The Left Bank Bistro — Restaurant in County Westmeath

Top-notch nosh in a quaint setting. The food was superb and enticingly presented on the plate. My brie open-faced sandwich had a homemade chutney to die for. The coconut and squash soup was thick, wholesome and flavourful. The wine was a generous pour, and the cappuccino frothy with a dash of cocoa on top. My partner’s ham dish was also generous and the meat tasty and juicy. There were a few choices for vegetarians, and they will certainly leave full and happy. The only downside was the server. She was distracted, unsmiling, and not in the mood to go into much detail about the menu or to help us read the faraway (and difficult to read) blackboard specials, or to offer even a welcoming smile. Because this is such a quaint small-town place with a homely feel and a spot in the Michelin guide, I’m going to assume this was an off day for her, and she’ll soon provide the friendliness and helpfulness that this kind of establishment requires. Let your customers in on the specials rather than directing them to the faintly written words on a board at the other side of the restaurant. Offer a smile and a welcome. You’ve got a great place with good food; be happy about that and make your customers carry that image rather than the aftertaste of a disgruntled worker who doesn’t want to be there at all. Your food is great -...

Fairly good food though definitely nothing exceptional on the Early Bird menu, though desserts, Banoffi and Mississippi Mud Pie were very good. The Sea trout fish cakes starter is absolutely miniscule and consists of two marble-sized balls, one lettuce leaf and one 0.5 by 3 cm slice of beetroot. The response of the proprietor when mentioned was merely, " Yes, it's very small, isn't it!" Deep fried brie was nice, but pretty ordinary, but the burger on the main course was tasty. The tandoori chicken was not authentic in any way, never having seen the inside of a tandoor oven and with a strange flavour, quite unlike any tandoori I've ever had before. Nevertheless, the portion was large and accompanied by a nice salad, which made up for the very small starter. Overall €28 per person, is quite expensive for a burger and chips and a non-authentic tandoori on an early-bird menu One is left, as is the case with many modern Irish restaurants nowadays, feeling that one has somehow had one's...

First time at Left Bank Bistro. Had lunch here with the family. On the booking I had indicated we were celebrating a birthday but there was no effort made about that. We asked about gluten free options. One waitress told us spring rolls were gluten free but then when ordering another waiter said they were not and actually provided us with the allergen menu. The only gluten free starter was a salad. I was let down by the lack of coeliac friendly dishes on the menu. The restaurant gets quite loud when busy. There are no soft furnishings to absorb the sound, which I'd recommend adding cushions to chairs. We asked if one of the waiters could take a photo of the group and we felt very much like they couldn't get us out the door fast enough. Definitely lacking the personable and welcoming touch I'd expect from any restaurant. I'm unlikely to return soon due to...