The Pier Cafe

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Tramore has long been one of Ireland’s favourite holiday destinations. Known for its wonderful beach and, of course, its famous amusements which delight all of the family. However, in the past couple of years, it’s become a destination also for good food with a variety of great shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars, spotting the opportunity and really raising the level.

At the forefront of these is The Pier Cafe Restaurant owned and run by top chef Malcolm Starmer and Manager Sara Walsh. Starmer was described by Richard Corrigan as a “phenomenal chef” who played a big part in the success of his former Michelin-starred restaurant Lindsay House in London.

I’ve had Starmer’s food many times when he was working at top restaurants in Dublin, and you can be assured that anything that comes from his stove is top notch.

The menu changes seasonally but think of starting maybe with superb stuffed baby squid filled with feta & chorizo served with Romesco sauce, or indeed a classy classic chicken liver pate with roasted grapes, cornichons and toasted brioche.

Crispy duck legs are served with a ragu of roasted root vegetables, lentils, aged balsamic and rosemary, while pan fried polenta gnocchi is with chestnut mushrooms, butternut squash, rocket & pesto. There’s a 9-oz sirloin to keep any carnivore happy, served with buttermilk fried onions, watercress salad, meadow mushrooms & chips, with your choice of bearnaise, garlic butter, or pepper sauce. Pasta is very popular so there’s a cracking prawn spaghetti with cherry tomatoes, confit onions, pesto, rocket & Parmesan. And, of course, we are by the sea, so there’s always fresh fish of the day specials available.

In summer think maybe of the addition of mouthwatering lobster burgers, or maybe soft shell crab or monkfish or prawn scampi with fries, tartare sauce & sriracha. Whatever you have it will always be interesting.

The sweet finish is up there as well, with bread & butter pudding having gingerbread custard; mango & passionfruit cheesecake with cream; chocolate mousse cake with caramel sauce & cinnamon cream, or one of my favourites, plum and apple crumble, is divine.