One of the bright lights of the Limerick eating renaissance is Portly's, just around the corner from the Limerick market, on Little Ellen Street.
Catherine Hogan and her team run a relaxed room, which is especially pleasant at lunchtime. They have daily specials - such as tuna with maitre'd' butter, and sauteed squid with garlic - in addition to the menu, which features dishes such as seafood tabbouleh, and steak sandwich, and from which I chose a vegetable enchilada with salad.
The salad leaves were good, the twin enchiladas were packed with vegetables and had lots of melted cheese on top and were very enjoyable, and the combination of nice food with a sassy atmosphere was splendid.
Portly's, Little Ellen Street, Denmark Street, Limerick tel: 061-313388.