The best restaurantsof irish in Monaghan

10/08/2024: Unfortunately after visiting CL for 17 years this has to be the worst experience I have ever had. Unfortunatley the menu is very constrictive and limited in choices. The chef seriously needs to review this especially for vegans and coelic options. However I fought to find somethng and had a starter with sides. The biggest issue is the quality of service which has gone from absolutely superb to absolutely awful. We asked, repeated and recalled and every time there was an excuse, multiple mistakes and blank faces staring at us. We were not the only table complaining but I will not speak for others. Come on CL, do not let this institution decline especially at the prices you are charging!

03/07/2024: Went to this bar this afternoon for a friend’s birthday . The food and the place were great, really lovely , but the service was - sorry to have to say it - poor . Service can be a deal breaker and difficult to get right . The first waitress - a Malaysian / Indonesian girl was glum . The water carafe had really wet the table and the menus , however , she made no effort to get a cloth and dry the table . Her attitude towards us was a variety of indifference and quasi hostility . She did not engage with us in any way apart from writing down our order . There was no banter , no smile , no reference to the food . We also ordered a bottle of wine between two . I clearly stated I wasn’t drinking ( as I was the driver ) but yet two glasses arrived . I felt like I was the one who did something wrong when she curtly pointed out that I needed to move my water beaker in order for her to put down the wine glass ( which I was not going to use anyway ) . We both felt almost intimidated to ask anything as feedback and engagement were apparently ‘ not on any menu ‘ ! The food arrived and it was super . That said nobody asked us if we were ok or if the food was ok or if we needed anything . We were left to our own devices . We requested assistance from three other waitresses throughout the course of the meal . Two were business like and one was just inexperienced - we left a tip but she did not even say ‘ Thank you ‘ . This was disappointing . A more mature lady approached at one point and she was somewhat friendly . She offered to refill the water carafe but the water never arrived . Before leaving I went up to the counter to say goodbye and thanks but all waitresses were involved in some sort of kerfuffle and didn’t even look at me or say anything as I said my goodbye and thanks . Again very disappointing . This is a lovely venue and great food but sadly attention to detail was lacking and service should be better . Maybe everyone was having an ‘ off day ‘ but these days shouldn’t really be foisted on the customers . I would definitely return because of the quality of the food and the venue itself but the service needs an upgrade

09/09/2024: Back to Balreask for 2 nights over last weekend. This is the 4th time that we have set up camp here for our yearly Captains P&P outing. We are based in Dublin 15 so only a quick 30min trip up. Located on the doorstep of Navan town, you've plenty of options within easy reach. This place just does not disappoint. From arrival to departure, the staff are always on top of their game. Food was top drawer as always, along with the superb service provided by Enda and his crew. Rooms were spotlessly clean as always. Shout out to Nico, Guntar & the ever-lovely Ingrid who are a credit to the place. Keep up the great work and see you all in 52 weeks 👍

16/06/2024: I attended a family event where we had ordered platters from this restaurant. Unfortunately, the platters were very small compared to other restaurants in the same area, and they were cold upon arrival. The paying client felt overcharged, and I have to agree with that. Additionally, the platters were supposed to include goujons, chicken wings, onion rings, and spring rolls, but none of these items were served. To top it off, the manager was not polite at all. They should improve in customer service. Instead of a great family experience, we were left with a bad aftertaste. Overall, it was quite a disappointing experience.