Upon hearing that I was visiting Westport this weekend my sister P told me about one of her classmates from Cooks’ Academy opening a restaurant in the town, I said I would go along and check it out. The original plan had been to have a coffee and cake or maybe some lunch one of the days but once we saw the dinner menu last night we went straight in to book a table, to our further delight the lovely Janice told us about their early bird menu of 5 courses & a bottle of wine for a couple for €55!!

The Pantry and Corkscrew is situated on The Octagon in the centre of Westport town, lovely bright oilcloths adorn all the tables and a bright red Italian sourced coffee machine sits proudly on the counter. Its a warm cosy place with a mixture of art, brass framed sketches, old mirrors and clocks hanging on the walls. Dermott Flynn & Janice O’Rourke opened their restaurant in July this year after many years of dreaming and planning. Dermott, originally from Westport, is the chef and Janice manages front of house.

The early bird menu had a decent choice - I had a goats cheese crostini to start and D had a greek salad both were tasty and fresh this was followed by a lemon sorbet, something I hadn’t had for years and it was lovely!! We had a spaghetti carbonara and beef burger with handcut chips to follow, the burger was perfectly cooked, served on a toasted bun with just the right amount of salad and a beautiful homemade tomato ketchup. D’s carbonara was beautiful and not too heavy, it didn’t last long enough for me to get a second taste!

We both had apple crumble for dessert, it was delicious with a crunchy crumble topping and a lovely warming cinnamon flavour. A bottle of red Sicilian organic wine accompanied our meal and we literally didn’t have room for the tea & coffee which was included.

The full evening menu reveals the use of locally produced products such as Carrowholly cheese, Kelly’s Traditonal Black Pudding and local butcher McCormack’s steaks. The coffee they use is an organic bean which is roasted in Drogheda.

The Pantry & Corkscrew is a lovely friendly restaurant with delicious food & wine and good value.. I will definitely return.

Ps: I went back this morning and took the photos, forgot my camera last night .. I am a slow learning blogger!

Lovely bright tableclothes, beautiful old chairs many found in charity shops, bespoke wine rack, artwork and and china Janice and Dermott have been collecting for years.