On Halloween night I ventured forth into the night with a feeling of excitement in my stomach. This excitement was different to that of my early teenage years in that this had been aroused by the thoughts of visiting a new restaurant. Sometimes I feel that when yourself and your partner treat yourselves to a nice meal there has to be preparation. By way of preparation I tend to have a light lunch around 12:30 pm so by 8 o' clock I have my stomach ready to rumble (pardon the pun).

My fiancé and I were meeting friends in Tyrrells Restaurant for 8pm. The entrance to the house is a long driveway with fields on both sides with a couple of goats to be seen lazing about. Parking is available in front of the house, which is a four bay; three storey over basement house, built of roughly squared and coursed local limestone. Altogether very impressive, I wondered if the restaurant would live up to it's surrounding.

We had arrived before our friends so we had time to take in the surrounding and the menu. The restaurant is situated in magnificently restored outhouse with under floor heating which warms the feet and a log fire which gives a great feel and country smell to the place. Table setting are well spaced out allowing privacy of conversation and ease of service. Hanging on the wall there are painting which have a New Zealand theme reflecting the origins of our Maitre D' Nikki.

The menu had about eight or nine starters ranging in price from £3.50 for soup of the day which was Apple and Celeriac to £6.00 for the Oriental Rare Lamb with Bitter Sweet Chicory and Oriental Dressing, in between there was Fresh Black Pepper Ribbon Pasta, Italian Style Aubergine, Baked Flat Mushrooms and Twice Baked Potato flavoured with basil, feta Cheese, Courgette and Chilli Oil. Main courses consisted of the typical meat lover's fare, pork fillet, Chicken Breast, Duck, Lamb, Rib eye steak and fish of the day. The wine menu was leaning towards Australia and New Zealand reflecting the experiences of Nikki and our chef David Maloney. I did not choose the wine so unfortunately I cannot tell you the selection and price ranges, most were under the £20 mark. We had both red and white, the red being 1998 Jim Barry Cabernet Sauvignon that had strong blackberry flavours. While considering menus we were supplied with warm homemade bread and a jug full of iced water that was constantly filled by the quietly efficient waiting staff.

I decided to have the Fresh Black Ribbon Pasta to start and Duck to follow. Around the table there were three different starters and main courses to choose from, the great advantage about being in the company of friends is the opportunity to taste their selections and on occasion swap. My Pasta was home made served with oven-roasted tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, olives and pesto. This starter was delicious, the flavour just exploded in my mouth and lingered for me to savour. The word delicious was the adjective of choice for all of the starters that included the special of the day, Duck Liver Parfait.

I eagerly awaited my duck main course. When it arrived, and the service was excellent, it lived up to all expectation. The duck had been cooked two ways, confit leg and pan fried breast with and honey and dried cherry sauce. All red meat is served medium unless requested otherwise. My fiancé had the rib eye steak and our friends the Pork fillet and Chicken. What we all agreed is that we were in the hands of a very passionate and talented chef. The food was cooked to perfection and the flavours of the meat and accompanying sauces lingered on the pallet. All the main courses were served with potatoes and what a potatoes it was. The flesh had been scooped out and combined with crème fresh and spring onion to name but two of the ingredients. I can give this accompaniment no greater complement than to say if all vegetables were of this nature I would not pine for meat. We also ordered two side salads, our eyes being bigger than our stomachs.

To finish, and we were all well satisfied I had passion fruit cheesecake served with a kumquat sauce. The ladies had the special of homemade sponge with raspberries and custard. As in keeping with the whole meal the desserts were sublime. The meal was rounded of with espressos followed by brandy. The bill came to £167 pounds, of which about £105 was food. Great values when you consider all the elements of a good restaurant were there. Setting, food and service was all top notch.

Ballindoolin House and gardens may have won an award but from Wednesday to Saturday when the light fades and the beauty of the gardens is hidden a true gem of a restaurant is waiting to be discovered for all lovers of good food. I know I will be back and with game season here I expect the excitement in my stomach will be there when I next set out for Tyrrells.

Edenderry, Co. Offaly. Tel. 0405-32400