The Universal

We visited The Universal for dinner during the Bank Holiday weekend in Galway after reading so many great reviews. Looking at the menu beforehand, I wasn't entirely convinced—it wasn't the sort of menu we'd normally choose on a random Tuesday. I'm very glad we ignored our instincts! We started with a couple of cocktails, which were a great way to kick off the evening. They were beautifully made, well balanced, and set the tone for what turned out to be a fantastic meal. The real stars of the evening were the starters. We had the Iona Farm Baby Beets and the Organic Spinach Salad. On paper they sound almost too simple, but whoever is in that kitchen clearly knows how to work magic. The combinations of flavours, textures and dressings turned humble vegetables into dishes that had us wondering why salads at home never taste remotely like this. For mains, we chose the Roast Kinvara Lamb and the Castletownbere Monkfish. They were both very good—beautifully cooked and full of flavour—but after those spectacular starters they had some very big shoes to fill. It's the culinary equivalent of opening for Beyoncé. The atmosphere was lovely, the service was friendly, and it's easy to see why this place has such a loyal following. If you're in Galway and fancy something a little different from the usual pub fare, The Universal is absolutely worth a visit. Just don't make the mistake we did and underestimate the salads—they might just steal the whole show. And if you enjoy a good cocktail, be sure to try one or two—they're the perfect start to the experience.