ManicMammy’s Blog

Stunning views, friendly, efficient service, relaxed atmosphere and delicious food make this restaurant one we will be back to again and again.

Last Saturday, after enjoying a fine day’s sunshine and leaving the kids in Auntie Fiona’s excellent care, we decided to head out for food to the Pink Elephant. We had heard great things about it and were really looking forward to eating there.

Its located on the Kilbrittain to Timoleague road, approximately 9km from Bandon, but its worth the drive just for the views alone when you get there. It’s perched on top of a hill, overlooking the bay. The restaurant makes the most of its location, with picnic tables and benches on a large lawn out front, and large windows to admire the view from whilst you’re eating inside.

Once we arrived we were seated in the front lounge, a drink offered and the blackboard menu was brought to us to peruse. There isn’t a printed menu as the dishes offered depend on the ingredients available and chosen from day to day. The day’s choice of approximately 6 or 7 starters and mains were displayed. Its the first time in ages that there were 3 or 4 of each that I would liked to have tried, all sounded very appetising. A good choice of fish, duckling, vegetarian and meat dishes.

The restaurant was buzzing, plenty of people seated inside and a good number outside enjoying a drink in the warm evening. It’s ideal for families and there were toddlers, babies and older children there that evening.

I eventually went for the warm goat’s cheese salad with red onion tart. It was really tasty. The goat’s cheese melted slightly sitting on the caramelised onion tart, crispy salad leaves, walnuts and dressing. Conor opted for smoked salmon with caperberries, horseradish cream and dressed salad leaves. He loved it. This was good ingredients speaking for themselves, not overly fussy, but really well presented and tasting great.  

For mains, we both went for fish. I ate a salmon and monkfish gratin. This had bitesize chunks of the fish in a creamy sauce. Very filling and again lipsmackingly good.

Conor opted for lemon sole on the bone. He loved it. Garlic potatoes were brought as an accompaniment as were the only very minor downside to the meal: a dish with a broccolli, carrot batons and red cabbage. The carrots were undercooked and to be honest I didn’t bother with the other veg as I’m not a fan of either.

The dessert menu looked fab and I was sorely tempted to try the sticky toffee pudding or the pavlova but was too full so left them for another visit. Conor ate a lemon meringue with a latte.

A fine 2004 Bordeaux Entre Deux Mers went down very well and we finished our glasses relaxing outside, admiring the views.

We’d a great night, the food and atmosphere wonderful. The total cost was around €100. We’ll definitely be returning and look forward to doing Sunday lunch there soon en famille.

Rated 4/5 on Sep 10 2007 by ManicMammy
Review Tags: cork, courtmacsherry, eating out, fish, food, fresh, irish, local, restaurant, seafood, west cork
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