Ate here recently with my partner for a special occasion. It was a Saturday evening so I expected the place to be busy with diners or even hotel guests but it was not. There may have been 2 other tables occupied in the place! As a result, the atmosphere was somewhat sombre and quiet with very low background music. The staff welcomed us and brought us to our seats. We went for the 3 course menu which had some good options. We both ordered the vegetable soup and breads for starter (melon, ceaser salad were other options). It arrived within 5 minutes! This was nicely creamed but a bit too salty to taste. For mains, again we both ordered the Grilled Entrecote Steak (well done). Again, this arrived fairly quickly! It was served with tiny bit of mash, lots of baby potatoes, 2 huge onion rings, usual mixed veg. (carrots, parsnips, brocolli) and a Café de Paris sauce! The main was really too much food for the plate and not enough high quality. The dish was relavtively tasty but nothing out of the ordinary. I have eaten nicer for less money. For dessert, we ordered the chocolate brownie and the white chocolate cheesecake. The portions were again much too big and we did not finish. Staff were friendly and accommodating but seemed to lack some basic hospitality knowledge.. for example our unused cutlery was not removed after each course and we had to ask for steak knives. Also, when I enquired what the sauce with the steak was like, the waitress did not know how to explain it so we asked for it on the side! One wine glass was stained with a previous users lipstick (the glass of wine each was not included in the set 3 course price which I found appaling)! A jug or glass of water would have been a nice touch! These small attention to detail issues, while not major problems, did add to my disappointment with the restaurant and its lack of atmosphere. As a result, I would not be inclined to return here given the broad variety of other restaurants in Carlow Town..