Macnean House

What a place! 

Six of us when for dinner last night to celebrate two big birthdays - Sean and one of his old mates from college are turning 40 in September :) 

We stayed in the house itself, our room was lovely. The fact is we spent very little time there but made time to eat the homemade Madeleines and biscuits that were left in the room - a lovely touch. 

From the moment we walked through the door the service was flawless, all the staff are excellent! I just wish I could remember all their names. 

We had a table booked for 6pm. We went to the bar first for a drink and we had the menu explained to us. We agreed on the prestige menu with wine pairings. If you decide on that just remember it's for the whole table. 

I chose an appletini and while we were looking at the menus they brought out little snacks with our drinks - curried popcorn, spiced nuts, salmon meringue and a little biscuit (can't remember what was on that though!) 

When our table was ready we were brought through. I think we had the best table in the room :) 

The dining room is modern, comfy, intimate and v pretty - comfy chairs and chandeliers. 

The bread selection included pizza, tomato muffin and a cranberry and walnut sourdough.

First up was prawn spring roll and crab salad and a celeriac mousse

I chose the Ham Hock (served with black garlic, Apple sorbet and pork crackling) 

Sean went for the Quail - barbecued breast, ballotine stuffed leg with balsamic lentils and lemon powder.

Then I went for the Scallops served with pork cheek and textures of carrot followed by a little amuse bouche

Sean chose the sea bass 

Next course then was the Duck Breast, cooked medium and served with leg spring roll, cranberry and pine nut quinoa

The cheese course was Coolea cheese was served with baked apple and toasted cranberry and walnut sourdough

The pre dessert was a mini Creme brûlée and some sort of mango / passion fruit mousse 

Dessert for me was the chocolate sensation. The theatre of the chocolate bomb dissolving was just awesome. 

Sean chose the Mango and Yoghurt Semi Freddo 

We had the wine pairings as well which meant five different glasses of wine. The sommelier, Blaithin, is really something. She is so knowledgeable and the wine really accompanied the food perfectly. 

We had told them why we were there and they brought out two plates with happy birthday to the table. Both guys were mortified but it was really lovely and I think they secretly loved it. 

Then it was tea and coffee with petit fours which we had in the bar. We got to meet Neven - night made!!! 

Thankfully that was before a lot more drink. They make really good cocktails. I'd suggest you try the Jameson cider or the Macnean Sunrise. 

The following morning we got up for breakfast (served between 9 and 10:30am) brilliant continental breakfast selection. I chose the porridge for "starters" and then the waffles. 

So how do I begin to tell you how utterly brilliant it all was? I couldn't fault any aspect of it. If you ever get a chance to visit here you're in for an absolute treat! All that is left for me to say is thank you to everyone there, they really made the evening special and on that I will let the photos do the talking!