MUCH LOVED: Hennessy's Irish Bar is popular with locals and tourists. PHOTO/FILE
FOR service with a smile, exceptional food, tasty brews and a bit of Irish charm, look no further than Hennessy's Irish Bar.
Since it opened 13 years ago, the restaurant and bar has been a favourite among locals and tourists alike - and it's easy to see why.
Situated in the heart of Rotorua and boasting a beautifully designed interior in true Irish tradition, Hennessy's makes you feel as though you've just stepped off the old streets of Dublin into this cosy retreat.
With spacious booths for groups, hidden-away private tables for couples, an outdoor area perfect for basking in the afternoon sun and private function room popular with corporate and social groups, the restaurant offers something for everyone.
It also hosts weekly live music and quiz nights and is the perfect place for sports-mad locals, featuring several flatscreen TVs for fans to watch their favourite football, rugby, basketball, games.
The bar is the place to be during any major sporting event - not to mention the fact it's the best place in town to celebrate St Patrick's Day.
It's not hard to see why the restaurant has received the prestigious Beer Masters Award time and again, as the staff clearly work hard to ensure customers get an enjoyable dining experience and the perfect pint every time.
Hennessy's is open from 11am to late and operates every day of the year except Christmas Day.
The food: is plentiful. The menu offers a range of hearty pub favourites, including lamb shanks, bangers and mash, steaks, burgers and sandwiches, as well as several Irish classics. For those who want to ditch the meat there are several vegetarian options, and a children's menu to keep the youngsters at bay. My friend and I found ourselves salivating just reading the menu, there were so many delectable options to choose from. I finally decided on the Cajun chicken salad with tangy mango and spicy tomato salsa, while my friend couldn't resist the open grilled chicken salad with cranberry, salad and creamy brie and avocado. The portion sizes were generous and the meals went down an absolute treat. While we were more than satisfied with our mains, the restaurant owner said we couldn't leave without trying Hennessy's famous Bailey's Irish cheesecake - and boy, were we glad he said so - it was without doubt the best cheesecake I've tasted. Velvety, smooth and creamy, my friend summed it up as "delectable" and "heavenly".
The drinks: Customers have an array of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to choose from. While we were tempted to try one of the bar's many wines or beers, or even a pint of Guinness, we settled on a cool lemonade which went down smoothly in the afternoon heat.
The prices: are value for money. Ranging from $5.50 for garlic bread to $32.90 for the large seafood basket, the prices are affordable. A full menu and price list is available at www.hennessys.co.nz.
Service: is exceptional - warm, friendly and efficient. We were approached by a smiling waitress at the counter who promptly sat us at table and gave us our menus. She made sure we were well looked after during our meal and we left smiling.
Overall: There's no question why Hennessy's Irish Bar is a "go to" for locals and visitors to the city. Boasting an array of drinks, delicious, filling meals, great service and a cosy and relaxed atmosphere, it's certain to tick all the boxes. I'll be certain to go back for another date with a slice of their delicious Irish cheesecake.