Farmgate Store - Midleton

Outstanding! The open-faced ham sandwich on whole wheat bread with a pot of tea may sound basic, but the one at Midleton's Farmgate goes above and beyond. The b... read more Outstanding! The open-faced ham sandwich on whole wheat bread with a pot of tea may sound basic, but the one at Midleton's Farmgate goes above and beyond. The bread was warm, the greens crisp, and the pickled cucumber and red onion slices were delicious. The ham was cooked to perfection, thinly sliced, and served at the perfect temperature. Everything was made fresh that morning, without any unnecessary fuss. The service was top-notch, creating a truly outstanding dining experience.

It has been a decade since my last visit to this hidden gem in Midleton. I had always intended to return, and finally did so two weeks ago. I was pleasantly sur... read more It has been a decade since my last visit to this hidden gem in Midleton. I had always intended to return, and finally did so two weeks ago. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it exceeded my expectations. The new cocktail bar is a wonderful addition, adding a special touch to the overall experience. The food was just as tasty as I remembered, and the staff were incredibly welcoming. I vow not to wait another ten years before coming back. If only I resided closer to this fantastic restaurant!

The restaurant has been impacted by shrinkflation. While it used to be great, the portion sizes have decreased and prices have gone up. However, the quality of... read more The restaurant has been impacted by shrinkflation. While it used to be great, the portion sizes have decreased and prices have gone up. However, the quality of the food remains good.

We had made a reservation for a party of 5 but ended up only being 3 when we arrived at the restaurant. Despite one of our group members being elderly, we were... read more We had made a reservation for a party of 5 but ended up only being 3 when we arrived at the restaurant. Despite one of our group members being elderly, we were asked to wait for another table. Eventually, we were seated at a large table meant for 6 people in a room with 2 other tables occupied by noisy children. It took a while for our drink order to be taken, but our meal order was promptly taken. Our entrees arrived while we were still enjoying our pre-dinner cocktails, without our wine order being taken. The seafood chowder was delicious but extremely hot, and the squid was cooked well with a crispy batter. The coulis with the squid was tasty, although the pesto seemed out of place. The steak main course was well-cooked, and the bernaise sauce could be described as rustic. The linguine with mussels was a generous portion, but we had to ask for a finger bowl and shell dish. Unfortunately, the roasted monkfish special was overcooked and the red pepper sauce had separated, which was a disappointment. When we received the bill, we mentioned the issues with the fish, and the server's response was unsatisfactory, reminding us to inform them in advance if the party size changes. Due to the overall experience, we do not plan on returning as there are plenty of other excellent restaurants in the area with friendlier staff.

However, I have to commend the service staff for being extremely attentive and efficient. Despite the good service, the food left a lot to be desired. It's now... read more However, I have to commend the service staff for being extremely attentive and efficient. Despite the good service, the food left a lot to be desired. It's now clear why every other restaurant in Midleton was busy while the Farmgate was almost empty. This experience has left a bad taste in our mouths, and we will not be returning.