Ted. V.
Google
I’ve lived in Ireland for 8 months. We dine out frequently. In the time we’ve been here to be VERY blunt, St. Francis Provisions is a top three dining experience! Staff was attentive but not intrusive, we we seated in outdoor dining was on a small city square that was pretty much deserted as it was drizzling (we were seated under an awning, so stayed dry)… The flood was sublime. We had the Braised Chard with Raisins/Pine Nuts and Ajo Blanco, the Grilled radishes with Macroom Ricotta (the Ricotta was stunning), the Caherberg Bavette (skirt steak?) with “Green Sauce” and Smoked Potatoes with Aioli… The starters we more than big enough, was very surprised by the radishes as they were green/sweet and not peppery, at all. The Ajo Blanco with the chard was difficult to place in my culinary lexicon - I need to learn to make it! - The Bavette was perfectly cooked and the “Green Sauce was a Chimi-churri-esque riff with capers and mint… ALL of the above were plated well, tasted great and left us wishing we had more room to try ALL the other menu items… But the thing that got me THE MOST was Chef Rebecca’s take on potatoes. Look, this is Ireland…you can’t turn over a menu in upscale dining here without new and interesting riffs on potatoes. According to Jack, the Maitre’d, these were steamed, then smoked, then fried and served with a very thick and punchy garlic aioli.
Simply, they are the finest potatoes I have eaten since moving here….
In conclusion, St. Francis is a top three favorite dinner since we moved here. The place is small and cooks at a level that you might not expect with its simple setting and “quaint tourist town” vibe…
If you get the chance, eat there. You’ll kick yourself if you don’t.
So, all things Kinsale are easy to find, on the internet…the town is lovely, and reminds me of small New England seaport towns.