Whiskey Tasting

The new Clermont Restaurant We recently tried out the New Clermont Restaurant, with our friends. We had a drink in the bar while we waited for our table. The young guy that served us our drinks was so welcoming and friendly. We were shown to our table in the restaurant, and the girl went through the menu in detail explaining everything, very helpful. Our meal was beautiful from starters, main course and deserts. The decor throughout is beautiful. Overall a very good experience, looking forward to our next night out in The Clermont.

If you like to just eat beef, this is the place for you... I have visited The Clermont on a number of occasions, always to give it one more chance. I think they have had it now. The decor of this restaurant is absolutely stunning and contrary to other reviews, we found the staff, to be both friendly and attentive. But, we went to The Clermont, to eat. If you like beef, you should definitely go there. My husband eats beef very rarely and I am a vegetarian, so we found the menu very limited. Yes, there was Fish and Chips on the menu and some chicken but if he wanted fish and chips, he would go to Mullins a few doors away. I had the Vegetarian Ragù which was very average to say the least. I also had a side of chunky chips that I had to send back as they were not cooked properly. I was really surprised that the chef did not notice that white slices of semi cooked potatoes were being served. When we were there, we also had a look at The Chairmans menu. This is also predominantly beef based, so we will not be going there. As a vegetarian, I realise that unless it is a specialist vegetarian restaurant, the restaurant will not be just catering for me. I do believe, however, with the rise of flexitarianism, restaurants need to be offering more non meat dishes. A choice between (a poor) vegetarian ragù and gnocchi just does not cut it. But, of course, if you fancy a steak - go for it.

Beautiful surroundings Disappointing food The food was very hit and miss. Although everything was exceptionally presented the food was very bland especially when it came to the fish dishes. The breaded fish and chips was very oily and lacking flavour but in particular the blackened salmon dish was extremely bland. The salmon was cooked well but tasted like very basic salmon and was under seasoned, the accompaniments where awful. The watercress puree has no flavour and the mirin potatoes where like strips of raw unflavoured potato on the plate.

For the meat dishes, we got short rib and the strip loin steak and both where lovely. Again the chips where bland and in this case under cooked. The children got pizzas which they enjoyed, the childrens menu is reasonable and well done.

Overall the place is really done lovely, the staff where lovely but let down by the food and in the end if doesn’t matter how pretty the place is if the food is below par.

I did reach out to the place directly but having had no reply I have decided to post the review

Disappointing Restaurant I made a reservation for last Saturday. It was our 6th engagement anniversary ( and Valentine`s weekend). We arrived on time and was seated between a birthday party table and another table of two near the door on the way to the bathrooms.The restaurant was half empty so I politely asked if we could get another table, but I got just a brief cold answer that all the tables are booked. So we took a table, but I felt very uncomfortable so I went to ask the same lady ( tall, short hair, glasses ) if we could eat in the bar. The answer was no as meal is served in the bar till 4.00pm and it was 4.30pm...Fair enough. Well, she didn`t make any effort to make us feel welcomed. I was hungry and didn`t want to spoil our date with my husband ( these days it`s so special having a date just us as we have two small children ), so we stayed. I ordered a steak and my husband a fish. Steak was delicious, but the vegetables raw and peppercorn sauce very watery. We were asked how was everything when paying our bill. I mentioned the above and got a reply it will be passed to the kitchen. Our experience definitely wasn`t value for money. Will not be in a rush to go back. Not to mention when we were leaving most of the tables which were empty when we arrived were still empty...

Very poor evening meal I have enjoyed 4 visits to the Clermont at lunchtime. The menu isn't extensive at lunchtime but the food my friends and I ordered was very good. The interior is very nice, the seating comfortable and the service ok. I visited last night with friends for an evening 'dinner'. Two of us ordered spaghetti carbonara, which was practically inedible. It had no flavour at all and wasn't even hot, when served. We didn't make a fuss, but we won't return in the evening again. Thankfully there are other much better options in Ireland's tidiest small town

The Chairman’s Room - simply amazing My wife and I visited the Chairman’s Room upstairs in the Clermont last Saturday and it was simply amazing. This is basically a Michelin Star restaurant that no one has heard of. It seems primarily focused on beef which comes from the owner's farm. Let me tell you it’s well worth a try. A rich amuse Bouche was followed by addictive sweet warm bread, simple and light starters followed by the main event which was amazing! The service is great with professional staff who know their wine’s and gave us an excellent recommendation. 5 stars all the way.