Marlfield House - Gorey

Marlfield is a country house on a grand scale and has enjoyed a reputation for lavish hospitality since the Earls of Courtown opened the doors of their residence to friends and guests during the 1830s. These days it makes much of its woodland walks, wildfowl reserve and lovely rose beds – not forgetting a thriving kitchen garden.

Modern French cuisine is the cornerstone of the regularly changing dinner menu, although influences from Europe and beyond are evident in starters like ravioli of braised ham and foie gras with butternut squash broth and sage beurre noisette. Meals continue with mains ranging from seared fillet of John Dory with beetroot risotto, fennel and baby asparagus or a daring combination of sautéed Anjou pigeon with slow-coked lobster and thyme gnocchi to classic Wexford beef Wellington.

As a finale, you might fancy the grandly titled 'presentation of coffee themed desserts' or more prosaic-sounding Valrhona chocolate soufflé with pistachio ice cream. The monumental wine list is awash with serious French vintages at seriously daunting prices.