Courtyard Delight at Kildorrery: “The Thatch and Thyme"

 Courtyard Delight in Kildorrery:

“The Thatch and Thyme”

Chicken and chorizo

It was lunchtime when we pulled up on the main street in Kildorrery and hardly a soul on the footpath. We entered the restaurant “The Thatch and Thyme”, it was quiet immediately inside the door, the indoor dining space. But there was colour and the buzz of conversation outside in the sunny courtyard where we were soon seated with a couple of dozen other diners, young and old, some in family groups.

Chef Joanne McEldowney has been running the business here since 2013 and she is busy as ever in the kitchen as we passed through the currently unused indoor dining space. We did have a quick word on the way out and she told me she is delighted to have the use of the courtyard. She is thankful too to be busy serving her customers whether here in the courtyard or via take-out.

Coronation Chicken

An hour earlier, on our way back from a break up the country, we had begun to think about lunch. We were on the main road from Limerick, had a quick look at the map, and saw that there is a direct link from Kilmallock to Kildorrery. So soon we were heading for Bruree and enjoyed the drive down through pleasant countryside, you are in the Ballyhouras around here, and in no time at all we arrived at our lunch venue.

Service was excellent from start to finish, smiles and chats, and soon we had the menus in our hands. You may start with either soup or chowder (each comes in a small and larger size). Then pick from a good list of sandwiches, everything from Cajun Chicken to Baked Ham and Cheddar to Fresh Baked Salmon, served with tossed house salad, vine tomato, pickled cucumber and mustard dressing, all priced between 7.50 and 9.50.

Sweet!

CL picks the Coronation Chicken (spiced chicken breast bound in curry mayo with spinach, almonds, mango and sultanas). The chicken is superb and very well cooked and everything else is tip notch as well.

I made my pick from the hot dishes. Choice included Pan-fried Hake, a Beetroot and Goats Cheese Tart or a Pork Belly salad with Hanley’s Black Pudding. And also on offer were a number of Cold Salad Plates.

I had been looking at the Beef Stroganoff (strips of Irish beef with mashed potato, rather than rice) but in the end plumped for the Warm Chicken and Chorizo salad with spiced coriander chickpeas and tzatziki dip. Another tasty winner and, in each case, just the job.

Screenshot from their Facebook of the courtyard!

There’s quite a display of baked treats here and there was no way we could pass on those. We ordered a couple and they were boxed for us and we enjoyed both a few hours later while relaxing back at home.

Based in a well kept thatched community building, the restaurant is open Tuesday to Saturday, and you can have your breakfast here as well as lunch. 

The Thatch and Thyme

Main Street

Kildorrery

Co. Cork

Facebook here 

Tel: 087 282 3503

* Kildorrery by the way is not a sleepy country town. The pavements were certainly quiet around lunchtime but the streets and junctions were busy. Kildorrery has quite a few neighbouring villages and towns, including Mallow, Fermoy, Mitchelstown, Doneraile, Glanworth, Buttevant, Castletownroche, Charleville and Kilmallock! Just saying, walking or driving or cycling (as may be the case for Ballyhoura devotees), be careful at the junction of the N73 and the R512.

Kildorrery’s Thatch and Thyme

Kildorrery’s Thatch and Thyme

Fisherman's Stew

Aside from the traffic rushing through the crossroads (to Mitchelstown, Mallow, Buttevant, Charleville and Kilmallock), the main street in Kildorrery village is quiet, not a pedestrian in sight.

That was the scene last Tuesday lunchtime. Where was everyone? Enjoying the food at Thatch and Thyme by the looks of it. The 12 month old restaurant was packed. And soon we would see why.

Joanne McEldowney’s cooking is top class. She uses mainly local produce. It is tidily presented and service is with a smile. Based in a well kept thatched community building, the restaurant is open Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 5.00pm, so you can have your breakfast here as well.

Occasionally, they open for evening meals but these are usually private parties. The room has a vintage feel and can seat about 30. In addition, if the sun shines, the outdoor courtyard area will take another 25. By the way, there are some great views, over half of Munster, from the village itself.

Back to the grub. They have quite a selection of baps, wraps and open sandwiches (from €6.50 to 8.50). And no shortage of main courses either, though there was some disappointment at our table that their famous ribs weren't available on the day!

The lamb though was available and it was impeccable, simple and honestly prepared, really tender and beautifully cooked as were the vegetables on the side. It was Roast Leg of Slaney Valley lamb, with mint oil, red currant juice, those seasonal vegetables and mashed potato (12.50).

Chowder (top)
and Rhubarb

CL went for the colourful and flavourful Fisherman's Stew: Cod, Calamari, Salmon, Mackerel, Crab, Mussels and Prawns, cooked in a rich tomato and white wine sauce and served with baby potatoes and wilted greens (13.50). 

I had started with a flavour of the sea. The creamy seafood chowder (fish and molluscs) was delicious as was CL’s Soup of the Day. Both, by the way, were available in small and large sizes.

The choice of dessert was unanimous as the rhubarb for the tasty crumble came from a nearby hill (another great view up there) and was grown organically by Mick Cotter who tipped us off about this lovely friendly restaurant in a gorgeous area of North Cork.

Find Thatch and Thyme on Facebook