Gary & Danielle's Northern Exposure

It comes as no surprise to learn that this restaurant features in the Michelin Great Britain and Ireland guide as well as those for Georgina Campbell, Bridgetown, Taste of Ulster and Time Out guides.

By coincidence we called there on the Lime Tree's 13th birthday and found the tradition of local seafood dishes is going strong. The owner, Stanley Matthews, tells us that seven out of ten dishes he prepares are seafood.

Laurence started with crab cakes made with crabs from Malin Head and served with a chilli jam followed by lamb's kidneys in puff pastry.

I opted for the most popular dish on the menu - seafood thermidor. It contained a selection of five of the best fish of the day. The potato dish was wonderful - gratin dauphinois with rosemary and red peppers.

BACKGROUND

The Lime Tree is an unpretentious restaurant, housed in a former wool shop on the main street in Limavady. It is named after the lime trees planted to commemorate the visit of a former resident who went on to become the Prime Minister of New Zealand. Stanley, originally from Tyrone, set up this restaurant with his wife Maria thirteen years ago.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO

Maria runs the restaurant and Stanley and another chef prepare the dishes with seafood from the Antrim Coast and Donegal and carefully sourced local meat. All palates are catered for - from the simple classics such as fish chowder to the more adventurous such as Cocido-Spanish stew. Each month the Lime Tree has a themed night with fixed price.

COST

The Early Bird Menu is served: Tuesday - Friday 6pm to 7pm. £15.95 for 3 courses.

Set evening and á la carte menus: Average cost of a meal (including wine) for 2 from the á carte manu is £65.00

BOOKING

Tel. 028 7776 4300

www.limetreerest.com

Lime Tree Restaurant

60 Catherine Street

Limavady

Co L'Derry

BT49 9DB

USEFUL WEBSITES

www.tasteofulster.org

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