For many years I have heard nothing but positive stories about the Long Dock in Carrigaholt Co Clare. We had a summer home in the nearby seaside resort of Kilkee for many years and I suppose like a lot of local amenities, these are the ones we are less likely to visit and such is the case with the Long Dock. Yesterday been such a beautiful sunny day a friend and I decided to go for a drive and with no where in particular in mind we decided that the first port of call would be a furniture shop in Ennis Co Clare which an other friend had advised us was entirely our style and taste. After visiting said furniture shop it was time for lunch and as I had not visited Kilkee in many years we decided that with the weather on our side a better day for the seaside was a long way off.
We landed in Kilkee in what turned out to be an even better sunny afternoon so a long walk was in order so that our lungs may enjoy the freshness of the salt air. Now as anyone who knows Kilkee a short walk can take as long as the amount of people you meet along the way and as my friend and I are well know between us we met quite a few. Having escaped the clutches of our nearest and dearest we concluded that the Gold Club was our next port of call as we had heard that the fare on offer was above and beyond the realms of belief. Off we popped like two excited school children about to get their summer holidays when low and behold once we reached our destination we discover that they had finished serving food. Alarms bells went off as we had not seen any other place open but my friend quickly jumped in and said The Long Dock.
Off we popped again om out merry way and shortly there after arrived in Carrigaholt and our final destination we hoped.
Now the Long Dock is reminiscent to some degree of Pubs of a bygone era with low ceilings and the smell of bog turf burning hypnotically in the fire place.
We duly took our seats at a table by the fire and optically devoured the menu to see want award dishes we could choose from. Instantly we both decided on the Fish pie as this is always a wholesome treat from any good food provider, or so we thought.
When the pie arrived it looked absolutely delicious with a perfectly crusted golden layer of mash potatoes, the type that wants to make you just dig in and forget all sorts of childhood table manners. However out glee was short lived as when we dived into out golden treasure chest the treasure was scarce and seldom found. The use of leek as an extender was over powering and the fish was far and few between, this can be so so disappointing when the exceptions are way high. While what we had was tasty it did not do justice to the concept of a Fish Pie and we were left very disappointed. While I would be reluctant to revisit my friend said that she would give it another go.
I suppose like most things in life if you ” Wanna Know You Gotta Go “
Mikes Foodie 