OPENING HOURS: Thu and Fri: 4pm - 10pm; Sat and Sun: 1pm - 10pm
Despite only opening a few months ago, The Grill Shack @ Roche's (The Sinking Pub) in Donadea has firmly established itself on the culinary map of Co Kildare.
A big achievement this month was winning the recent Best Newcomer in Kildare at the Leinster Regional Final of the Irish Restaurant Awards.
The self-styled restaurant, which has an atmospheric open kitchen with Chef Aidan Kelly in charge, has been receiving rave reviews on places like Trip Advisor.
The Grill Shack is known for its modern dining experience using fresh, local ingredients.
The Grill Shack is serious about its food but serves customers in a refreshingly laid back environment with an easy going vibe.
The building is made of reclaimed wood and glass and even has a couple of real trees growing from floor to ceiling to act as natural pillars.
The premises is located at the rear of the iconic Roche's of Donadea - the already famous Sinking Pub - which is under new management and is familiar to locals and tourists for many years for the charm of its lopsided floors and a tilting bar counter.
The Grill Shack's Thursday to Sunday trade is drawing lots of customers in from nearby areas like Allenwood, Prosperous, Coill Dubh, Clane and Sallins.
The big attraction of The Grill Shack for many is the Steak On A Stone whereby you can cook your own steak on a hot stone heated in a special oven to a temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
You simply cut off slices of the meat and allow it to be seared and cooked to your own liking on the sizzling surface.
It leads to a much fresher and more succulent taste on your palate.
This signature dish comes with Homemade Fries and dips of Garlic Butter, Onions and Peppercorn Sauce.
On Steak Night on Thursdays, customers can buy a 10 oz Rib Eye Fillet Steak for only €17.90.
The Fillet, Rib Eye and Rump steaks are supplied by Doyles of Rathcoole on the Kildare border.
Starter
For the purpose of this Restaurant Review, I chose the Cream of Celeriac Soup, which really warmed me up as it was a chilly evening outside when I visited.
The Soup was fresh and delicately flavoured with celery, garlic, leek and thyme.
My dining companion chose the Crispy Chicken Wings which came with homemade BBQ sauce.
Main Course
I couldn't wait to try the Steak On The Stone and the 8 oz Irish Rump Steak was one of the Specials for the day.
The meat was very tasty and remained fresh and full of flavour as you cooked it on the hot stone.
My companion chose the Skillet of Salmon white wine sauce and smoked bacon cream with tiger prawns and mussels.
The Salmon is supplied by Atlantis Seafoods all the way from Wexford in the sunny south east.
Another Option on the Specials menu was the delicious-sounding Home-Smoked Chicken and Chorizo Penne Pasta in Parmesan Sauce.
Desserts
Desserts on the Menu include Chocolate Brownie & Honeycomb Sundae, Eton Mess and Choc Chip Cookie & Ice Cream.
Kids
Kids eat free every Saturday from 1pm to 5pm. (You get a Free Kids Meal with every Adult Meal).
Dishes include Kids Carbonara, Irish Beef Burger, Chicken Goujons, Fish & Chips and Sausages.
And if you finish your meal, you get Free Ice Cream!
It's the perfect stop-off after a family visit to nearby Donadea Forest Park or Wallaby Woods.
Or an ideal day-out for St Patrick's weekend, Mother's Day, Easter holidays or any weekend!
Outdoor Dining
The Grill Shack has big plans for the summer months when it will throw open its terrace doors and serve customers on picnic tables in its courtyard.
Shuttle Bus
Customers can avail of a Shuttle Bus to pick them up or drop them home within a local radius.
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