There are more welcome green shoots in the Irish food scene with the arrival of a new coffee shop in Kilkee, Co Clare.
Holly's Café is the brainchild of Holly Kelliher and Jon Butler, two chefs who have worked in Michelin star kitchens both here and in the UK.
Having honed their skills in the likes of iconic 5 star hotel, The Ritz London and The Oak Room, the Michelin starred restaurant in Co Limerick’s Adare Manor, Kelliher and Butler have settled in the seaside town of Kilkee and put those skills to good use.
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Along with a diverse menu of homemade breakfasts, salads and sandwiches that will change weekly, Holly’s Cafe offers a range of pastries, scones and soda bread. Made in-house each day, ingredients used include the likes of Valrhona chocolate, Callebaut Belgian chocolate, and Ponthier fruit purées. Locally sourced and organic produce are also a focus, with cheese from Mossfield Organic Farm in Co Offaly, sausages from Kelly’s Meat Store in Kilrush, Co Clare and Ballymaloe Relish all featuring.
The café's standout signature pastries including a vanilla choux pastry filled with Madagascan vanilla crème diplomat; pistachio macarons filled with chocolate ganache and raspberry gel, and a Manjari chocolate mousse with chocolate crémeux and a caramel centre.
There is also a wide selection of cakes to enjoy with coffees made using beans from the Burren-based roastery, Anam Coffee or and loose leaf teas from Co Clare’s Guru Tea House.
Commenting on the recent opening – and their new home - Kelliher, said: “It was always our dream to open our own business and the current [Covid 19] situation has accelerated our long-term plans. Kilkee has always been a home away from home so when the opportunity arose to put our own stamp on the place and offer something completely new here we didn’t need to think twice.”
While currently operating on a take away only basis, Holly’s Café has seating for 30 people indoors and a further 20 outside. Located at 39 O'Curry St, Dough, Kilkee, Co Clare, it is currently open Tuesday to Saturday, 9.30am to 5pm, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays. For more information see the Facebook page.
