Sunday, January 31, 2021

❤️ Valentine’s Afternoon Tea to Call & Collect from The Montenotte Hotel ❤️

 ❤️ Valentine’s Afternoon Tea to Call & Collect from The Montenotte Hotel ❤


Has this lockdown you yearning for dainty finger sandwiches, fluffy scones and mouth-watering desserts and treats? Fear not, this Valentines weekend, The Montenotte Hotel has a unique and exciting way for you to treat your loved one from the comfort of your own home.

 

We all know that Valentine’s weekend is always a romantic weekend in Cork and at The Montenotte Hotel they want to continue a great tradition and allow you still enjoy your weekend at home with some of their tasty delights.

 

The team at the hotel led by Executive Head Chef Tabrez Shaikh, have enhanced their very popular Call & Collect Afternoon Tea and created a specifically themed Pure Cork Valentines Afternoon Tea for you to enjoy with your loved one.

Like the real thing, this Pure Cork Afternoon Tea will be placed on a Valentines three-tiered carryout box. Priced at €55, it designed to lavishly delight two people, the perfect romantic treat.

The menu is an amazing blend of sweet and savoury and includes,

The Montenotte Valentines Battenberg, Panna Cotta with Kinsale Red Berry Mead, Rhubarb & Griottines Cherry Custard, Bertha Revenge Sloe Gin and Plain Scones. Crab Skagen with Butter Lettuce & Classic Marie Rose on Porter House Bread, Miso Slow Cooked Duck with Onion & Cranberry Jam, Mini Brioche and Ham and Cheese Heart with Bandon Vale Cheese, Homemade Celtic Root Chutney and Honey Baked Ham.

 

You can add a bottle of “LOUIS PICAMELOT, BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT NV FRANCE”  which is the perfect aperitif (total €95).

 

General Manager of The Montenotte Hotel Brian Bowler said, “We are delighted to be able to deliver on our promise to #stayunique by offering another way to celebrate Valentines weekend in the comfort of your own home and enjoy our themed afternoon tea. We hope it will provide comfort to those of you seeking a semblance of normality amidst the current restrictions.  This special treat is the perfect thoughtful gesture for your loved one this Valentines weekend. We would dearly have loved to have you come and stay or just dine with us, but we will leave this for Valentines 2022.”


The Romantic Afternoon Tea for Call and Collect is available on Friday, Saturday & Sunday 12th – 14th February 2021 with collections from 12noon to 3pm daily. To book call 021 4530050 or visit TheMontenotteHotel.com

Another perfect Valentines Gift
The hotel currently has a package available to purchase as a gift voucher for your loved one this Valentines weekend. Just visit TheMontenotteHotel.com and select the “Romantic Getaway for 2” from their Voucher selection.

For more on The Montenotte Hotel visit TheMontenotteHotel.com 


press release


Saturday, January 30, 2021

Amuse Bouche

Pic via Pixabay

I was able to get by without making a fool of myself until I was served a mandarin orange sorbet between the entrée and the meat course. I stared at the small ball garnished with a mint leaf and asked why I was being served dessert before the second course. Rodríguez laughed, and that laughter erased the braid from his sleeves and several years from his face. Everything was easier after that. He no longer seemed a symbol of national power.


from Eva Luna by Isabel Allende (1988). Highly Recommended.

Thursday, January 28, 2021

Cheers 212901 Beer, Wine, Spirits with Liberty Wines, Wicklow Wolf, Blackwater Distillery, Shelbourne Bar, O'Briens Wine

Cheers 212901

Beer, Wine, Spirits with Liberty Wines, Wicklow Wolf, Blackwater Distillery,

Shelbourne Bar, O'Briens Wine

Mark and Sarah Driver of Rathfinny Wines who have appointed Liberty Wines as their exclusive agent in Ireland and the UK

More below...



Wicklow Wolf Latest

Our latest Endangered Species release... No.15

Somewhere Far Away

We have all been dreaming of somewhere far away over the past few months and our brewers are no different. The brain child of our brewer’s coming together (one of which is a Kiwi) to develop an exciting new release, Somewhere Far Away is an India Pale Lager that champions two super fresh New Zealand hops, Nelson Sauvin and Motueka. These two hops come from the north west of the South island of New Zealand famed for Marlborough Sauvi- gnon Blanc wine. Two bountiful dry hop additions allow these hops come to the forefront of the beer bringing a burst of soft fruits, grape, goose- berry and floral hints. At 6.0%, this DDH IPL was slowly conditioned with lager yeast, to give a clean, crisp and fruity finish, making it a very balanced and refreshing beer. No. 15 in our Endangered Species series, make sure to get it before it goes extinct.


February's Blackwater Tasters Box has been revealed 

We're very excited to show you all our first #BlackwaterTasters box of 2021 which contains two brand new, limited-edition spirits.

Our bold Blood Orange Gin with juicy blood oranges takes the lead vocals with bitter orange and sweet orange on the harmonies. A post distillation infusion of blood orange slices gives a bare hint of natural colour and a vibrant fresh orange palate. As February is the month of love, this box will also include a first of its kind, Love Potion No 5 Spirit Drink, a bitter-sweet liqueur containing pomegranate, finest grade saffron, five different sorts of peppercorns, pink roses, fresh citrus peel, cardamon - If you like new and exciting spirits, then you will love these!

Once again we only will have a limited number of boxes and we expect these boxes to go fast, so if you know anyone who might fancy signing up, please let them know.

Cork's Shelbourne Bar Have Your Valentine Bottled





Are you looking to treat your loved one this Valentines?
Or maybe even treat yourself?
The Shelbourne Bar have put together an Irish Whiskey and Chocolate pairing box for Valentine's Day.
Each box comes with
50ml of Dingle Single Malt
50ml Clonakilty Port Cask
6 Luxury Chocolates from The Chocolate Shop in the English Market
and a Shelbourne Bar Branded Glencairn Tasting Glass.
All for €55
You can shop now at our website



Rathfinny joins Liberty Wines

 

Liberty Wines is pleased to be appointed as exclusive agent in Ireland and the UK for Rathfinny, the family-owned Sussex estate established in 2010 by Mark and Sarah Driver.
 
Rathfinny’s estate vineyard now extends to over 93 hectares in the South Downs, just three miles from the Channel. Lying on a gentle south-facing slope, the site is predominantly planted with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier and benefits from a semi-continental maritime climate and free-draining chalky soils, providing the ideal conditions to ripen grapes for sparkling wine. Rathfinny uses only estate-grown fruit for their four traditional-method Vintage Sussex sparkling wines: Classic Cuvée, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs and Rosé. 
 

Sarah Driver emphasises the companies’ shared commitment to sustainability and social responsibility: “Rathfinny aims to be a sustainable wine producer, but also socially and environmentally responsible. It is great to be able to partner with an organisation like Liberty Wines. Like us, they hold employee wellbeing, the environment and sustainability at their core and are the first UK wine importer to be carbon neutral. We also take the stewardship of our land seriously."
 
Tom Platt, sales director of Liberty Wines, commented: “There is a natural fit between Liberty Wines and Rathfinny, as not only do we share a similar philosophy, but also they complement perfectly our existing English Sparkling portfolio. We would like to say thank you to Gonzalez Byass for the great work that they have done over the past three years, which we look forward to building upon.”
 
The 2017 vintage sparkling wines from Rathfinny will be released and available through Liberty Wines in April/May this year.


CIDER - NOT JUST FOR SUMMER

says Paul Barry | Assistant Buyer: Beer & Spirits at O'Briens Wine


Paul suggests Longueville House, Stonewell and McIvor in his blog...

Winter is certainly upon us; cold, wet and dreary, perfect cider weather you might say. Cider is often seen as a thirst quencher when served in a glass filled with ice on a sunny summer afternoon, but craft cider can be so much more. So, ditch the ice and just serve your cider chilled to fully enjoy the complex aromas and flavours on offer. If you do need some warming up on these cold winter nights, why not spice it up with some mulled cider? Add some all spice, a slice of orange studded with clove and gently warm for a luxurious winter warmer. Read more here.


Wednesday, January 27, 2021

A Quart of Ale± #33. Moving on over to craft with St Mel’s Brewery.




A Quart of Ale± #33

Moving on over to craft with St Mel’s Brewery


St. Mel’s Brewing Company (2014) was one of the first breweries to be established in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands in over 150 years. “We were the first Irish brewery to produce a Brown Ale and a Helles Lager as part of our core range. We were the first brewery outside of North America to utilise Neomexicanus hops in a commercial beer recipe, and we were one of the first breweries in Ireland to receive a producer’s retail licence to open an onsite brewery shop, selling directly to the public.”


And it was from their online shop that I ordered a mixed box a month or so back. I think it celebrated their anniversary and was called the Launch Box. Now it’s available on the site as “All the beers sampler box” and costs a reasonable €35.00 for a mix of cans and bottles.


You’ll soon realise that founders Liam (Head Brewer) and Eoin (also a brewer) are well into their lagers but they have much else to offer. We have a selection below and have included and will include more of their beers in our regular posts here.



St Mel’s “Go On So” Light Lager 4%, 440 can



This light lager from the Longford brewery pours a hazy lemon juice colour with a soft head that rests for a spell. Plenty of bubbles rising. Citrus notes in the aromas. May well be light but this beer has quite a decent mouthfeel, plenty of flavour and packed with refreshment, with a lip-smacking finish.


They say: ”Go On So" a light feeling beer that lets one reflect. This 4% lager is made using the highest quality Irish ingredients before being matured in tanks for 6 weeks to deliver crisp, clean and refreshing notes. Pairs well with spiced dishes and barbecued meats.


As I said earlier, the folks at St Mel’s are well into their lagers and this is one of my favourites from the portfolio (though I didn't do too much reflecting!).


“Fire 1864” Lager, 5%, 500ml bottle 



Colour is  light amber, with fountains of little bubbles rising. White head has a very brief life-span. Floral and some spicy notes in the aromas. Refreshing and crisp, with a mild bitterness and a slight malty sweetness and light fruit flavours, it is delicately balanced with a satisfying finish. Reminds me a bit of a Vienna lager.


This has been lagered in tank for 6 weeks. A hopping process called first wort hopping has been employed which lends the beer a fine bitterness balanced by the aromatics of the noble Mittelfruh (hops) variety.


They say: We work with some of the finest names in hospitality to produce their own label beer. We help with the recipe, brand development, menu pairings and staff training.


In 2017, Fire lager was developed in partnership with Fire, a well-known Dublin restaurant. The building dates to 1864 and was originally used as the supper room for the Lord Mayor of Dublin. In 2005, it became FIRE. The building itself is still in the care of the state and the Lord Mayor is still in residence in the nearby Mansion House and often comes to dine in “The Supper Room.


In fact, I visited there myself a few years back, but that was before this lager made its debut there. Next time, I’ll know what to ask for!

 

Founded by two friends in 2014, St. Mel’s Independent Brewing Company aimed “to make brilliant beers that are accessible and flavoursome to be enjoyed with food and with friends”. Looks like they are succeeding!


Sole “Above Water” Light Lager by St Mel’s 4%, 330 bottle



Colour is a straw yellow and it is cloudy. Aromas are a mix of grass and herb, almost a touch of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Malty is possibly the main descriptor of the palate which, while making a modest initial impression, is balanced with that hop bitterness, has an appealing texture (almost like a rice beer) and mouthfeel, and is clean, crisp and refreshing.


And that combination fulfils it purpose in this case, as a beer for Dublin’s Sole Restaurant, noted for its seafood and grill. The beer, they say and I believe, goes “very well with spiced dishes, steaks, and all types of seafood”. Mission accomplished!


Their master brewer has decided not to fully filter this Irish light lager in case that operation might lead to a stripping of flavours, hence the cloudiness.


They say: “We offer a bespoke own-label beer development, production, packaging and maintenance service that allows our trade partners to maximise their beverage sales revenues without compromising on quality, while also adding to the prestige of their brand.”




St Mel’s Classic Range IPA 5.2%, 500ml bottle 



This IPA from the brewery’s classic range comes in an amber colour with countless bubbles rising. They are painstakingly precise on this point: “All our bottled beers are carbonated to an exact level in a natural conditioning process in the bottle that adds an extra two weeks to the production process.”


There’a a hint of the bitterness to come in the aromas, also featuring exotic notes. That bitterness and fruit from the “liberally hopped” beer also shine on the palate with balancing notes coming from the malt. Quite a distinctive IPA, with a great depth of flavour.


Not easy to come up with something distinctive in the well-populated IPA field these days. No wonder that the Cotton Ball have named one "Not Another Bloody IPA". I also have a Salt version labelled “No Coast IPA” in the queue.


They say: “This beer is the perfect companion to those BBQ days and whatever is on the grill. It also works great with Blue cheese or with a craft spice bag! May you live as long as you like, and have what you like as long as you live.”


St Mel’s Classic Range Pale Ale 5.2%, 500ml bottle



Colour is a mid amber, white head, sinks quickly enough but still a fair bit of a stay. Hoppy aromas, notes of citrus and pine.  And much the same flavours as this beer makes a refreshing impact on the palate and beyond. Smooth, flavoursome and well balanced and quaffable, a touch of caramel from the Crystal malts helping. Not too sure what hops are used here but the flavours are not quite so “American” as you often find these days and the beer is none the worse for that, quite the contrary.


The folks at St Mel’s, a proudly independent brewery, suggest pairing “to the big fresh flavours like those of Thai and Indian cuisine. It also works great with mature cheese or with a sneaky Fish ’n Chips or Curry Chips”. Over to you!


They say: Creating the best beer we possibly can starts with using the best natural ingredients possible. We brew high-quality all-natural beers which are chemical and additive-free. We are strongly committed to using and supporting Irish when possible and use the finest ingredients sourced from local suppliers with over 80% of the grain used at St Mel's being Irish grown and malted.


St Mel’s Classic Range Brown Ale 5.2%, 500ml bottle



Brewed by Liam and Eoin at St Mel’s this is a dark brown with a thin coffee coloured head. Aromas are herby and floral.  Light orange blossom is mentioned on the label but I’ve never come across that particular blossom. Light and fresh on the palate, bitter enough too but balance coming from the caramel of the malt base. 


A pleasant enough beer but hasn’t got the quite the same heft as Ballykilcavan’s Bamrick’s. Heft is, perhaps, not the aim here. A few sips in, I’m thinking there’s a certain balanced delicacy here and maybe that was the aim all along.


They say: “..perfect companion for food with a depth of flavour and a fresh lightness of herbs and citrus. It also works great with Mexican cuisine or a sly warm black pudding, lashings of rich butter and thick batch loaf sambo.” 


I’ll be including more beers from St Mel’s in the regular Quart of Ale posts. 

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Taste of the Week. Sage in a Pot

Taste of the Week

Sage in a Pot. Pork Pot.



Midleton chef Kevin Aherne has been one of those restaurant owners doing a bit of pivoting recently! With his popular Sage closed, he has been selling his skills in different ways via pots, pies and sides. These are now available on Neighbourfood and in many stores - keep an eye on their Facebook page for updates.


I found a selection in Bradley's recently and the superb Pork Pot is our Taste of the Week. Bascially, this is slow-cooked pork, stroganoff style with Lemon and Sage. The addition of the lemon and sage is genius, enhances the pork no end without in anyway overwhelming it. The pots cost €7.50 each and for that we got a delicious main course for two. Well, we did add rice!

Looking forward now to my second pick, the Vegan Pot (red dahl with lentils, chickpeas, potatoes, cumin and coriander). Wonder what we'll add to this medium hot dish.


Sage2Go 

The Courtyard
8 Main St
Midleton
Cork
Ireland

MICHELIN STAR SHINES ON CORK. Congrats to Dede, Goldie, and native son Ross Lewis

MICHELIN STAR SHINES ON CORK

Congrats to Dede, Goldie, and native son Ross Lewis 

Goldie

 

- Baltimore restaurant Dede features amongst 18 Irish Michelin Star restaurants

- Cork City has one new Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant

 

Dede at the Customs House in Baltimore, Co. Cork has been awarded a Michelin Star in the 2021 Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland just published.

 

The popular West Cork establishment is the only newcomer to join what is now an 18-strong list of Michelin Star restaurants in the Republic of Ireland.

 

No stranger to the Michelin Star, head chef Ahmet Dede was awarded One Michelin Star in the 2019 edition of the Guide when at the Mews restaurant, Baltimore, an accolade he retained in 2020.

 

Other Cork restaurants to retain their star status in the 2021 Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland are Bastion in Kinsale and Chestnut in nearby Ballydehob and Cork City centre Japanese restaurant Ichigo Ichie.

 

Baltimore. You'll find Dede about 100m from the marina.

Other restaurants that hold their Michelin Star from previous years are the Two Star Restaurants Patrick Guilbaud and The Greenhouse in Dublin City along with Aimsir in Celbridge. One Star Dublin establishments are Chapter One, Variety Jones and L’Ecrivain in Dublin City and Liath in Blackrock village. Elsewhere, other one-star restaurants are Aniar and Loam (Galway City); Campagne and Lady Helen at Mount Juliet Hotel (Kilkenny); Wild Honey Inn, Lisdoonvarna (Clare); House Restaurant at Cliff House Hotel, Ardmore (Waterford); and The Oak Room at Adare Manor in County Limerick.

 

In Northern Ireland, three Belfast restaurants – Eipic (Howard Street), Ox (Oxford Street) and The Muddlers Club (Cathedral Quarter) – have also retained their Michelin Star status.

 

Cork City – one new Bib Gourmand award

Four restaurants join the list of 18 Bib Gourmand recipients in the Republic of Ireland whose names feature in the 2021 Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland.

 

Michelin Bib Gourmand awards recognise those establishments offering good food at affordable prices.

 

The four newcomers are: Goldie in Cork City; Spitalfields in The Coombe, Dublin City; Volpe Nera in Blackrock, Co. Dublin and Table Forty One in Gorey.

 

Others, all of which retain Bib Gourmand status from earlier years, are 1826 Adare (Adare); Aldridge Lodge (Duncannon); Chart House and Land to Sea (both Dingle); The Courthouse (Carrickmacross); Kai and Tartare Café & Wine Bar (both Galway City); Morrissey’s (Doonbeg); Sha-Roe Bistro (Clonegall); Thyme (Athlone) and in Dublin City, Uno Mas (Aungier Street); Pichet (Trinity Street); Pigeon House (Clontarf) and Richmond (Portobello).

  

In Northern Ireland, five establishments retaining their awards from last year are Balloo House in Killinchy, Newtownards; Noble (Holywood); Wine & Brine (Moira) and Belfast’s Deanes at Queen’s and Home in Wellington Place.

 

Three new Michelin Green Star restaurants committed to sustainable gastronomy

This year’s Guide sees the introduction of the new Michelin ‘Green Star’ distinction – highlighting restaurants that are leaders in sustainability practices.

 

Ireland’s three Michelin Green Star recipients are Kai and Loam Restaurant (both Galway City) and Inis Meáin Restaurant & Suites on the Aran Island of Inishmaan in Co. Galway.

Kinsale demo by Ross Lewis and David Rice (right)

 

Two special awards – highlighting the talent of the restaurant industry

Ross Lewis of Chapter One in Dublin was honoured with the Michelin Chef Mentor award 2021, whilst Noble Restaurant in Holywood won the Michelin Service and Welcome Award 2021.

 

Speaking at its launch, Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides, said: “This has been a hugely challenging period for the hospitality industry and our thoughts remain with all those who have suffered from the pandemic and by the restrictions that have been put in place.

 

“We were heartened by the number of chefs who called us during the year to ensure we were still going ahead with the Guide and our yearly awards. The Michelin Guide is about promoting the hospitality industry as a whole and we want to shine a light on the hard work, tenacity and commitment of chefs and restaurant teams,” he added.

 

Published now in a digital format only, by tyre manufacturer Michelin, the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2021 is available at https://guide.michelin.com/ie/en

and via the iOS app: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/michelin-guide-worldwide/id1541129177

 


Goldie Shines And Is Awarded Michelin Bib.

 Goldie Shines And Is Awarded Michelin Bib

Aishling and Stephen


Goldie fish restaurant in Cork's city centre has netted one of only four new Bib Gourmand accolades to be awarded to restaurants in Ireland at this year's Michelin Awards 2021. It is also the only restaurant in the Munster region to be recognised with a 'Bib' for its fantastic food at this year's event.


As well as the quality of food at Goldie, the judges commented that they have included this "lively, on-trend seafood bistro" in this year's Michelin Guide because of it's " tight-knit team and friendly service in a relaxed and informal setting."


They added that "the daily menu offers well-priced, modern dishes which use a gill-to-fin approach, making use of the whole catch from the smaller day boats that supply the restaurant."

Head Chef and co-owner of Goldie, Aishling Moore, says that she and her partner, Stephen Kehoe, are "absolutely shocked, delighted and incredibly proud of our little restaurant. It is totally a team effort at Goldie" she continues "and our team is the best."

Diners at the restaurant can expect delicious dishes such as 'buttermilk fried pollock with lime aioli' and 'pan-fried monkfish with langoustine ghee butter dhal, lime pickle and carrot. Puddings include 'spiced port pannacotta, clementine curd and ginger crumb' and 'Wisdom treacle tart, brandy ice-cream and ale caramel'; the latter referencing some of the award-winning beers brewed by its sister restaurant, Elbow Lane Brewery & Smokehouse, which are also served at Goldie.

Asked how she would like to celebrate the win, Moore says "ideally it would be with a full restaurant, which is impossible at the moment, but we are looking forward to being in a position to do so in the near future."

Goldie first opened for business in September 2019 to much critical acclaim and Moore was awarded ‘Best Chef of the Year 2020 Award' by the Bridgestone Guide. The restaurant has also established itself as a shining example of sustainability and ethical sourcing.


Monday, January 25, 2021

MICHELIN STAR SHINES ON WEST CORK RESTAURANT

  MICHELIN STAR SHINES ON WEST CORK RESTAURANT

Beetroot and Peach in Ahmet Dede's "back-yard"

 

- One new One Michelin Star for Ireland

- Baltimore restaurant Dede features amongst 21 Irish Michelin Star restaurants (18 in ROI and 3 in NI)

- Three new Michelin Green Stars – for commitment to sustainable gastronomy

- Four new Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants

- Dublin chef Ross Lewis of Chapter One wins ‘Chef Mentor‘ award

- Northern Ireland restaurant Noble in Holywood wins ‘Service and Welcome’ award

 

Dede at the Customs House in Baltimore, Co. Cork has been awarded a Michelin Star in the 2021 Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland just published.

 

The popular West Cork establishment is the only newcomer to join what is now an 18-strong list of Michelin Star restaurants in the Republic of Ireland.

 

No stranger to the Michelin Star, head chef Ahmet Dede was awarded One Michelin Star in the 2019 edition of the Guide when at the Mews restaurant, Baltimore, an accolade he retained in 2020.

 

Other restaurants that hold their Michelin Star from previous years are the Two Star Restaurants Patrick Guilbaud and The Greenhouse in Dublin City along with Aimsir in Celbridge. One Star Dublin establishments are Chapter One, Variety Jones and L’Ecrivain in Dublin City and Liath in Blackrock village. Elsewhere, other one-star restaurants are Aniar and Loam (Galway City); Campagne and Lady Helen at Mount Juliet Hotel (Kilkenny); Wild Honey Inn, Lisdoonvarna (Clare); House Restaurant at Cliff House Hotel, Ardmore (Waterford); Ichigo Ichie (Cork City Centre); Chestnut in Ballydehob, West Cork; Bastion (Kinsale) and The Oak Room at Adare Manor in County Limerick.

 

In Northern Ireland, three Belfast restaurants – Eipic (Howard Street), Ox (Oxford Street) and The Muddlers Club (Cathedral Quarter) – have also retained their Michelin Star status.

 

Three new Michelin Green Star restaurants committed to sustainable gastronomy

This year’s Guide sees the introduction of the new Michelin ‘Green Star’ distinction – highlighting restaurants that are leaders in sustainability practices.

 

Ireland’s three Michelin Green Star recipients are Kai and Loam Restaurant (both Galway City) and Inis Meáin Restaurant & Suites on the Aran Island of Inishmaan in Co. Galway.

 

Republic of Ireland – four new Bib Gourmand awards

Four restaurants join the list of 18 Bib Gourmand recipients in the Republic of Ireland whose names feature in the 2021 Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland.

 

Michelin Bib Gourmand awards recognise those establishments offering good food at affordable prices.

 

The four newcomers are: Spitalfields in The Coombe, Dublin City; Volpe Nera in Blackrock, Co. Dublin; Goldie in Cork City and Table Forty One in Gorey.

 

Others, all of which retain Bib Gourmand status from earlier years, are 1826 Adare (Adare); Aldridge Lodge (Duncannon); Chart House and Land to Sea (both Dingle); The Courthouse (Carrickmacross); Kai and Tartare Café & Wine Bar (both Galway City); Morrissey’s (Doonbeg); Sha-Roe Bistro (Clonegall); Thyme (Athlone) and in Dublin City, Uno Mas (Aungier Street); Pichet (Trinity Street); Pigeon House (Clontarf) and Richmond (Portobello).

  

In Northern Ireland, five establishments retaining their awards from last year are Balloo House in Killinchy, Newtownards; Noble (Holywood); Wine & Brine (Moira) and Belfast’s Deanes at Queen’s and Home in Wellington Place.

 

Two special awards – highlighting the talent of the restaurant industry

Ross Lewis of Chapter One in Dublin was honoured with the Michelin Chef Mentor award 2021, whilst Noble Restaurant in Holywood won the Michelin Service and Welcome Award 2021.

 

Speaking at its launch, Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides, said: “This has been a hugely challenging period for the hospitality industry and our thoughts remain with all those who have suffered from the pandemic and by the restrictions that have been put in place.

 

“We were heartened by the number of chefs who called us during the year to ensure we were still going ahead with the Guide and our yearly awards. The Michelin Guide is about promoting the hospitality industry as a whole and we want to shine a light on the hard work, tenacity and commitment of chefs and restaurant teams,” he added.

 

Published now in a digital format only, by tyre manufacturer Michelin, the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2021 is available at https://guide.michelin.com/ie/en

and via the iOS app: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/michelin-guide-worldwide/id1541129177


press release