The Maigue in Adare

Delicious, lovingly prepared food. The service is excellent. Wow!

I cannot wait to return here again. Fine dining executed flawlessly. I was very relaxed here for my dinner. Upon entering it was quiet, I was the first to arrive and I was able to capture the exquisite setup of the tables before people came to enjoy their meals. Pristine white table cloths and perfectly placed vintage cutlery. The staff were very welcoming, and they had instinctively well timed table approaches, nothing overbearing or intrusive. Very well executed. The food choices were very difficult. I do wish I could have sampled everything on the menu. Absolutely delicious.

The food was very good and the atmosphere was also excellent. It felt like the restaurant is aiming for a Michelin-star level experience. The portions were on the smaller side, but that’s understandable given the complexity of the dishes and the modern approach. We started with the soup and the chicken terrine. The terrine was something new and quite different from the traditional style — the gelatine paired with pesto added an interesting and modern twist. They also served complimentary onion bread, which was surprisingly one of the highlights of the evening. It was excellent and left a strong impression, especially as a complimentary offering. For the mains, the beef was good overall, though it felt a bit small for the price. That said, the accompaniments were well thought out. The haddock, on the other hand, was excellent — beautifully cooked, with two sauces and a few vegetables that worked very well together. Both dishes came with a potato pavé, which was very good. I’m not entirely convinced it pairs as well with beef, but it suited the fish nicely. While it adds an elegant touch, it still can’t quite replace classic chips — though I wouldn’t mind the pavé at all. The beef was ordered medium-rare, but parts of it were closer to rare. At a price of €40, it should really be cooked exactly as requested. We also ordered Pinot Grigio, which we absolutely loved. For dessert, the portions were just enough, though they could have been slightly larger. Again, the desserts were complex and clearly showcased quality and artisanal skill. We chose the tart and the mousse, and both were very enjoyable. The service was very good overall. The waitress was attentive and observant, and although a few small things were forgotten along the way, she was welcoming, gave a good introduction to the dishes, and was quick to bring us more bread when needed. It would be interesting to see how the experience compares during a Sunday roast, and we would happily return to try it.