West Restaurant, Galway City

We were a party of 2 adults & 2 children. Wasn't sure about bringing the children aged 9 & 14 here but needn't have worried. The staff were very welcoming & most accommodating. The food was lovely - small portions but very tasty. The duck salad starter was tasty but with just a few tiny shreds of duck!!The duo of pork was fabulous-melt in the mouth meat with lovely vegetables to accompany. We had the 3 course taster menu which was good value. The waiting staff was just excellent without any of the pomp or pretentiousness often associated with a restaurant of this calibre. I will return!!

Went here with husband on strong recommendation of a work colleague, who likened it to the quality of the White Gables. Overall, we were quite disappointed and underwhelmed. On a positive note, the setting and ambience of the restaurant is very nice, very modern and we were given a large window table even though there were only the two of us. The menu was really promising and there were plenty options to choose from. The food, however, was disappointing and, for what we got, overpriced. I had the turf smoked duck with foie gras for starter, followed by hake on a polenta cake for main and selection of homemade ice-cream for dessert. husband had rabbit croquettes to start, the fillet steak for main and chocolate study for puds. I'd ordered the fish course, wary that the duck might be a heavy / large starter but I needn't have worried - it comprised 5 tiny slivers of duck with a thimble of foie gras in pastry on the side; whilst it tasted nice, at €8.50 I felt it was not good value. the fish was fine although the polenta cake was greasy and bland, even with some little shrimp through it. Hubby's rabbit cakes were tasty and the steak was fine, if on the small side (again, not good value at €27.50). Our veg comprised some nice seasonal vegs but, strangely, a soggy, overdone "potato gratin", which was a few layers of sliced potatoes dripping in oil with the top layer hard and dry, not the creamy, cheesy dish we expected. The chocolate dessert was fine, nothing special, and the homemade ice-cream was tasteless and crumbly. With wine (a NZ sav blanc €33.50, our first choice was not available), a black coffee and a monte cristo coffee, our bill came to €118 for two, which we felt was very overpriced for what we received. Add in tip and taxis in and out of Barna, it turned out to be an expensive but unfulfilling experience.

The west restaurant in the 12 hotel is a beautifully cosy and elegant restaurant. Professional and most importantly, friendly staff are on hand. When they saw me dining on my own I was brought newspapers and wine magazines to peruse. What a great touch which I have never been offered before in any restaurant. 12 out of 12! To start i had Mackerel with pickled fennel and horseraddish cream to start which was simple and delicious the inhouse bakery bread selection was excellent and fresh ( not heated up in a microwave unlike some restaurants) I opted for the braised beef special. Wow! probably the most tender piece of meat I've had. The chef must have cooked it for a week! I finished of my meal with the cheese board and a tasting trio of desert wines and port.What a great idea and delicious also. A gem of a restaurant with a delightful atmosphere, friendly and attentive service and fabulous food prepared and presented by an accomplished chef. I ll be back.