Three to Try: Gastropub Grub
The Wild Boar: Stepaside Village,Co Dublin.Tel: (01) 205-2048
Style
A contemporary, informal countryside pub with great rustic food from Eamonn O'Reilly. Craft beer and local produce is a speciality. They serve chops, cutlets, steaks on the bone, cured meats, fish, local cheeses and pies. Home-made jams, relishes, and fruit cordials also
Price
Mains, €8-€19.95
Try
Dry-aged rib-eye with hand-cut chips, cassis onions and garlic butter
Wine
From €19.90
Blair's Inn
Cloghroe,
Blarney,
Co Cork.
Tel: (021) 438-1470
Style
A gorgeous atmospheric pub and restaurant where food is a serious issue with chefs Herve Rembourg and Duncan Blair. Angus steaks from Co Cork, shellfish and fish from Kenmare. Dine al fresco in summer
Price
Mains, €11.50-€25
Try
Pan-fried fillet of John Dory on roasted Mediterranean
vegetables with lemon and thyme beurre blanc
Wine
From €22.95
The Abbey Tavern
Quin,
Co Clare.
Tel: (065) 682-5525
Style
Located opposite the historic Quin Abbey, this is a great, welcoming, lively pub doing excellent scrumptious comfort food. Great 16oz T-bone steaks combine with local lamb and fish. You can stay the night, too
Price
Mains €10-€26
Try
Pan-fried collops of monkfish -- lime-flavoured monkfish on ginger-flavoured egg noodles with an orange and ginger creme veloute
Wine
From €16.25
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