The Oarsman — Restaurant in County Leitrim

Visited on a Wednesday evening while in the area. First impressions were really good but then didn't live up to expected standards.

Were told that normally they would bring out bread for the table but we couldn't have any as had run out. Fair enough...

Ordered fish and chips and was brought vinegar that was (unbeknownst to us) broken as didn't have the pouring stopper so vinegar soaked the entire meal. Waitress gave no apology for that just say 'oh did it ruin your meal'.

The cheese plate dessert should have included 3 local cheeses. We were given 2 cheeses, but one of them cut in two ways to look different but was clearly the same cheese. No one spoke to us to say they had run out or to give us the option to change the order. The attitude was that we wouldn't notice, which is rude/arrogant/disrespectful.

Our server dissappeared, we couldn't order any more drinks and no one came to check on us. In fact we had to go and find someone to be able to pay. Upon raising the issue about the cheese, the waitress just walked off and left us waiting without any information before the manager came out and did take accountability for the cheese issue and offered 10% discount. Honestly the dish should have just been removed from the bill but there we are.

Food was ok. The cod was nice, but tartare sauce too strong with citrus. Cheese plate poor, even a 3rd cheese wouldn't have improved it, the "crackers" were not pleasant or suitable.

The live music was pleasant.

Visit let down by service, felt we were dismissed as non locals so wouldn't recommend to...

I had reserved a table here for my husband and I three months previous to mark his birthday. We really enjoyed the homemade bread and butter initially. Yum. We shared a bottle of organic Malbec for the meal (Nuna €30). Very drinkable. For starters, I had the hot and sticky chicken wings at €9.50 & my husband opted for the scallops and fishcake at €11.95. The scallop dish was simply divine. For mains, I had the hake with sautéed potatoes in a rich creamy leek and chorizo sauce and my husband had the sous-vide John Stone rump steak at €28.95. Both delicious, memorable and very decent filling portions. After a decent breather which was requested, I had the chocolate mousse with brandy tuille and bailey's and chocolate snap and berries @ €8.50 and my husband had the pear and Almond tart with lemon and thyme ice-cream & creme anglaise @€8.50. Very happy with our choices but for me the lemon and thyme ice cream was a highlight. Overall, it was the best meal we have had out in a long time. Service was excellent: personable, unrushed yet responsive; staff a credit to the place. Atmosphere was fabulous and accentuated by live acoustic in the background, particularly enjoyed the Lewis Capaldi number. Would recommend in a heartbeat ❤️and hope to return soon. Keep up...

Went to the oarsman for a birthday dinner. I had a carrot and coriander soup, chicken supreme and an orange panacotta.

I found the soup to be a fairly simple vegetable soup, no frills attached, well seasoned and tasty, although somewhat lacklustre. The chicken supreme was good, the chicken was juicy and didn’t come swimming or smothered in sauce which was a nice change from a traditional supreme. The panacotta was somewhat of a letdown, what I was hoping would be bursting with flavour was somewhat bland and nondescript. Its presentation was also lacking, it may have been served better in a ramican or small bowl but it certainly needs an upgrade. The baked plumbs were actually the best part of the desert. The ice cream was also extremely good.

Service was great, friendly staff who know what they’re doing and are competent. On a side note, their bread is very nice with the selection of herb butter or normal butter. Very nicely executed.

The atmosphere was good too although I found the live music a little too loud at times, but the musician was exceptional and I actually couldn’t believe it was live because they played so fluently. Overall a good meal and...