Business

Balloo Inns unveils new restaurant annexe in £200,000 investment

Balloo owner Ronan Sweeney with chef Danni Barry
Balloo owner Ronan Sweeney with chef Danni Barry Balloo owner Ronan Sweeney with chef Danni Barry

GASTRO-pub group Balloo Inns has opened the doors to the highly anticipated new Overwood restaurant in Killinchy in a six-figure investment

Sitting above the renowned Balloo House, the first-floor annexe of this unique heritage premises has undergone a complete refit, with a £200,000 redevelopment boasting a sophisticated but relaxed atmosphere.

The new interior and exterior design incorporates traditional dark wood finishes, exposed stone walls and a new covered outdoor cocktail terrace with a glass wood-burning fire.

Owners Ronan and Jennie Sweeney and renowned executive head chef Danni Barry have gone to painstaking lengths to develop a new menu, applying a unique open flame cooking craft.

Danni’s passion for authentic flavours and genuine quality seasonal ingredients is threaded throughout the masterfully created recipes, featuring the finest cuts and freshest seafood.

Balloo Inns managing director Ronan Sweeney said: “We're so thrilled to open the doors to Overwood. Provenance and local produce have always been at the heart of everything we do and we aim to take this a step forward with the exciting new offering.

“Chef Danni Barry is keeping it simple, using the best cuts and seafood available to us and adding a special aroma and flavour with the searing heat of the charcoal and wood fire from the new Kopa grill.

“She is extremely talented at creating flavour and this shows in the selection of sauces and interesting sides offered to accompany the dishes that are grilled over wood. This is traditional, real cooking and we could not do this without the tremendous support of the entire team at Balloo House. I am extremely grateful for all their dedication, passion and hard work.”

The Balloo Inns Group employs 120 staff at The Parson’s Nose in Hillsborough, Balloo House and Overwood in Killinchy and Poacher’s Pocket in Lisbane, with all three retaining their spot in the prestigious Michelin Guide 2019.