Brought to you by The Blue Haven Collection.

There’s a thrill we’ve been missing for most of this year.

For a foodie, there is nothing quite as delightful as settling into a plush seat at an artfully set table for a laid-back and luxurious dinner.

Happily, the return of indoor dining in July brings with it an opportunity to nab yourself a reservation at one of the most exciting spots in the gourmet capital. From Monday, July 5th, 2021, Rare, the pride of the Blue Haven Collection, will open seven nights a week in Kinsale, serving from 5.30pm until 9pm every evening.

If you haven’t had the pleasure of an evening at Rare, you’re in for a treat.

The promise is an explorative and creative menu that is constantly evolving, with culinary surprises to delight and enthral along the way.

Everything down to the hand-carved box of flavoured salts and exotic peppers is carefully considered and designed to engage the senses. Every oil is infused in-house and the team ferment seasonal vegetables to blend their own sauces.

The drama is real too; a huge glass window in the dining room turns the kitchen into a stage, where diners can watch Head Chef Meeran Manzoor and his team add the final flourishes to each plate.

There are no Gordon-Ramsay-esque outbursts here, instead, the whole operation is more akin to a gentle ballet performed in chef whites.

A sneak peek at the menu…

To start, diners will be treated to carrot and blue cheese cappuccino, scallops with pork belly and blackpudding, crab loaf, beef tartare and burrata, tomato and olive tart. Every bite is presented on beautiful, unique tableware, with each delicate pot and colourful plate hand-chosen by Chef Meeran to celebrate the dish it contains.

The excitement continues with the mains; some of West Cork’s finest seafood stars in the terrine, with turbot, lobster bisque, caviar, potato and white asparagus. Next, there’s crispy cod, a mussels emulsion and schezuan mooli.

Lamb loin with crispy lamb belly, peas, wild garlic sour cream and bacon follows, along with lavender duck breast, sweet potato and fermented coffee and silken tofu with wild rice, peas, corn, pistachio and crisps.

The cocktail list is outrageously good

At Rare, each bespoke cocktail is inspired by at least one hero ingredient, sourced from the Kinsale Neighbour Food farmers market and local distilleries. Every drink on the menu is suitable for vegans and uses only plant-based ingredients.

The Rhubarb Crumble (€12.50), for example, is the perfect end to a glorious summer’s evening; Rare kitchen rhubarb is expertly blended with Kettle One Vodka and Longueville House brandy from Mallow for a nostalgic drink that will take you back to warm days gone by.

If you’ve been burning the candle at both ends during your Kinsale staycation (it’s easily done) The Buenos Dias Maria (€16.50) is Rare’s take on the cure; a Mexican Bloody Mary made with Don Julio Blanco Tequila and smoky artisanal mezcal.

There’s even a Smoked Peach Old Fashioned (€16) made with Green Spot Irish Whiskey from Midleton distillery, angostura bitters, a sprinkle of demerara sugar and a charred sweetened summer peach.

Don’t forget dessert

Our advice is to take your time and savour each course – that will ensure you have room for dessert, which is not to be missed.

Rare’s famous Tiny Chocolate Cake is the prize here, boasting ten layers of chocolate cake filled with ten layers of chocolate mousse, garnished with chocolate ganache, sugar tuile and edible gold.

For a unique twist on a summer favourite, try the strawberries in olive oil, speculaas biscuit and vanilla ice cream, smothered in port sauce.

As well as a premium local and international whiskey selection that will delight the most discerning connoisseur (served in a Waterford Crystal tumbler, natch), the bar can also deliver a choice of whiskey flights, expertly paired with chocolates made by the in-house artisan chocolatier.

The ‘Spot the Difference ‘Flight (€20) invites you to distinguish the differences between Green Spot Whiskey, Yellow Spot (aged for 12yrs) and Red Spot (aged for 15yrs) – the perfect after-dinner activity.

The wine and beer lists are extensive too and include a thoughtful choice of non-alcoholic choices for teetotallers and designated drivers.

From July 5th, 2021 Rare will open seven nights a week, 5.30pm – 9pm. Call 021 477 2209 to reserve your table.