Wheres me jumpa

I finally got to dine at Carlows newest restaurant, The Grill and Grape. Thankfully their premises was unaffected by the flooding that has hit Carlow recently. Its riverside location is unique in Carlow but Im sure with the levels of water that were seen this week, they are relieved to have escaped unscathed.

Inside, you get a modern, spacious, well laid out restaurant. There are a few circular booth type tables that are ideal for larger crowds. And of course you have the window seats which over look the Barrow.

As you would expect with a steakhouse, dead cow dominates the menu. Very tasty Calamari started me off before I went for the 10oz Sirloin, while my other half went with what appears to be the signature dish, a rare steak served on a hot skillet. It cooks as you eat. It proved a novelty at first and is worth a try, but be prepared for some splashes and a slightly awkward meal.

Your steak comes plain jane, and you select a sauce which comes separately. This has a certain, American, diner type feel to it. I went for a garlic butter sauce. You expect when visiting a steakhouse to be blown away by the steak, although it was a nice piece of meat, Ive had better steaks, even in Carlow.

Plenty of sides to fill you up also. Ice cream for dessert, rounded off with a very potent espresso. Dinner for two, shared starter, shared dessert, espresso each and bottle of wine coming to a very reasonable 80 euro.

It’s a restaurant with a modern, trendy feel to it. It’s a significant change to the type of restaurant in Carlow and adds some variety. Also its location, slightly, away from the main streets, means it may attract more locals than stag/hen night blow-ins. It could be our little secret, ssshhh.