Caffrey’s of Batterstown – Restaurant Review

Caffrey’s

Caffreys of Batterstown

I had been to Caffrey’s three times before and each time I was a little less impressed than the last. I didn’t think much of it (due to the fact that one meal in particular that I had there was outstanding) and kept on at Stephen to accompany me to Caffrey’s if for nothing else than to try the fabulous Crab Claws. So we finally had an excuse last Friday night and decided to book a table and try it out. I thought he’d been there before but he assured me he hadn’t so I really hoped that this would not be one of those times that Caffrey’s went a little bit more downhill. I really want to love it every time I’m there.

It was very busy when we arrived which we didn’t mind as it’s usually the sign of a great buzzing restaurant, but a couple with a small child were seated practically on top of us and Stephen had to cope with her hopping all over the seats and knocking into him all night. It was very irritating as it was late enough in the evening and dining with a child was the last thing we’d have expected so we really had to watch our Ps & Qs. Service was excellent considering how busy it was. There was a piano player too tickling the ivories in the background which was a really nice touch and not too overbearing. The food, however, was a bit of a let down. I found myself unsure about the menu as I’d tried most of the things that had caught my eye before and was gravitating back to previous meals I’d tried and loved. It’s not a long menu which is usually a good thing.

I’d raved to himself about the crab claws which at €10.95 are expensive but anytime I’d gotten them before there was an abundance in the bowl (around 15 claws) but there were considerably less this time and they were a lot smaller than usual. I was so disappointed that he was disappointed. For starters I ordered the duck spring rolls with sweet chilli sauce which I’m normally wary of as they are usually tiny with very little filling, most of it being bean-sprouts. These were excellent though. Plenty of duck and quite a bit bigger than you’d normally get. And I was given two. Sometimes you order spring rolls and are given one with a plateful of salad. I ordered the seafood ragout not quite knowing what to expect. The food arrived quickly with enough time between courses to whisper between us (because of the child), digest and listen to the music. I was surprised at my food when it arrived. I’d say the ratio was 30% fish, 70% sauce. It was very heavy and at €25 disappointing when I ended up having to swap my meal with Stephen because I couldn’t eat that much cream. It was very cloying. The salmon fillet in the middle of the plate was nicely cooked but the squid rings were chewy. The dill in the sauce overpowered everything. Stephen got the stuffed chicken breast wrapped in parma ham, mash & mushrooms in red wine sauce. His whole meal was very salty and in truth we were both happy to swap. The glass of Pinot Grigio was also a high point of the meal. A very good americano and and an espresso finished off our meal.

In all very expensive for disappointing food. I think €25 for a main course in a pub/restaurant is a little difficult to stomach in this economic climate when the food doesn’t live up to the high price placed on it.
I’ve had more inexpensive but better quality meals in the country lately (even in the expensive City Centre and unfortunately, I won’t be rushing back to Caffrey’s. I’ll give them time to change their menu first!

Food: ***
Atmosphere: ***
Price: **
Returnability: ***

Excellent ***** Very Good **** Good *** Fair ** Poor*

Tags: Batterstown, Caffrey's, Chicken, Crab Claws, Duck Spring Rolls, restaurant, review, Seafood