BLAIRS INN
All the hanging baskets and window boxes were catching the sun as I
landed at Blairs Inn in Cloghroe yesterday for lunch.
Blairs bills itself
as a traditional pub and restaurant and is popular with tourists and locals
alike. It is regarded as one of the top gastro-pubs in the country and you’ll
be well fed here.
Dishes in Blairs are quite substantial, so we skipped the starter and,
while waiting for the mains, enjoyed a bottle of that splendid Stonewell cider
(€5.50) from Nohoval. The Braised Shank of Lamb on a basil mash, served with a
Redcurrant and Rosemary jus, arrived and looked good in the dish.
Then another dish arrived! With the vegetables: turnips, broccoli and
carrots, all cooked to perfection. And that wasn't all as there was also some
top notch baked potatoes (smooth roosters) there. Quantity for sure and quality also.
Took my time with that lot but there was zilch left on the main plate
and that pleased our hosts no end. Service, with a smile,
was excellent and courteous and no pressure to take dessert or coffee. Beyond
me, in any case.
The bill, for two lamb and two cider, came to €46.90.
