May Kelly's Cottage — Restaurant in Conway

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️(3.5)

Upon entering May Kelly's cottage, the first impression may seem a bit disappointing. The establishment appears to be in need of some refurbishment, and the condition of the floor could be improved. However, it's important to remember that sometimes appearances can be deceiving, and there may still be positive aspects to discover within.

The décor isn’t align with the stereotypical Irish theme that one might expect, but it's essential to appreciate the uniqueness and individuality that May Kelly's cottage brings to the table. Sometimes, stepping away from the traditional can lead to unexpected surprises and a fresh approach to ambiance.

Let’s get to the food.

Appetizer:

May's Potato Cakes at May Kelly's cottage are an absolute treat for the taste buds. These delectable cakes are crafted with a perfect blend of mashed potato, scallions, cheese, and bacon. The combination of these ingredients creates a symphony of flavors that is both comforting and indulgent.

One of the highlights of these potato cakes is the impeccable cooking technique. Lightly floured and fried to a golden perfection, they are then oven-baked to ensure a crispy exterior while maintaining a soft and creamy interior. This careful preparation truly elevates the dish to a whole new level.

The presentation of the potato cakes is equally impressive. Served over a bed of dressed baby spinach, they create a visually appealing dish that instantly whets the appetite. The creamy horseradish sauce adds a tangy and zesty element that perfectly complements the richness of the potato cakes.

Dinner:

Our experience at dinner left much to be desired, particularly in regards to the food we ordered. We opted for the Classic Grilled Reuben, a beloved sandwich that has the potential to be a flavorful delight. However, what arrived at our table was a disappointing rendition of this classic dish.

The first issue we encountered was with the corned beef. Instead of being tender and succulent, it was dry and lacking in flavor. The lack of moisture made each bite a struggle, and it was clear that the beef had not been prepared with care or attention to detail.

Furthermore, the sauerkraut was noticeably lacking in tanginess, a crucial element in balancing the richness of the sandwich. Its lackluster taste left the overall flavor profile of the Reuben feeling flat and uninspiring.

The cheese was perfectly melted, but the its portion size its portion size was also commendable. The sandwich was generously filled with ample layers of swish cheese, ensuring every bite had a delightful cheesiness that made the Reuben truly delightful.

As for the Russian dressing, it was barely noticeable. The lack of any discernible flavor from the dressing left the sandwich feeling dry and lacking the necessary moisture to enhance the other ingredients.

The side of steak fries did not fare any better. They were clearly overcooked and lacked the desired crispness. Instead, they were greasy and unappetizing, leaving a heavy and unpleasant aftertaste.

Overall:

While the potato cakes were truly exceptional, the underwhelming Reuben and fries left a lot to be desired. However, May Kelly's cottage has demonstrated their ability to create standout dishes with the potato cakes, and it is worth giving their other offerings a chance. With their evident culinary prowess, it is likely that May Kelly's cottage can improve upon the areas that...

Update: we visited again and our experience was infinitely better. It was far less crowded this time so maybe that helped. Service was still a tiny bit slow and our server disappeared a couple times but it was a vast improvement. The food was also better than last visit. I had the hot honey chicken sandwich and it was excellent. My cocktail was meh but that’s fine. Very happy with this visit.

I don’t get the hype at all. My husband and I went a while back and it was late, but still slamming busy. No problem at all. We hung around the bar waiting for a table and even managed to snag some chairs. Waited about 45 minutes before we for a table outside. It took our server 20 minutes to come over and that normally doesn’t bother us but when she finally did she was super unfriendly. We ordered drinks and an app which took another 25 minutes and by this time, the restaurant was not nearly as busy as it was about an hour until closing. When she finally came back we ordered our mains which yet again took about 30 minutes but we never saw our server again. Someone else brought the plates and at this point we were the only ones on the patio and the restaurant was nearly empty. No one ever came back out, not even to bring our bill. The food was mediocre at best. Potato cakes were fine, I guess. The Shepherd’s pie was bleh. Really it was the service. One of the few times where, if I were a different kind of person, I would have given up and left without paying. We had to hunt our bill down by going to the bar and asking to help while the bartender was cleaning up. Even he seemed annoyed with the bother but that’s how we felt. Maybe I’d try once more because there’s not a huge list of options in North Conway, but I’d be...

Dined her twice - last night the food, service and atmosphere was exceptional. One of the best places we’ve dined at in 2 years living in the US. Our waiter was one of the barmen (forgot his name - one with a black beard) - very accommodating to the whole family inc the kids. Super friendly. Food was lovely and nice to have some home comforts from our home nation. I’m also pregnant and he was able to make a lovely mocktail. Liked it so much we came back today. What a change. The woman who served us was so miserable - don’t know her name as she didn’t introduce herself but black hair. Mentioned the mocktail but she wanted us to list the ingredients and we attempted to (wasn’t hard to recall) but it seemed like too much effort for her so we said if easier I’d have water and that seemed to suit her better. She was the only staff member without a smile which is ok but there was definite attitude too and not responsive to any friendliness. Service extremely slow - she eventually had someone else bring the card back - they were nice and said sorry she got held up but already waited a long time at this point so feel it was deliberate (not busy at all that time of day). I left a small tip - which I feel was generous considering but after I got to the car to join the rest of my family my husband said that she’d been rude when my 4 year old son gave her the card to run the cheque (he likes to do this)- she was serving another table at the time and my husband said to him to wait but he kind of rushed over with it and my husband apologised to her and them but it didn’t warrant the attitude. We’d still be back - food was great, place is great, and this is literally the only person that...