“It was a few minutes drive (after the champagne, we were grateful for the chauffeur!)
to Hanged Man’s restaurant, the multi award-winning pub/restaurant near Milltown, owned
by Pat Keane (no relation!). Pat put Berney’s of Kilcullen on the culinary map before
he bought his restaurant six years ago. He was pleasant and welcoming, modest about his
achievements and helpful with the wine list. He recommended a wine from Uruguay – Vina
Progreso Resene Tannaf, 2002 (€33.50), which I would never have picked, but it turned
out to be an excellent choice: fruity, rounded and full of flavour. The menu was simple
with six starters and three specials and a choice of 11 plates for the main course,
which was more than ample for a pub/restaurant menu. The tiger prawns wrapped in
spinach and wonton pastry, served with a spicy plum dip, was tempting, but so was
the goat’s cheese tart with basil and pesto and the seafood chowder. In the end,
I went for the soup of the day, a delicious and comforting carrot and ginger (€4.50),
whilst Constance had mozzarella and tomato with basil and pesto dressing (€12.50).
“It’s got a light, fresh, summary flavour which is quite euphoric in mid-winter,” was
her verdict. …. “
“The main courses were mouth watering just to read. Roquefort fillet, lamb shanks,
roast stuffed peppers, baked yoghurt garlic chicken, baked salmon in a fennel cream
all sensibly priced between €24.50 and €29.50. Constance had no hesitation in picking
the boiled loin of bacon and cabbage (€24.50) and asked for second helpings of parsley
sauce “its comfort food at its best and my favourite meal along with bangers and mash
and Shepard’s pie. This is as good as Mammy’s was.” She raved. I was equally
satisfied with my honey roasted duck (€25.50) which was served on a bed of champ...”
“Before either of us got ruffled a magnificent platter of puddings arrived for our
delectation. She dived for the chocolate cake, whilst I pigged out on a miraculous
melange of brandy cream and almonds called Maskertoff tarte. A half bottle of Max
Chapoutier’s Muscat de Beaume de Venise, 2004 (€24) rounded off a delightful evening.
The service was friendly, unobtrusive and efficient….”
“The food fulfilled Pat Keane’s aspiration “to serve good fresh food in an
interesting and unusual way, consistently. “