Barncastle Inn & Restaurant

We had breakfast coffee and homemade goodies in the quiet library sitting room, and they were incredible. The room itself was clean and just right, and dinner downstairs was delicious and beautifully presented. The little restaurant felt cozy by the fireplace in the well-kept historic building. We came for a night away and loved the relaxed atmosphere and the lovely old decor. Owen and his wife have made the place feel so welcoming, though I didn't get to meet her. Their dog Leroy is a sweet, friendly bonus and feels like part of the staff. We'll definitely come back.

The historic interior is still as charming as when I first ate here 19 years ago, and there’s a very laid back Saint Bernard hanging out in the library. For dinner out in BH, this is where I’d take myself, though it’s in my top two, lol. I’ve waitressed at some of the nicest restaurants around here, so I know good food and service. The Italian winter menu was delicious, refined, and interesting without being fussy, and the portions were just right. My cocktail was killer, and the desserts were to die for, especially the passion fruit curd panna cotta. I usually prefer panna cotta plain, but the cream was perfect, the passion fruit’s sweet tartness surprised me, and fresh mint added a nice freshness. There were three of us sharing everything, which is definitely the way to go when it’s so hard to pick just one thing. Hats off to the owner and chefs. If you haven’t been yet, go.

The cozy, rustic atmosphere and wider range of food choices make Barncastle an interesting place to visit, and sometimes they have live music. But this was the second time I felt the waitress had an attitude. Even when you ask nicely for something a little extra, she acts like she’s doing you a favor by waiting on you. Serving customers is the job, and if they’re not rude, they should be served with a smile and hopefully get a nice tip. So needless to say, she’s in the wrong business. If only the waitress got it, the whole experience would be much more enjoyable.

The room was in poor shape. The furniture and drapes were shabby, the bed and pillows felt old and uncomfortable, and there were no outlets by the bed. We couldn't open the windows to air things out, and a lot of dead flies were trapped between the plastic insulation screen. Outside looked just as neglected, with paint peeling from the windows and siding.