Business First Issue2 Vol5 CH10:Layout 1 23/10/2009 14:54 Page 64
Register to win two tickets to New York with businessfirstonline
and Continental Airlines. See details on page 63
Restaurant review
Pier 36 – more than just a
fish restaurant
Gavin Walker visits the restaurant winning all the awards on Donaghadee's waterfront
O
pened in 1999 by Dennis and Margaret catered for with choices that include grilled
Waterworth, Pier 36 soon became goats cheese with red onion marmalade,
recognised as one of Ireland's leading garlic crouton and balsamic tomatoes, or
fish restaurants. Now revamped and with sons perhaps you would prefer orange, kiwi and
Jody and Lewis on the management team, lychee's on spinach leaves with light whole
Pier 36 has a lot more to offer than just grain mustard and honey dressing.
outstanding fish dishes. Our own choices stayed with the fish as
Pier 36 is no stranger to awards with the Margaret chose the Lough Cuan oysters and I
trophy for Taste of Northern Ireland only the enjoyed a sizable portion of mussels. Both
most recent to require regular shining in the were outstanding and I had the opportunity
cabinet. Previous accolades have included to show-off my continental credentials by
Seafood Pub of the year, BBC Olive magazine’s removing the mussels with an already empty
Ireland’s Top Gastropub, one of The shell. It's a lot more efficient than trying to dig
Guardian’s Top Six fish restaurants in the the rascals out with a fork.
United Kingdom, recognised Taste of Ulster The main courses were equally as varied.
and twice Northern Ireland Pub of The Year Fish is the manstay of course, but meat and
2004 and 2006. poultry lovers will feel equally well catered for
So it was with high expectations that we with a selection that includes pork, chicken
made our way down the coast to enjoy an and some great steaks. And for those who
evening of great food and craic. really love their meat, the 32 ounce T-bone
Set on the harbour in Donaghadee, Pier 36 steak has got to be worth the trip on its own.
has a fairly unassuming exterior but opens My grilled sea bream and seared scallops
into a warm and inviting pub decorated with served with crisp capers, wilted greens, baby
antique lanterns, seafaring maps and exposed potatoes and lemon butter melted into
beams to create a suitably nautical perfection while Margaret's slow roasted ham
atmosphere. Here families sit comfortably shank was crisp on the outside and fell off the
alongside couples and larger groups so the bone.
appeal is to a wide cross-section of guests. Enormous ice-cream sundaes and coffee
Watching as the Waterworth family worked complemented what was a great meal in a
the room, it was obvious that many of the warm atmosphere served by friendly staff.
diners were regular visitors to the restaurant And of course no visit to Donaghadee
and were treated as friends rather than just would be complete without a walk round the
customers. lighthouse (top tip: you need to walk around
I'm always suspicious of menus the length it clockwise if you want your dreams to come
of Donaghadee harbour not believing that true.)
any kitchen could possibly guarantee the That's Pier 36: a great fish restaurant and a
freshness of their product. So it was great to whole lot more. So next time you're down by
be choosing from a relatively short but well the harbour in Donaghadee, be sure to drop
balanced menu as we settled into our in!
evening.
The choices of starters reflected the fish bias
of the restaurant with crab claws, smoked
For more information on the menu
mackerel and mussels well represented. But if
selections and Pier 36's bed and breakfast
fish isn't your first choice you will also be well
offering, visit the website at www.pier36.co.uk
64
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84