Thursday 26 May 2016

Chez Hans, Cashel, Co. Tipperary

Chez Hans is a simply beautiful looking restaurant, first established a stone's throw from the infamous "Rock", in the year 1968. The building is striking both inside and out as it is a renovated  Victorian Gothic church. The large stained glass windows add to the sense of sophistication throughout. There is also a great collection of eclectic artwork to be seen and admired on the walls. It held a Michelin star for a short time in the early eighties. Its style is European in influence and much of the produce is locally sourced. It is by no means cheap, but for a special occasion, or romantic dinner, this destination restaurant most certainly delivers. We have dined here on three occasions, most recently with two friends of ours. Chez Hans, just in the past few years, now has two sister establishments worth checking out - Café Hans, a delightful daytime café, just a minute up the road from Chez Hans, and Stef Hans, located in Thurles' Source Arts Centre.
The old church setting of Chez Hans

My starter of Ardsallagh goat's cheese with a beetroot salad was presented beautifully, was very tasty and just the right sized portion to whet my appetite for the main course to come.
Ardsallagh Goat's Cheese starter

Starter of melon and Gubbeen Chorzo
Unusually for me, I went for salmon for my main course, but it did not disappoint. It was a very substantial crusted darne of salmon, cooked to perfection...the little flakes of oh so tender salmon just flaking away as I placed my cutlery to it. It was served with linguine nero (and linguine happens to be my very favourite pasta variety!) and a lobster bisque. It was a very polished take on what can be a kind of average main. Scrummy!
Salmon Main Course
Dessert couldn't be overlooked either and I chose to share the dessert platter of five mini desserts with my friend. There was the chocolate "tree", which was quite luscious, a rice pudding with rhubarb, an iced nougat with sorbet and a couple of other little treats. I was not as impressed with their sweet options but their menu does tend to change and in past experiences at Chez Hans I have certainly been wowed by the sweet end of things. The lovely glass of Australian dessert wine also helped in finishing off the meal quite nicely indeed. And my husband and I also shared an excellent bottle of South African shiraz, priced at a reasonable €26, which went down a treat over starter and main.
Desserts Platter and Dessert Wine
Other dishes to note on the night were the lamb main course which both the men had and it received two whole-hearted thumbs up. The Dingle cod main also looked wonderful and was a really hearty fish dish. It was served with delicious mussels, which I was fortunate enough to sample.
Dingle Cod Main
Coming into the summer season, if you are Munster bound and want to make a stop, a day and night would be very well spent in Cashel. Begin by touring and admiring the splendorous Rock of Cashel, then sampling the delights of Café Hans for lunch, which I previously reviewed and love, love, love!...and top it off with a very special and memorable meal in Chez Hans. I have strong suspicions you will not be disappointed.
The stunning interior of Chez Hans Restaurant
Chez Hans, Moor Lane, Cashel, Co. Tipperary
Ph: 062 61177

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