Scholars Townhouse Hotel & Restaurant is located on King Street, Drogheda. A former residence for Christian Brothers who taught in local schools, this beautiful, late Victorian building was renovated by the McGowan Family in 2005. Indeed, it is one of the few independently owned hotels in the area. Scholars Townhouse Hotel was the Leinster Winner for Best Hotel Restaurant at the Irish Restaurant Awards 2014.
The attention to detail by the Front of House staff is second to none. Effortless, polite, and friendly service staff make any evening out one to be savoured and remembered.
Executive Head Chef Michael Hunter and his team, has created a deliciously different menu, (influenced by Chef Michael’s travels in Thailand).
The following is an overview of what we ordered from the À la Carte menu during our recent visit.
Amuse Bouche – (Sharing plate for our table) -Thai-style Chicken Wings with Peanut Brittle Satay Sauce.
This dish does contain a small amount of chilli, which was just within my tolerance level!
Starter – (Special) – Duck & Pumpkin Spring Roll, Charred Chinese Cabbage, Pickled Daikon, Ginger Molasses
There was some chilli in the Spring roll, but not a problem, and easily picked out.
Starter – Dunany Crab & Boston Prawn Bhaji –
Spiced prawn bhaji, seasoned crab, pineapple carpaccio, tamarind
chutney & Indian pesto.
Palate Cleanser – Bucks Fizz Sorbet, Popping Candy, and Champagne Foam
Main – Wild Mushroom Risotto, Roast Beetroot, Pumpkin, and finished with Crème Fraîche
Main – Halibut, Roast Parsnips, Butterbeans, Butterbean Purée, Sprout and Waterchesnut chiffonade, and Modena Balsamic
Main – Rump of Kerry Lamb, Braised Shoulder, Roast Garlic Purée, Rosemary Potato Fondant, Tenderstem Brocolli, Mint Jelly Cubes, and Red Wine Jus
Dessert – Praline Soufflé, Spiced Pumpkin Ice Cream, Toasted Hazelnuts and Chocolate
This dessert is cooked to order, and takes 15 minutes. The staff will inform you of this. Very much worth the wait, in my opinion.
White Chocolate & Noilly Pratt Panna Cotta, Chocolate Chai Tea Sorbet, Orange Caramel, and Chocolate Sauce
Our wine of choice was a Spanish Albariño – Genio y Figura 2013, Rias Baixas, NW Spain. For any wine purists out there, it’s like art, you just know what you like. As a mainly Sauvignon Blanc lover, (new world, preferably), I am trying new grape varieties and countries. I was too stuck in my ways, but not any more!
The restaurant was full as we left, which is a testament to the wonderful food and hospitality offered. Scholars Townhouse Hotel is now a firm favourite of ours, yes, even after two visits, and you should make it a destination to visit if you are in Drogheda, with the bonus of staying over too.
Sincere thanks, once again, to Eugene, Mark, Michael and all the staff, for a great evening of fine food, and wine.
Review By Colette Cunningham