Turley's Bar
Moneyslane Road
Ballyward
Castlewellan
Co Down
Tel 028 4065 0855
REMEMBER that Sunday when we had our summer? Glorious wasn't it? Tops off or, 'taps aff' as we say around my way, streaky fake tan everywhere, the smell of burnt sausages in the air as barbecues were dragged from their winter hiding place.
My barbecue had a family of spiders living in it and it seemed a shame to evict them for just one day of clement weather. And so a 'wee drive out to the country' was called for.
Turley's Bar in Ballyward, close to Castlewellan, is a about as country as you can get. From Belfast it was a stunning drive, with occasional views of the Mournes, on a picture-perfect day.
I rang ahead and booked because there were three of us and a baby, and I always think more than two covers for a walk-in is pushing your luck.
The bar with upstairs restaurant is beautifully – and I assume quite recently – fitted out; dark wood, lots of nice art and little local curiosities dotted around. The upstairs restaurant is defined by an enormous picture window with fabulous, unspoilt views of the countryside.
We were seated in a booth with a high chair for our little lady, who was all biz as she always is when the centre of attention. I had a glass of wine, the other two had soft drinks while we were looking through the Sunday lunch menu. It was good, fairly traditional menu with lots of hearty, tasty-sounding dishes.
There wasn't much in the way of adventurous spirit in the wedges with crispy ham and prawn cocktail starters we ordered, but we did take a chance on a potted chicken dish with a steamed egg on top.
It is probably best described as a devilled egg with spicy, peppery chicken, topped with a runny egg. It came with a slab of wheaten, but would have been better suited to a chunk of crusty white bread.
The prawns were tasty, the baby liked the melon that came with them and the crispy ham with the wedges was moreish.
But we'd come for Sunday lunch and so expected amazing things from the salmon, turkey and roast beef dinners that we'd opted for after much 'if I order salmon can I have some of your beef' style debate.
Three plates of food arrived that were clearly styled on the mountain, picture-window views. My plate was groaning under the weight of soft roast beef with buttery roast potatoes, baby spuds and roasted root veg, with a side of fiery horseradish.
The salmon was thankfully moist and tasty, well seasoned and fresh, – there is always a danger of over-cooked fish during a busy Sunday service.
What was basically a Christmas dinner in summer, had enough turkey, ham and stuffing to feed two people. The veg was interesting, I love roasted carrots and there was also some braised celery but putting the beetroot in the same roasting dish was a mistake; it discoloured all around it, making it difficult to distinguish what was what.
For £3 extra you could have a pudding and so, really, why would you say no?
Pavlova, brownie and my favourite creme brûlée were the chosen ones. My brûlée was set and creamy with white chocolate and a raspberry jelly bottom. It came with a crumbly, still-warm-from-the-oven shortbread. My only complaint, the sugar topping didn't crack when I tucked in, but it was delicious none the less.
Service at Turley's is like visiting a friend's house – staff are informal, warm and friendly. A great wee find if you fancy a jant out the road for feed one Sunday.
THE BILL
Three course Sunday lunch £16 x 3
Soft drink £3 x 2
White wine £3.50 x 2
Total
£58
