacres.ie

La Dolce Vita, 6-7 Trimmers La., Wexford Town (tel. 053-917-0806). A big green, white and red awning on a side street of Wexford signals the entrance to this mecca for fine Italian food. Chef Roberto Pons offers a tempting array of antipasti, soups, salads, and pastas, all prepared in authentic Italian style. For picnics, there is also a deli here. Open only for lunch.

Lautrecs Brasserie, 9 Kieran St., Kilkenny City (tel. 056-776-2720), is a long-established favorite on a side street, named after Toulouse-Lautrec. There is a South of France ambiance with copies of the famous French painter’s work on the walls, and a décor of terracotta and cream, enhanced by stone floors and walls. The menu is varied including seafood, pizzas and salads. Open for dinner only every night. Web site: www.lautrecs.com

Le Tire Bouchon, 112 S. Main St., Wexford (tel. 053-912-4877). Situated above the Sky & The Ground Pub, this stylish restaurant melds local Irish ingredients into a mix of classic and creative French cuisine, such as black pudding stuffed with Toulouse sausage, wild boar terrine, prawn risotto and Barberry duck. Not surprisingly, for dessert, crepes Suzette and Baked Alaska top the list. Web site: www.letirebouchon.ie

McAlpin's Cottage Bistro, Cheekpoint Village, Co. Waterford (tel. 051-380854). For a change of pace, it's well worth a seven-mile drive east of Waterford City to this family-run restaurant near the harbour where three rivers meet (Suir, Nore and Barrow). The menu presents the best of locally sourced seafood, meat and produce, served in a cozy 17th century maritime-themed cottage atmosphere. Open for dinner Monday-Saturday in May-September and Tuesday-Saturday in October-April; except closed January and last week of September. Web site: www.cottagebistro.com

Restaurant Rinuccini, 1 The Parade, Kilkenny (tel. 056-61575), situated opposite Kilkenny Castle. If you crave Italian food, it's hard to top this Irish/Italian restaurant run by the Cavaliere family. Specialties include homemade pastas, seafood, and local meats. Web site: www.rinuccini.com

The Yard, 3 Lr. George’s St., Wexford Town (tel. 053-914-4083). Tucked in the oldest part of Wexford near Selskar Abbey, this trendy venue is a coffee shop by day (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and also a full service restaurant from noon to 3 p.m. for lunch and 6 p.m. to 9 or 10 p.m. for dinner. The menu presents an array of international recipes using local produce with tasty results (beef, lamb, free-range chicken, Kilmore shrimp, Wexford mussels, berries, and farmhouse cheeses). Indoor and outdoor dining.  Web site: www.theyard.ie

Zuni, 26 Patrick St., Kilkenny (tel. 056-772-3999). As its exotic name implies, this is a trendy and chic restaurant in the heart of the city, popular with discerning and well-heeled locals. The menu offers contemporary Irish cuisine with Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Asian influences. The early bird menu offers very good value. Open for dinner daily and lunch Tuesday-Sunday.  There are also 13 guestrooms on upper floors, accessible by lift. Web site: www.zuni.ie

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Cafés & Coffee Shops

Cappuccinos, 25 N. Main St., Wexford Town (tel. 053-912-3669), the longest established coffee house in Wexford, offering full barista service.

Kilkenny Design Café, The Parade, Kilkenny (tel. 056-22118). Housed on the upper floor of a craft complex, this self-service café offers a splendid array of freshly made soups, salads, casseroles, pastries, and breads. Web site: www.kilkennydesign.com

O’Briens Irish Sandwich Bar, 41 N. Main St., Wexford Town, (tel. 053-912-2242), is an all-Ireland chain known for its made-to-order sandwiches, or specials such as the “wrappo”, “toostie,” and smoothies. Also located at Redmond Square (tel. 053-912-6639). Web site: www.obriensonline.com

The Pantry, 61 The Quay, Waterford City (tel. 051-874938), has been a longtime favorite with the locals, for a quick economical meal or snack throughout the day.  It is situated in an alley between The Quay and George’s St., next to the Granville Hotel.  The menu features home baked breads, cakes, soups, salads and sandwiches. Closed Sunday.

Rathwood, Rath., Tullow, Co. Carlow (tel. 0503-56285), situated on a back road amid sheep-filled fields, this self-service café is part of a garden centre/craft complex. The menu offers made-to-order sandwiches, pastries, and home-baked goods, all served on local pottery. Web site: www.rathwood.com

Sky View Café, 3rd floor, Wexford Opera House, High St., Wexford Town (tel. 053-914-2598).  One of Wexford’s most unique eateries is situated atop the stunning new opera house, providing panoramic views of the town and sea. Serving morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea, the menu offers home-baked breads cakes, scones, pastries, and tarts, as well as oak smoked salmon and chicken, hearty soups, salad bowls, and made-to-order sandwiches. Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed Sunday. Web site: www.wexfordoperahouse.ie

South 51 Café/Bar, 51 S. Main St., Wexford Town, (tel. 053-917-4559), a trendy spot, serving bar food and cocktails on three floors. Open daily. Web site: www.south51.com

Stable Diet Café, 100 S. Main St.,Wexford Town (tel. 053-914-9012) – a haven for healthy food sourced and produced at a nearby 18th century farm and farmhouse kitchen. The menu offers homemade soups, crisp salads, roasted vegetables, meats, fish and freshly made quiches and tartines, as well as scones and cakes including Wexford fruit cake and a signature carrot cake. Pancakes (flapjacks) and toasted cereals are also popular choices for breakfast. Web site: www.stablediet.com

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Pubs

Con Macken’s The Cape, Bull Ring, off N. Main St., Wexford Town, (tel. 053-912-2949), unique combination of bar, undertaker and wine shop – worth a photo of the façade

Edward (Eamonn) Langton, 69 John St., Kilkenny (tel. 056-65133), is actually composed of six different bars - blending old world, contemporary, clubby and garden ambiance. All settings offer an award-winning pub food menu. Web site: www.langtons.ie/bars

Jack Meade's Pub, Cheekpoint Rd. Waterford, (tel. 051-873187) is off-the-beaten-track, located in a sheltered valley 4 miles south of Waterford City. It dates back to1705 and has been in the same family for almost 150 years. Enjoy old pictures, antiques, and open fireplaces inside and a beer garden and walking trails on the grounds outside. Web site: www.jackmeades.com

Kyteler's Inn, Kieran St., Kilkenny (tel. 056-21064), is a fine example of a medieval tavern, dating back to the 14th century. Wander through the caverns and arches and see memorabilia associated with Dame Alice Kyteler who was accused of being a witch. Web site: www.kytelersinn.ie

Marine Bar, Pulla, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford (tel. 058-46520), started as a shebeen in the 1700’s for passing mariners on the road between Waterford and Cork (N25).  Hosts Christy and Helen O’Neill still provide a seafaring atmosphere with good lunchtime bar food.  Christy, who is an ace musician, often pulls out his guitar and plays a few tunes during the day, but the real music starts at night from 9:30 p.m. Web site: www.marinebar.com

The Sky & The Ground, 112 S. Main St., Wexford Town, (tel. 053-912-1273), is an old style pub with music, with a French rrestaurant upstairs.

T & H Doolans, 32 George's St., Waterford (tel. 051-872764), dates back over 200 years and was once a stagecoach stop. With a Tudor façade and a lantern-lit interior of great charm, it claims to be Waterford's oldest pub. Web site: www.tandhdoolans.com

The Munster, The Mall, Waterford (tel. 051-874656), is a favorite in the heart of Waterford. The décor combines etched mirrors, antique Waterford glass sconces, and dark wood walls, some of which came from timber recycled from the original Waterford toll bridge. "The Men's Bar" is a classic remnant of a different age.

Thomas Moore Tavern, The Cornmarket, Wexford Town, (tel. 053-912-4348), is a local landmark named after the Irish poet and songwriter whose mother was born in this building. (Note: This tavern is currently under renovation and may not be open until further notice).

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