Review
Germaines of Baltinglass is a surprise for those on their first visit. It’s impressive from the outside by its sheer size, taking up a large section of the street in the centre of the town. With a pub, bar, restaurant, function room, roof terrace, accommodation and children’s play area there is something for all the family; especially parents, as they also run a kids club through weekends from 2-6pm
Starting from the rooftop is The Meadow, their roof terrace where they hold barbecues every time the sun pops its head out. Downstairs are the bars and the restaurant, eating in the bar is an option and daily they run a very successful carvery from 12noon to 3pm. There is also a bar menu available all day
The restaurant is to the rear of the building, in an area with exposed brickwork and a large fireplace as centre piece. Subtle lighting and candles on the table create an intimate feeling, while the staff are exceptionally helpful and with Joseph Germaine out front of house, everything runs very smoothly
Starters range in price from €4.95 for their cream of vegetable soup to €9.95 for a full rack of ribs or 1lb of wings .Hubbie Fred chose the smaller option of wings of fire, ½ lb marinated in Joe’s original spicy sauce and served with Germaine’s house salad while I went with the shrimp, tail on, battered and butterflied also served with Joe’s hot sauce and Germaine’s house salad, both were great and ‘yes’ the sauce is HOT
There are plenty of options for main courses, from a chicken madras curry to lasagne, with several steak and burger options, and fajitas or stir fry all priced from €11.95 for an 8oz classic steak burger to €24.95 for the 16oz T-Bone or €28.95 for an 8oz fillet steak on a stone. All main courses are served with chips, potatoes, salad or vegetable options
This evening we decided to go steak all the way, Fred ordered the T-Bone and I went with the fillet on the stone, both were the finest Hereford beef and came with sautéed mushrooms and onions, a house salad and baked potato, a choice of pepper sauce or garlic butter. I had remembered the natural salt Joe had brought from Portugal the last time we were here and honestly feel this makes the steak
With the full bar there is a wide selection of wines and drinks, I drank a vodka and slimline tonic and Fred had a pint of Guinness, the best in the area we’ve been told. Desserts at Germaines are all homemade, and I was tempted with the fresh fruit filled pavalova which was light and refreshing filled with berries and apple while Fred had the apple crumble to accompany his cappuccino, and it wasa retro classic, just like granny used to make.
Germaine’s serve quality food, that’s well prepared and good value. A great location helps of course, and it’s an ideal stop off on a family day out
If you are touring around Wicklow they also have very nice rooms, check their website for prices and availability.
