Food Review: Steak Night at The Bistro provides a perfect evening of luxury dining for the entire family to enjoy this Summer with fantastic views of Kilkea Castle

By Kim O'Leary

The stunning Kilkea Castle in Castledermot is arguably one of the most magnificent attractions in Co Kildare, and in recent times the newly renovated Clubhouse resort on the castle grounds has added to its prestige with award-winning dining and a lovely atmosphere for relaxation to enthral the entire family.

With a history dating back to 1180, Kilkea Castle captures the mystical charm of a 12th Century majestic Castle with the overwhelming allure of timeless sophistication and style. After a major renovation that redefines luxury, Kilkea Castle is Family owned and managed by the Cashman family, with the Clubhouse having recently undergone extensive re-modelling and it offers the choice of The Bistro or Hermione’s Restaurant.

Upon entering The Bistro, myself and my companion (my mam because all mammies deserve to be treated!) were warmly greeted by the management staff at The Bistro, and they quickly and graciously led us towards our seats in a wonderful little enclave with golf pictures on the walls. The Bistro provides an informal dining experience perfect for returning Golfers and guests who enjoy a great selection, and it also makes for a very friendly environment for young families.

When we popped in there was a good number of people already dining in the expansive Bistro and bar, many of them watching the Golf or Punchestown, making for a very relaxed and cheerful atmosphere overall.

Steak Night at The Bistro

Last Thursday when we popped in also marked the new Steak Night Special at The Bistro which occurs every Thursday night with the main form of meat on offer being you guessed it steak! The lovely waiter brought us over The Bistro’s menu as well as the specials for the day. For the Starter, we both decided to order the Soup de Jour, a €5.00 home-made special from the chef, and when it arrived we were not disappointed.

The Soup de Jour consisted of several ingredients including carrots, parsnip, chicken, and seeds to give a delightfully vibrant colour, and when paired with the fresh wheat brown bread it resulted in a scrumptious combo. Needless to say, there was nothing left of the soup and when I checked with the mammy, she agreed that it was exquisite.

Next up was the Main course, and I chose to select the pasta of the day Pasta Penne for €13.50 and my mother chose the Striploin Stirfry for €14. The Pasta Penne consisted of pasta quills, a parmesan cheese topping, red onion, peppers, diced steak, and fresh green spinach with great thought and consideration given to its presentation, enough to make the mouth water.

Meanwhile, my mother opted for the Striploin Stirfry (€14) with diced striploin steak stir-fried with julienne vegetables, noodles and chili, soya & lima dressing. We also opted for a side of homemade chips (€3.50) which were crispy and very tasty, made from local produce to a high standard.

My main course was delicious, and in my mind it was the equivalent of a quick trip to Italy with the pasta and sauce being true to its Italian origins and the vegetables were well-cooked to give a great sense of flavour, and my mother heartily enjoyed the chili and the noodles combination in particular.

However, we were both quickly filling up and wondering how on Earth we would manage a dessert. But when we scanned the Desserts menu, our eyes quickly lit up as we made our choice: the Rich Chocolate Brownie (€6.50) complete with hot chocolate sauce, raspberry coulis, and a generous scoop of salted caramel ice-cream. We were both in chocolate heaven.

As we sat back for drinks after our meal, we really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of The Bistro as well as the exquisite dining, and visually all of the courses looked fantastic and well-presented.

The Cashman family with the help of their fantastic staff and also a special mention to The Bistro’s General Manager Aidan O'Sullivan who run a great establishment, renowned for wholesome, home cooked food which includes a varied menu offering the best of Irish dishes and popular European food along with steaks, breakfasts, desserts and daily specials.

Ultimately, I would highly recommend The Bistro for couples and young families looking for excellent dishes and quality time as it is the perfect venue offering delicious, high quality meals and a top-notch service from its dilligent staff with breath-taking views of Kilkea Castle.

The Bistro Opening Hours

Monday – Thursday: 8am – 9pm Friday & Saturday: 9am – 11.30pm Sunday: 9am - 9pm

Serving Times

Monday – Friday: Continental Breakfast: 8am – 11.30am Lunch: 12pm – 5pm Dinner: 5pm – 9pm

Saturday – Sunday: Continental & Full Irish Breakfast: 9am –11.30am Lunch: 12pm – 5pm Dinner: 5pm – 9pm

Enjoy Steak Night every Thursday at The Bistro. Please Contact The Clubhouse for Menu details

Call: +353 59 9145600 Email: [email protected]