Pastis Restaurant, Glencairn Inn, Lismore.

Stéphane and Fiona Tricot will give you a warm welcome at their Pastis Restaurant in the Glencairn Inn. The husband and wife team bought this charming pub just outside Lismore and wasted no time in changing it to a vision of rural France in rural Ireland. This charming property is in an idyllic setting and decorated with antiques from here and France. Four utterly charming rooms make this a sought after destination spot.

There are three dining rooms, each as cosy as the last, and a private dining area for four people. Fiona manages the front of house, while Stéphane is literally cooking up a Gallic storm in the kitchen using local produce where at all possible. They have gained a loyal following since opening and we have been hearing very good things for a while now. Typically the menu will offer about five options for each course and changes depending on seasonality and availability, but you may be choosing from warm goat cheese and roasted beets on a toasted crouton with sun-dried tomato and basil pesto, breaded baked mussels with garlic and parsley butter or main courses such as pan seared fillet of Araglin River Trout with toasted almond butter sauce or corn-fed Chicken Supreme Bourguignon with rich red wine sauce with lardons and mushrooms. There is a carefully chosen wine list and plenty available by the glass. The prices are very reasonable and a three course dinner will cost €45, while starters are from a fiver and of course you can just drop in a for a main course, the Fresh Tagliatelle with Creamy Wild Mushroom Sauce and Shaved Parmesan served with Garlic Ciabatta and Mixed Green Salad for 22 euros is particulary good.

There is a pretty patio area if you are lucky enough to plan your trip to coincide with one of our very rare summer evenings, but don’t worry too much, you can always perch yourself on a stool at the bar and while away some time until dinner. The rooms carry on the attention to detail and personal touch and make this a great spot for a weekend getaway. Enjoy.