Pat and Ann Marie Kiely are bringing their celebrated culinary expertise back to Bantry with the opening of Wild Garlic at Fadó on February 12. The award-winning husband-and-wife team, known for their fine dining restaurant, O’Connor’s in Bantry (until 2019) – a recommended listing in the reputed Michelin Guide for nine years in a row – and their more recent successful daytime venture ‘Wild Garlic’ in Dunmanway, are set to elevate the local dining scene with an expanded menu and a bar offering live music every Friday night.
The gastro bar concept will feature expertly crafted beef, pork, seafood and vegetarian dishes with smart casual plating. Guests can also look forward to a well-curated wine list and handcrafted cocktails.
“The menu at Wild Garlic at Fadó will retain the essence of what made it popular in Dunmanway but with a refined selection,” explains Pat.
Wild Garlic favourites that will feature include the beef burger with crumbled Ballyvourney black pudding, Cashel blue cheese and sriracha hot sauce; po-boy baguette using West Cork southern crumbed haddock; and Ann-Marie’s mouthwatering sausage rolls filled with blue cheese, Caherbeg pork and redcurrant jelly and wrapped in the lightest puff pastry. Almost all of the options on the menu can be made gluten-free.
The new evening service will feature high-quality steak, fresh seafood, and seasonal local produce. Everything is made to order. Ann Marie is currently fine-tuning the dinner menu and is eager to introduce exciting new dishes.
“We want to create a different menu and experience,” explains Pat. “Something that allows us to showcase all the things we’ve trained for but don’t always get to do with a breakfast and lunch menu.”
The new restaurant space promises an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere with soft lighting and sophisticated tones of green, grey, and silver. It’s an ideal spot for both romantic dinners and lively gatherings with friends.
Outdoor seating will be available in a charming beer garden at the back of the premises, and guests are welcome to enjoy the bar without dining.
Front-of-house operations will be led by Pat with the help of Courtney Burton, former manager at Cork’s Crane Lane, ensuring top-tier service. The restaurant has already been featured in the Georgina Campbell Guide for this year and is a finalist in multiple award categories, including Takeaway Restaurant of the Year and Best Restaurant in the Restaurant Association Guide Awards.
With a vision to create a dining destination reminiscent of their previous ventures, Wild Garlic at Fadó aims to draw visitors from near and far for an unforgettable evening of excellent food and a welcoming ambiance.
“We want this to be a place people will travel to for a fun and relaxed night out,” shares Pat.
The launch will feature a special Valentine’s menu with two- and three-course options, setting the stage for many more memorable dining experiences to come.
For reservations and updates, follow Wild Garlic on Instagram and Facebook, or visit www.wildgarlic.ie.
