Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny, Ireland.

We dined in the Clanree Hotel Letterkenny, Donegal on Thursday January 26th 2012.

Below is our report.
My wife and I were invited to the Donegal Annual Vintners Federation dinner dance which this year took place in the Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny. An impressive building situated on the outskirts of Letterkenny. On entering the hotel foyer we were asked our choice of main course, Chicken, Roast Beef or Salmon. We placed our main menu order and made our way to the champagne reception held in the hotel bar. We were entertained with traditional music before being asked to make our way into the function room where the main event was being held. First impressions on walking into the room was cold with a musky damp smell which was bit of a letdown after the pleasant ambience of the bar. We put this down to the fact maybe the room hadn't been used for a while and made our way to our reserved table.
Starters was a chilli chicken dish which when was served was two goujons on salad with a chilli dip. Was just ok. After this was served a spicy tomato, pepper and mozzarella soup which on the cold night winter night outside was very tasty.
Main course my wife had chosen the chicken dish which was a chicken leg. My dish was beef wrapped in pastry. This was served with creamed potatoes, garlic potatoes and vegetables. This wasn't the best choice of main course I’ve ever made. The average size portion of beef was dried out and chewy and a letdown. One person on our table had to ask twice for potatoes. I sample a portion of Salmon and this was gorgeous and cooked to perfection.  The desert we both opted for was crème Brule served with home-made shortbread biscuits. This was quite tasty with a perfect crust on top but came in what looked like cereal bowls.
We were served good quality coffee.
The staff were very friendly.
The toilets in general were clean but did waver a bit in cleanliness as the night wore on.

All round experience 4/10

Villa Rose Hotel, Ballybofey, Donegal.

We dined in the Villa Rose Hotel in Ballybofey, Donegal on Sunday January 8th 2012.

Below is our report.

I phoned the hotel to book a reservation for the restaurant. Answered on 3 rings (very good). Receptionist was very polite and transferred my call to restaurant bookings. Answered very swiftly and no long wait.
If you enter the hotel from the main street you may only ever enter the bar and restaurant and go away without seeing the fantastic extension. If you are unable to park on the main street then use the hotel car park at the rear. We always arrive early if it's a hotel as it gives us time to check out the facilities. Had one drink in the Forge Bar before our meal.
Made our way to the Hotel restaurant over the beautiful overhead walkway though even though it's enclosed and lovely lit up at night it was a cold walk.
As you walk into the restaurant you wait to be shown to your table. Sometimes this can cause awkwardness if you’re left standing for a period of time but we were greeted straight away and shown to our table. The restaurant layout is to be admired with fine stonework and ambient lighting.
For starters I ordered the garlic mushrooms and my wife ordered the prawn cocktail. The children didn't want starters. The mushroom dish contained approximately 8 good size mushrooms dressed with a small salad and side dish of garlic mayonnaise. The mushrooms were good and crispy without too much oil. My wife’s prawn cocktail also came with a small salad. As prawn cocktails go you can't really go too far wrong and usually a standard dish no matter where you go.
Main course my wife ordered the chicken dish and I went for the leg of lamb. This came served with mashed potatoes {not lumpy} and a selection of vegetables and all round a good choice. The chicken dish was a good portion and my lamb was cooked to perfection and a good size portion. The children opted for home-made chicken goujons and chips. The goujons were very good.
For desert my wife went for the profiteroles with cream while the children and I had the trio of ice cream and again no faults and good portions.
We finished off with coffee and mint chocolates. My coffee has to be good and strong and not one of cheap weak alternatives some outlets serve. The coffee was good quality!
The staff were very friendly even though they were also dealing with two large parties so full marks there.

The toilets were spotless and checked on a regular basis.

Our bill came to 75 euro without wine but included 1 round of drinks in the restaurant.

One I would recommend and will be back

 All round experience 8/10