Hartes Bar & Grill, Kildare Town

Recently we took the train from Dublin down to Kildare to visit the outlets for some pre-holiday shopping. After only one painful hour all we managed between us was a couple of tee shirts and a vow never to return again. What kept me going through the whole ordeal was the knowledge that Hartes Bar & Grill awaited us when we returned to the town center. 

Hartes is proof that social media can get bums on seats. I've been following their head chef Barry Liscombe for some time now on Instagram and his pictures stand out quite strongly, they feature perfectly plated, beautiful, seasonal produce that would make the mouth water just looking at them. 

Lovely light interior in the restaurant. 

After we arrived I got the impression that nothing would be too much for the staff here, they dealt with my request to move to a lighter part of the restaurant with ease and I also witnessed their flawless professionalism at work as they waited on some of the more pickier diners that were in that day! 

I love the quirky designs!

We were after some comfort food to dull the memories of the materialistic hell we felt we'd just been put through so M went for his favorite of fillet steak and I decided on the old reliable of fish and chips. 

Fillet steak hidden under an onion ring, tomato, mushroom with chips and whiskey peppercorn sauce.

I've often wrongly considered it a bonus when steak arrives cooked exactly as requested, there really is no excuse for getting it wrong, but Hartes certainly didn't disappoint and the accompanying onion ring, chips and pepper sauce were all just as perfect. 

Fish and chips with mushy peas and tartare sauce.

My main course was as well presented as the humble fish and chips can be! Juicy strips of fish were concealed in Carrig beer batter and, in a nice touch, topped with sea salt crystals. The batter coating was crispy and dry to the touch, no soggy bottoms here! I loved the little pot of mushy peas and the homemade tartare was delicious and punchy. 
I'm disappointed we didn't have room for dessert especially as I'm told via social media that it's absolutely fabulous. I have a good reason to return I guess! 

St Brigid's Round Tower and Cathedral.

I regret taking so long to head down to Hartes, it really deserves a trip all to itself! When visiting I recommend checking out the nearby St Brigid's Cathedral and Round Tower which are just around the corner from Hartes but give Kildare Village a wide berth! 
Hartes Bar & GrillMarket Square Kildare TownCo KildareWebsite 045 532 842