The Forge Gallery Restaurant - Collon

Founded by Des Carroll in 1984, this cottagey, white-painted restaurant combines the virtues of 'fine dining and original artwork'. It's a pleasant, immaculately maintained place with bags of character and plenty of style: true to its name, the first floor of the place doubles as a gallery displaying regular exhibitions from top contemporary Irish artists.

On the food front, the Forge is noted for its commitment to native produce, whether it's grilled fillet of beef paired with poached Boyne salmon and tarragon sauce or the kitchen's signature dish – a 'rendezvous' of Clogherhead prawns and scallops in light dill and cream sauce. Other options might include Carlingford Bay mussels spiked with chilli oil, a brace of braised quail with apricot, raisin and apple stuffing or roast duckling with spring onion, soy and ginger sauce. A dozen house selections head the reputable wine list.