Edmund O.
Yelp
Pseudo-posh with pretentious pricing.
Whether it is for weddings or for a family meal, I've yet to be impressed here.
First, the place is too bloody small for what they try to accomplish. The venue for weddings is too small, giving you a dance floor the size of a cattle stall. Sure, it's probably nice for photos, but as a guest - not so much.
The bar itself, for the wedding venue, is in the back. But the way they jam in the tables and squeeze in the dance floor - it's miserable fighting your way through to get a drink. I think it's quite over-rated as a wedding venue and I know it's not cheap. For instance, even in these troubled times where hotels are going into receivership, they don't fight for your business. They still charge for renting seat covers, they are not flexible with their meal prices, and they give in very little with their wedding package. I'm boggled that people still choose this as a venue, considering the other options nearby.
Second, the food is rubbish. It's absolute rubbish, yet quite dear in price considering what you are going to get is a notch below the worst carvery you ever had.
Third, the seating is terrible. The place is small, the tables are equally small. We had booked a reservation for 8 + 3 children. What did we get? A round table that barely could fit 6, and they squished us in. Why didn't they set up their rectangular tables next to each other? They weren't being used. The place was half empty. Yet, we got to be shoulder to shoulder as if we were fighting the front line.
I was unfortunate enough to be left out of a family decision as to where to celebrate with a dinner. For reasons absolutely lost on me, they picked Station House. Sure, they may as well of picked Trim Castle - it would of been closer and we would of been equally disappointed, but at least of saved a bit on petrol costs. There was a dinner special for 3 courses for 20 Euro.
My starter had a pre-packaged taste to it. It was smoked salmon, something I normally enjoy, but it was strangely warm and was served with no contrasting flavours. Considering they charged an extra premium for this starter, I was expecting something a bit more than just a couple slices of smoked salmon. I was underwhelmed.
My main was dreadful. A roast beef main, which also had an extra premium attached to it. In fact, why do places do this? Offer a 3 course set meal, with 3 or 4 options to choose from, with half of them involving an extra tariff? That is tacky and annoying.
The guest of honour and myself had the same main. It had a Yorkshire pudding, which was burnt. Gordon wouldn't of been impressed. The meat was rough and fatty. The mashed spuds were fine. I guess that was the best part of this meal...the spuds.
Then comes the dessert. A bloody medley. I hate it when places cop out and give you a medley, as if you're suppose to be happy with that. A tiny piece of several things.
This medley was two things of cheesecake (which I hate), 1 bit of mint ice cream (which I liked), and 1 pathetic attempt at a tiny piece of pavlova (which I normally like).
So what you are left with is 4 very tiny (and I do mean tiny) squares of an assorted dessert. Half of which I never would of ordered. I do not like cheesecake. I absolutely hate it.
Sure, you could trade it with family members who like it - "Oi, I'll give you my cheesecake for your icecream" - how bloody tacky. Why put anyone in this situation? Why couldn't there be options on dessert like there are with the starter and the main?
The answer to this, and all the other questions raised above, is simply that the Station House is a terrible place to visit.
There are much better selections in Meath, such as the Castle Arch (The Wellie), where the food is miles better, atmosphere much nicer, and price much more reasonable.