IRISH RESTAURANTS WIN AT THE LEINSTER REGIONALS OF THE IRISH RESTAURANT AWARDS 2018

IRISH RESTAURANTS & CHEFS HONOURED AT PRESTIGIOUS IRISH RESTAURANT AWARDS 2018

• Thursday, 8th March 2018
• For immediate release

The first of four regional finals in this year’s Irish Restaurant Awards took place in the Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim, last night where 165 awards were presented to the country’s leading chefs, restaurants and pubs.

Over 550 people attended the Leinster Regional Final on Wednesday evening where the top establishments in each county were named.

The awards covered a wide range of venues and the winners from each of Leinster’s 11 counties were selected from the following categories: Best Casual Dining, Best Emerging Irish Cuisine, Best Kids Size Me, Best ‘Free From’, Best World Cuisine, Best Restaurant Manager, Best Wine Experience, Pub of the Year, Best Café, Best Customer Service, Best Gastro Pub, Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant, Best Newcomer, Best Chef and Best Restaurant. There was also a special Regional award for Leinster’s Local Food Hero.

Speaking at the awards, Adrian Cummins, Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) said: “Now in their tenth year, the Irish Restaurant Awards continue to showcase the exquisite and admirable calibre of food available in our restaurants and pubs nationwide. Online nominations have increased from 9,000 in 2013 to over 80,000 this year and with the increase in interest comes an increase in standards, making the judging process more difficult than ever.

“Our small island boasts everything from fine dining to high quality gastropubs, from the exotic taste explosions of world cuisine to the comfort of traditional dishes. We have an appreciation for what we eat, for the journey of our food from farm to fork, and for the dedication of those working in the food industry to serve up Ireland’s finest food.”

Carlow Winners are as follows:

• Best Casual Dining sponsored by San Pellegrino – The Clink Boutique Hotel
• Best Emerging Irish Cuisine sponsored by Odaios Foods – Clashganny House Restaurant
• Best Kids Size Me sponsored by Dubliner Cheese – Rachel’s Garden Café at Arboretum Garden Centre
• Best ‘Free From’ sponsored by Peroni Nastro Azzurro Gluten Free – Pimento
• Best World Cuisine sponsored by Aryzta – Bombay Diner
• Best Restaurant Manager – Stephanie Stone of Sha-Roe Bistro
• Best Wine Experience sponsored by Classic Drinks – Mimosa Bar de Tapas
• Pub of the Year sponsored by Bushmills – Carpe Diem
• Best Café sponsored by Illy – Caffé 500
• Best Customer Service – Mimosa Bar de Tapas
• Best Gastro Pub sponsored by Coca Cola & Schweppes – Dinn Rí Hotel
• Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant sponsored by BWG Foodservice -Plum Tree Bistro at Woodford Dolmen Hotel
• Best Newcomer sponsored by Elavon – Barrows Keep
• Best Chef sponsored by Nisbets – Alan Foley at The Step House Hotel
• Best Restaurant sponsored by Tindal Wine Merchants – Sha-Roe Bistro

Kildare Winners Are As Follows:

• Best Casual Dining sponsored by San Pellegrino – The Ballymore Inn
• Best Emerging Irish Cuisine sponsored by Odaios Foods – TwoCooks Restaurant & Wine Bar
• Best Kids Size Me sponsored by Dubliner Cheese – Da Vinci’s Italian Restaurant
• Best ‘Free From’ sponsored by Peroni Nastro Azzurro Gluten Free – Beetroot Healthy Food
• Best World Cuisine sponsored by Aryzta – Oak Alley Restaurant & Cocktail Bar
• Best Restaurant Manager – Barbara Snela of Novak’s Restaurant
• Best Wine Experience sponsored by Classic Drinks – The K Club
• Pub of the Year sponsored by Bushmills – Boyle’s Bar
• Best Café sponsored by Illy – L’Art du Chocolat
• Best Customer Service – Red Torch Ginger
• Best Gastro Pub sponsored by Coca Cola & Schweppes – Hartes of Kildare
• Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant sponsored by BWG Foodservice – The Linden Tree at Carton House Hotel
• Best Newcomer sponsored by Elavon – LaBrasserie
• Best Chef sponsored by Nisbets – James Sheridan at Canteen Restaurant
• Best Restaurant sponsored by Tindal Wine Merchants – TwoCooks Restaurant & Wine Bar
  

Kilkenny Winners Are As Follows:

• Best Casual Dining sponsored by San Pellegrino – Truffles Restaurant and Wine Bar
• Best Emerging Irish Cuisine sponsored by Odaios Foods – Kernel Bar & Kitchen
• Best Kids Size Me sponsored by Dubliner Cheese – Langton House Hotel
• Best ‘Free From’ sponsored by Peroni Nastro Azzurro Gluten Free – Rive Gauche
• Best World Cuisine sponsored by Aryzta – Indique
• Best Restaurant Manager – Milko Mihaylov of Truffles Restaurant & Wine Bar
• Best Wine Experience sponsored by Classic Drinks – Ristorante Rinuccini
• Pub of the Year sponsored by Bushmills – Billy Byrnes Bar and Guesthouse
• Best Café sponsored by Illy – Cakeface Patisserie
• Best Customer Service – Ristorante Rinuccini
• Best Gastro Pub sponsored by Coca Cola & Schweppes – Left Bank
• Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant sponsored by BWG Foodservice – Lady Helen Dining Room at Mount Juliet Estate
• Best Newcomer sponsored by Elavon – Kernal Bar And Kitchen
• Best Chef sponsored by Nisbets – Ken Harker at Lady Helen Dining Room at Mount Juliet Estate
• Best Restaurant sponsored by Tindal Wine Merchants – Campagne

Laois Winners Are As Follows:

• Best Casual Dining sponsored by San Pellegrino – Kelly’s Steakhouse
• Best Emerging Irish Cuisine sponsored by Odaios Foods – Ballyfin Demesne
• Best Kids Size Me sponsored by Dubliner Cheese – Treacy’s Bar and Restaurant
• Best ‘Free From’ sponsored by Peroni Nastro Azzurro Gluten Free – The Pantry
• Best World Cuisine sponsored by Aryzta – Mayur Indian Restaurant
• Best Restaurant Manager – James Moloughney of Castle Durrow
• Best Wine Experience sponsored by Classic Drinks – Batoni’s
• Pub of the Year sponsored by Bushmills – Morrissey’s Pub
• Best Café sponsored by Illy – Kelly Lou Café and Cakery
• Best Customer Service – Roundwood House
• Best Gastro Pub sponsored by Coca Cola & Schweppes – The Bog Road
• Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant sponsored by BWG Foodservice – Ballyfin Demesne
• Best Newcomer sponsored by Elavon – Mueller & O’ Connell Bakery
• Best Chef sponsored by Nisbets – Sam Moody at Ballyfin Demesne
• Best Restaurant sponsored by Tindal Wine Merchants – Batoni’s

Longford Winners Are As Follows:

• Best Casual Dining sponsored by San Pellegrino – The Aubergine Gallery Café
• Best Emerging Irish Cuisine sponsored by Odaios Foods – Tus Nua Steakhouse & Restaurant
• Best Kids Size Me sponsored by Dubliner Cheese – Jac-O-Bites Café
• Best World Cuisine sponsored by Aryzta – Spice India Restaurant
• Best Restaurant Manager – Lorna Halligan of Nine Arches Restaurant
• Best Wine Experience sponsored by Classic Drinks – Skelly’s Bar
• Pub of the Year sponsored by Bushmills – Edward J Valentines Bar
• Best Café sponsored by Illy – Macs Shack
• Best Customer Service – Dillon’s Bar & Bistro
• Best Gastro Pub sponsored by Coca Cola & Schweppes – The Rustic Inn
• Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant sponsored by BWG Foodservice – The Courtyard Restaurant at Cooney’s Hotel
• Best Newcomer sponsored by Elavon – Nine Arches Restaurant
• Best Chef sponsored by Nisbets – Robert Groot Koerkamp of VM Restaurant at Viewmount House
• Best Restaurant sponsored by Tindal Wine Merchants – VM Restaurant at Viewmount House

Louth Winners Are As Follows:

• Best Casual Dining sponsored by San Pellegrino – Eastern Seaboard Bar & Grill
• Best Kids Size Me sponsored by Dubliner Cheese – Dine at Dundalk Golf Club
• Best ‘Free From’ sponsored by Peroni Nastro Azzurro Gluten Free – The Bare Food Company
• Best World Cuisine sponsored by Aryzta – Tamarind Indian Cuisine
• Best Restaurant Manager – Michael Hulme of Eno’ Bar & Grill
• Best Wine Experience sponsored by Classic Drinks – Ghan House
• Pub of the Year sponsored by Bushmills – Russell’s Bar
• Best Café sponsored by Illy – Strandfield Café
• Best Customer Service – Monasterboice Inn
• Best Gastro Pub sponsored by Coca Cola & Schweppes – Lennons Gastro Pub
• Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant sponsored by BWG Foodservice – Scholars Townhouse Hotel
• Best Chef sponsored by Nisbets – Gary Harvey
• Best Restaurant sponsored by Tindal Wine Merchants – The Bay Tree Restaurant & Belvedere House

Meath Winners Are As Follows:

• Best Casual Dining sponsored by San Pellegrino – The Spire Restaurant
• Best Emerging Irish Cuisine sponsored by Odaios Foods – Vanilla Pod at The Headfort Arms Hotel
• Best Kids Size Me sponsored by Dubliner Cheese – La Bucca Ratoath
• Best ‘Free From’ sponsored by Peroni Nastro Azzurro Gluten Free – Zucchini’s Restaurant
• Best World Cuisine sponsored by Aryzta – Copper and Spices
• Best Restaurant Manager – Justine Norton of The Central Navan
• Best Wine Experience sponsored by Classic Drinks – Brabazon Restaurant at Tankardstown House
• Pub of the Year sponsored by Bushmills – Boyle’s of Slane
• Best Café sponsored by Illy – Avoca Dunboyne
• Best Customer Service – The Station House Hotel
• Best Gastro Pub sponsored by Coca Cola & Schweppes – The Lime Kiln Gastropub
• Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant sponsored by BWG Foodservice – Vanilla Pod at The Headfort Arms Hotel
• Best Newcomer sponsored by Elavon – Gandon Room Restaurant at Slane Castle
• Best Chef sponsored by Nisbets – Andrew Power at Vanilla Pod at The Headfort Arms Hotel
• Best Restaurant sponsored by Tindal Wine Merchants – Cinnamon Garden Indian Restaurant

Offaly Winners Are As Follows:

• Best Casual Dining sponsored by San Pellegrino – Emma’s Café
• Best Emerging Irish Cuisine sponsored by Odaios Foods – Spinners Restaurant
• Best Kids Size Me sponsored by Dubliner Cheese – Lana Asian Street Food
• Best ‘Free From’ sponsored by Peroni Nastro Azzurro Gluten Free – The Red Apple Cafe
• Best World Cuisine sponsored by Aryzta – Lana Asian Street Food
• Best Restaurant Manager – Paula Tahraoui of Siroccos Italian Restaurant
• Best Wine Experience sponsored by Classic Drinks – Siroccos Italian Restaurant
• Pub of the Year sponsored by Bushmills – The Chestnut
• Best Café sponsored by Illy – Woodfield Cafe
• Best Customer Service – The Captain House Restaurant
• Best Gastro Pub sponsored by Coca Cola & Schweppes – Hennessy’s
• Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant sponsored by BWG Foodservice – Slí Dala Restaurant at Kinnitty Castle
• Best Newcomer sponsored by Elavon – Kings Kitchen at The Fivealley Inn
• Best Chef sponsored by Nisbets – Kenan Phelivan at Blue Apron Restaurant
• Best Restaurant sponsored by Tindal Wine Merchants – Blue Apron Restaurant

Westmeath Winners Are As Follows:

• Best Casual Dining sponsored by San Pellegrino – Miller & Cook
• Best Emerging Irish Cuisine sponsored by Odaios Foods – The Fatted Calf
• Best Kids Size Me sponsored by Dubliner Cheese – Beans and Leaves
• Best ‘Free From’ sponsored by Peroni Nastro Azzurro Gluten Free – Bastion Kitchen
• Best World Cuisine sponsored by Aryzta – Kin Khao Thai
• Best Restaurant Manager – Una Weir of Weirs Bar & Restaurant
• Best Wine Experience sponsored by Classic Drinks – The Fatted Calf
• Pub of the Year sponsored by Bushmills – Bracken’s Bar
• Best Café sponsored by Illy – Beans and Leaves
• Best Customer Service – The Villager Bar & Restaurant
• Best Gastro Pub sponsored by Coca Cola & Schweppes – Weirs Bar & Restaurant
• Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant sponsored by BWG Foodservice – Glasson Hotel & Golf Club
• Best Newcomer sponsored by Elavon – Las Radas Wine & Tapas Bar/ Restaurant Athlone
• Best Chef sponsored by Nisbets – John Coffey at Thyme Restaurant
• Best Restaurant sponsored by Tindal Wine Merchants – Thyme Restaurant

Wexford Winners Are As Follows:

• Best Casual Dining sponsored by San Pellegrino – The Kitchen at Gorey
• Best Emerging Irish Cuisine sponsored by Odaios Foods – Aldridge Lodge Restaurant & Guesthouse
• Best Kids Size Me sponsored by Dubliner Cheese – Whitford House Hotel
• Best ‘Free From’ sponsored by Peroni Nastro Azzurro Gluten Free – Wild and Native Seafood Restaurant
• Best World Cuisine sponsored by Aryzta – Mi Asian Street Food
• Best Restaurant Manager – Joanne Harding of the Aldridge Lodge
• Best Wine Experience sponsored by Classic Drinks – Beaches Restaurant at Kellys Resort Hotel
• Pub of the Year sponsored by Bushmills – The Sky and The Ground
• Best Café sponsored by Illy – The Wilds
• Best Customer Service – Whitford House Hotel
• Best Gastro Pub sponsored by Coca Cola & Schweppes – Katie Daly’s Bar and Restaurant Gorey
• Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant sponsored by BWG Foodservice – The Duck Restaurant at Marlfield House
• Best Newcomer sponsored by Elavon – PK Thai Cuisine
• Best Chef sponsored by Nisbets – Paul Hynes at La Côte Seafood Restaurant
• Best Restaurant sponsored by Tindal Wine Merchants – La Côte Seafood Restaurant

Wicklow Winners Are As Follows:

• Best Casual Dining sponsored by San Pellegrino – Campo de’ Fiori
• Best Emerging Irish Cuisine sponsored by Odaios Foods – The Strawberry Tree at Brooklodge & Macreddin Village
• Best Kids Size Me sponsored by Dubliner Cheese – Platform Pizza Bar
• Best ‘Free From’ sponsored by Peroni Nastro Azzurro Gluten Free – Happy Pear Greystones
• Best World Cuisine sponsored by Aryzta – Pink Salt Indian Restaurant
• Best Restaurant Manager – Donal Byrne of Butler & Barry Gastropub
• Best Wine Experience sponsored by Classic Drinks – La Touche Wines 4 U
• Pub of the Year sponsored by Bushmills – The Harbour Bar
• Best Café sponsored by Illy – Firehouse Bakery & Bread School
• Best Customer Service – Noah’s Ark Restaurant Café
• Best Gastro Pub sponsored by Coca Cola & Schweppes – Butler & Barry Gastro Pub
• Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant sponsored by BWG Foodservice – Sika Restaurant at Powerscourt Hotel
• Best Newcomer sponsored by Elavon – Cowfish
• Best Chef sponsored by Nisbets – Brian Walsh at Pigeon House Café
• Best Restaurant sponsored by Tindal Wine Merchants – Pigeon House Café

ENDS

For further information contact:

Adrian Cummins, Chief Executive Officer

Restaurants Association of Ireland

Mobile: +353 86 8263311

Telephone: +353 1 6779901

Fax: +353 1 6718414

Email: awards@rai.ie

Website: www.irishrestaurantawards.com

Twitter: @restawards

Facebook: www.facebook.com/IrishRestaurantAwards

Instagram:@irishrestawards

Notes for the Editor:

Judging Process

• Public Nomination – During the initial stage of the Leinster Regional Restaurant Awards members of the public voted to nominate their favourite restaurants, hotels and hospitality personal. These nominations were independently assessed by BDO.

• Judging Panel – Our judging panel, made up of industry experts, food writers, culinary academics and critics, then narrowed down the list of nominations to our final regional winners.