We had booked our table at The Whitehorses, Ardmore, a week in advance. This didn't stop us from having to wait almost half an hour to be seated, however. Not only did we have to wait, but we had to wait right in the aisle in front of the counter, quite simply because there was nowhere else for us to go. We felt, from the off, as if we were in the way and were treated as much. We were left to sit there for quite some time before a menu was brought to us and even then, nobody offered us a drink while we were waiting. A queue began to form in front of the door and sadly, for quite some time, no member of staff was willing to amend this situation. It can't have been comfortable for diners sitting nearby and it can't have been comfortable for the people standing there, made to feel like spare tyres as waiters tried to get by with hot plates of food.

A gruff brunette with short hair did little to comfort us, ignoring us for the most part. It was not exactly the welcome we had hoped for, given that the restaurant us just down the road from us.

Thankfully, a cheerful blonde showed us to our seats and our starters were very quick off the mark. The food was sublime. My starter of Venison Sausage was succulent and flavoursome, well complemented by a large dollop of dijon mustard. My steak was cooked to perfection and just as I had asked for it. The desert was devilishly devine.

That's why it's such a shame that the ambiance and service let it down. One of my party had had to ask for his glass to replaced because it was smeared with a lipstick stain. The table had not been laid before we had been shown to our seats. When the girl arrived to lay the table, she didn't even acknowledge our existence. No hello, no how are you, no nothing. The cutlery was slapped down in a haphazard way and I didn't appreciate the fact that one of my party had her desert spoon slapped down in front of her, on a horrible looking table-mat, and had to put it in its rightful place herself. This is, quite frankly, not good enough for a restaurant that charges about €54 a head. I expect better than that when I'm footing the bill. Also, I don't mind using table-mats for lunch, but for an evening meal, I expect a nice, crisp table-cloth to be laid and I don't expect to be sitting underneath blaring speakers that hinder any chance of a proper conversation with my party; which is what we experienced at The White Horses.

It's a great shame that diners are being treated this way, because, as I say, the food is sublime. It deserves better than the ambiance (or lack of it) provided. Aside from two very helpful servers, a younger and an older blonde, the rest left alot to be desired.

Great food. Service, ambiance and decor that left alot ot be desired. If dining in The White Horses, Ardmore, be prepared to feel as though you should kiss the ground for the privilege of getting a table there at all. At least, I think that that is how some of the staff see your custom.

Rustic? Yes. Elegant? No.

Great food, though.