THE River Bistro, by the Abbey River at George’s Quay, is one of Limerick’s newest restaurants. “In the city but apart from” is how proprietor Diarmuid O’Callaghan describes the location, and it’s only one of the attractive features special to River Bistro.
He was head chef at Market Square Brasserie for years and also at The Green Onion Restaurant, two places that have iconic status in the Mid West for food and atmosphere. Last October, he and his wife Carmel spotted the opportunity to launch the restaurant of their dreams at George’s Quay and it’s now in business for four months.
“The River Bistro is a lovely size as a 45 seater, not too big and not too small,” Diarmuid points out. “We are getting enquiries for weddings and private parties too, being available for block-booking for any night and providing tailor-made menus when required. I’m always in the kitchen and Carmel runs front-of-house, so our customers are always assured of our presence, our input and the service they expect”. The River Bistro changed its menu in January and will again in April, tuning in with seasonal produce and surprising clientele with new dishes. An evening restaurant, it serves Tuesday to Saturday, 6pm until late.
“We have a nightly fish special, an a la carte menu and have introduced a nightly table d’hote menu of four courses plus a glass of wine, for just 35euro. Our a la carte has dishes such as Prawn Risotto, which is a firm favourite with diners, Rib-Eye steak with chunky house chips is something else for which we are known, and starters such as creamy wild mushrooms with brioche and chicken livers”.
Think savoury, succulent foods created with Irish indigenous produce and inventively served.
“There’s also a return to more old fashioned food and cheaper cuts, which take a lot more work in the kitchen so they are not cheaper for us to offer. But they’re gorgeous,” Diarmuid adds.
Drop by for an a la carte dish or for the Special Menu, derived solely from The River Bistro’s a la carte, for 35euro plus wine. Or select from the list of 20 whites, 20 reds with Carmel O’Callaghan’s help. Tel. 061-400990 to book and there is free parking at Limerick Courthouse.
