A feast for the senses at Eala Bhan

 

If you read the blog regularly you’ll know how much I love Afternoon Tea – I’m thinking it could be my favourite hobby (if eating is a hobby). So I was thrilled to be invited along to Eala Bhan in Sligo for their Afternoon Tea.

Yesterday myself and Lucy put on our glad rags and strolled down across the beautiful bridge of flowers into the stylish Eala Bhan Restaurant. We were welcomed by Anthony, the owner, and shown to the Seamus Heaney table overlooking the river.

Eala Bhan means White Swan in Irish, it’s a very appropriate name as we watched the white swans glide by. The restaurant features  quotes by the famous poet W. B. Yeats and is a wonderful spot for lunch or dinner. We were given a glass of Prosecco to begin which was the perfect start to a special afternoon.

Now this Afternoon Tea isn’t just any afternoon tea (think of me saying this in a Marks and Spencer type voice). This is Afternoon Tea Sligo Style. It’s a feast for the senses and has to be experienced to be believed.

We were given a three-tier of sandwiches each! Yes each! They consisted of delicate open sandwiches and bagels and were all different flavours and just so very different. All the ingredients are sourced locally including smoked ham from Cosgrove’s Delicatessen and beef from Sherlock’s in Tubbercurry which is dry aged in Eala Bhan. There was smoked salmon with cream cheese, chicken mixed with stuffing, sun-dried tomato pesto and egg mayonnaise – all topped with the most beautiful edible flowers from the local farmer’s market. I also really liked the goats cheese, covered in crushed pistachios. Lucy is vegetarian so she will tell you all about her savoury treats on her blog.

Now on to the desserts – and if we thought the savoury selection was fabulous this was just amazing. When we finished saying wow and taking photos we contemplated which to each first. Eala Bhan teams up with Le Fournil for the sweet treats and together you have a winning combination.

The scones, with jam and cream, are from Eala Bhan, the delicate macarons, mini profiteroles and chocolates are from Le Fournil. It was all fabulous – the mini profiteroles had a salted caramel filling that melted in the mouth. The macarons were all different flavours, my favourite being the lemon one. I have to give a very special mention to the chocolate mousse, which is made in Eala Bhan, it was just so delicious, if I could have eaten the dish I would have.

We relaxed for over two hours, enjoying the wonderful food and we both had a really lovely afternoon. It’s very easy to see why both Eala Bhan and Le Fournil are award-winners. Head Chef Marcin was recently named ‘Yes Chef’s Rising Star 2017′ which is very well deserved.

If you are looking for something extra special Afternoon Tea in Eala Bhan is a must, you won’t be disappointed. Thank you so much to Anthony for inviting us along for such a lovely treat. You can find out more information about how to book here.