I will be living in Skerries ten years this Summer. Throughout that time I have seen new restaurants opening and old favourites closing their doors. Skerries is a stunning seaside town with a vibrant harbour. Along that harbour is the welcome addition of 5Rock, a Mexican inspired smoke house grill.
The interiors are sumptuous with a mix of hard woods, leather banquets, stylish lighting fixtures and log burning stoves. Given its seaside location there are also nods to the nautical in the decoration. Its comfortable yet contemporary and has a variety of seating arrangements to suit a cosy twosome or a group of friends. I visited early evening on a Friday and the welcome was warm.
5Rock Skerries – Photo from 5Rock Facebook page
5Rock Skerries – Photo from 5Rock Facebook page
5Rock Skerries – Photo from 5Rock Facebook page
The menu is varied enough to cater for most people. For the meat lovers there is dry rubbed chicken (€15), Oaxacan Sung (€14) and 5Rock Ribs (€18). Sourced locally in Loughshinny they also have crab on the menu for €12. The drinks are not forgotten either. A range of wines, spirits, cocktail and craft beers are on offer.
The Starters
For starters we shared some taquitos (soft corn tortillas). They have a selection of six (2 of each) available for €20. They are presented on a handmade wooden board, which was made by a local crafts person.
5Rock Skerries – Photo from 5Rock Facebook page
My favourite was the pollo adobo consisting of slow braised chicken, grilled tomato in adobo sauce, avocado purée, chipotle and corn slaw with crema and cilantro. A burst of fresh flavour with tender chicken. Next in line was the rib taco served with house smoked paprika, queso fresca and a coriander lime compound butter. Absolutely delicious and I would easily eat a rack of these. My least favourite taco, the blacked prawns. Consisting of blackened prawns, mango salsa, Mexican salsa verde and toasted sesame seeds. While still excellent, they couldn’t quite compete with the other two.
Blacked Prawns
Rib Taco
Pollo Adobo
The Mains
For the main event I went with the char-grilled burger (approx €14) dressed with salad, pickles, sauce and topped with onion strings and a brioche bun. While the meat may not look that hefty in the picture below, it was superb. Full of smokey flavour and juicy rather dry. It came served with a side of fries and slaw.
The second main was a large size serving of super nachos. The photos don’t do it justice I’m afraid. The chilli beef was packing a punch and the entire dish was smothered in melted cheese and topped with avocado, smoked creama and salsa. The larger size along with some taquitos to start would easily keep two people happy with a couple of pints.
5Rock is a welcome addition to the dining scene in Skerries and I’ll be back for sure. With Summer fast approaching it might just be the perfect spot to while away an afternoon by the harbour. They also run a number of Sunday Social specials such as two margaritas or craft beers with super nachos for €20.
