Samphire - Donabate

Following excellent reviews from friends and in the newspapers over the years we decided to stay at the Waterside Hotel and book a meal in the Award Winning Samphire Restaurant. On our way into the restaurant we read the excellent framed reviews that were adorning the walls and we couldn 't wait for our meal. We were greeted by very friendly and helpful staff. It is after this point that our disappointment really hit home. We were shown to a table in the middle of a cold room and not at the window table that we had booked. I was very disappointed to be handed an early bird menu that resembled a bar food menu so I asked to see the A la Carte offering. This menu was not much better and had none of the fantastic local seafood that we were expecting but we decided to try and make the most of it. I then asked the friendly waitress for the wine menu but she politely informed me that there was not one. She asked if we would like red or white and when I said red she then informed us of the two choices that were only available. We then studied the menu in more detail and we soon came to the realisation that we were not going to experience the Award Winning meal that we had been anticipating for many weeks. We double checked with the waiting staff if this was the same restaurant that was featured in the framed reviews on the walls and they said it was. At this point we cancelled our table and retreated to the bar feeling a little down trodden. I think they should remove the Samphire name from the restaurant as the experience is not as advertised.

After excellent reviews of friends and in the times of the years we decided to stay in the waterside hotel and book a meal in the award winning samphire restaurant. on the way to the restaurant we read the excellent framed reviews that decorate the walls and we could not wait for our meal. we were welcomed by very friendly and helpful staff. it is after this point that our disappointment is really insulted. we were shown to a table in the middle of a cold room and not in the window table we had booked. I was very disappointed to hand over an early bird menu that resembled a bar food menu, so I asked to see the a la carte offer. this menu was not much better and had none of the fantastic local seafood we had expected, but we decided to make the best of it. then I asked the friendly waitress on the weeping menu, but they politely informed me that there was none. She asked if we wanted red or white and when I said red, she informed us about the two decisions that were only available. then we studied the menu more closely and soon we came to the realization that we did not want to experience the award winning meal that we had foreseen for many weeks. we have double checked the waiting staff when it was the same restaurant that was shown in the framed reviews on the walls and they said it was. at this point we have canceled our table and withdrawn into the bar that is a little crushed. I think they should remove the Samphire name from the restaurant, as the experience is not so advertised.

Great food great service and a special gift for all the Mam's on Mothers Day. Thank you Samphire!! We'll be back.

The restaurant's decor was lacking as well, though the waitress was friendly. Unfortunately, the food was just average. Overall, I do not recommend this place and I definitely won’t be returning.

I made a reservation through OpenTable, but I received a call informing me that the restaurant was fully booked. However, I was offered a spot at the bar instead. I ended up with the bar menu rather than the regular restaurant menu. The service was excellent, but the food was just okay—some dishes were good, while others were just average.