Harvey's Point, Lough Eske, Donegal

Harvey’s Point is a little bit special. Actually it’s more than that. It’s probably the best place we stayed all year. That’s because it is family run, the staff are really friendly and really care, the food is great, and if that’s not enough they have a ‘pet’ goose – more of an occasional hanger on really – called Harvey, who walks up to the kitchen for his brekkie, and gets owners Deidre McGlone and her husband out in a rowing boat when he gets stuck in the ice. Like I said, it’s special.

You will find Harvey’s Point only a short distance from Donegal town. The exterior is reminiscent of a Swiss chalet, albeit a big one. When you discover that some of the family who own it are Swiss, it all of course makes sense. Inside the luxurious interior are all cream marble, gentle lighting and beautiful chandeliers and a friendliness that has had every worth-while guide sing their praises. This hotel has developed into the market leader of the Northwest and has its sights on becoming one of the leading hotels in Ireland.

We are here for a short weekend break, and the room is spectacular. It is perfectly possible to spend a weekend in one of the suites without actually seeing anyone - including possibly your partner – they are almost that large. We have three connecting rooms and spend far too much time sitting in armchairs with our feet up, and playing with whirlpool baths. The snow has come and gone, but little do we know it’s going to come back again in a day or two, for what will probably go down in history as the big freeze of Christmas 2010. On the Saturday evening, it is down to the main restaurant for dinner.

Food occupies a hugely important place in Harvey’s Point. The bar and restaurant are in a wing which stretches down to the lakes edge, the main dining room with it’s large picture windows provides particularly beautiful views. The tables are well spaced, the chairs are comfortable and good quality napery and glassware leaves you in no doubt this is a serious restaurant. Restaurant manager Damien McClay and his team run the front of house like clockwork, leaving you nothing more troublesome to do than enjoy the food.

Seated at our table by the window, we enjoy a selection of fresh bread with our bottle of sparkling water while we choose from the menu. It is a set four course dinner, and the menu is short but well chosen. Starters tempt us with curried monkfish, organic smoked salmon with red onion, beetroot and grapefruit, a cepes tart, Foie Gras on brioche or quail with saffron chutney and white onion mousse.

The main courses, pose a dilemma, Deirdre is torn between North Atlantic Halibut, or Atlantic scallops with braised pork belly, while I can’t choose between the Finnebrogue venison or the fillet and short rib of Black Angus beef.

When we finally decide, a glass of T’air D’oc, French Sauvignon Blanc is Deidre’s choice, while I choose a glass of Pinot Grigio to accompany the starter and a Candidato Tinto Tempranillo for the main. Deirdre had decided on the homemade tortellini with epoisses cheese and a brown onion consommé, which was perfectly cooked and bursting with flavour. My choice was the curried monkfish cheek with mango mint and coconut. An exquisite dish with more than a little imagination. Between courses we both enjoyed a lime and fromage frais sorbet, and palate cleansed, thoroughly enjoyed our main courses, the venison for me, was cooked pink and the bitter chocolate gnache and mulled wine sauce worked a treat. Deidre’s scallops and pork belly was served on piece of slate, artistically arranged and tasted wonderful.

We shared a dessert of apple tart tatin and some cheeses along with a glass or port and finished with some excellent coffees. A drink in the bar and it was back to the luxury upstairs.

Ireland has many fine hotels, perhaps more that it should. However, we have stayed in a lot of them over the last few years and Harvey’s Point has that something extra that it is hard to really put your finger on. Everything – rooms, food, staff – are great, but it is even more that the sum of these parts. It is special, and definitely worth a visit. Say hello to Harvey for me.