On a recent trip to Dublin, Nigella Lawson took to Twitter to gush about the elegant simplicity of a prune and mascarpone dessert. It seems Merrion Row’s Etto has won the heart of the Domestic Goddess and the nation as it scooped the title of Best Restaurant in Ireland last night.
The Irish Restaurant Awards, fondly known as the Food Oscars, took place at the Clayton Burlington Road with a crowd of over 1000 industry personalities celebrating the best in the business at a glittering gala dinner.
Attendees were treated to a six-course feast prepared by a line-up of Ireland’s renowned chefs, including Shamzuri Hanifa of Cottage Restaurant, Gary O’Hanlon, Danni Barry of Clenaghans Restaurant, Keith Boyle of the Bay Tree Bistro in Waterford City and Elena Martinez of Crover House Hotel.
Michelin Bib Gourmand holder Etto took the top honour of the night, as well as taking the title for Best Chef in Dublin for Head Chef Barry Sun Jian and Best Customer Service in Dublin. Other big winners on the night included Best Chef in Ireland Jess Murphy of Kai, with Best Hotel Restaurant in Ireland awarded to Kerry’s Park Hotel Kenmare.
The full list of this year’s winners is as follows:
Best Gastro Pub
Dublin – The Legal Eagle
Connaught – Cronin’s Sheebeen
Leinster – Lennons Gastro Pub
Munster – Moorings
Ulster – The Brewer’s House
All-Ireland – The Legal Eagle
Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant
Dublin – The Marker Hotel
Connaught – Wilde’s at The Lodge
Leinster – Ballyfin Demesne
Munster – Park Hotel Kenmare
Ulster – Newforge House
All-Ireland – Park Hotel Kenmare
Best Newcomer
Dublin – Michael’s Mount Merrion
Connaught – Hooked
Leinster – Barrows Keep
Munster – Dooks Fine Foods Fethard
Ulster – Clenaghans
All-Ireland – Clenaghans
Best Café
Dublin – Honey Truffle
Connaught – Pudding Row
Leinster – Strandfield Café
Munster – Maison Gourmet
Ulster – The Jolly Sandwich Bar
All-Ireland – Pudding Row
Best Wine Experience
Dublin – Piglet Wine Bar
Connaught – Aniar Restaurant and Boutique Cookery School
Leinster – La Touche Wines 4 U
Munster – The Black Pig
Ulster – Ox Cave
All-Ireland – Piglet Wine Bar
Best World Cuisine
Dublin – Nightmarket
Connaught – MoMA Restaurant
Leinster – Pink Salt Indian Restaurant
Munster – Palmento
Ulster – Tuk Tuk Asian Bistro
All-Ireland – Nightmarket
Best Kids Size Me
Dublin – Michael’s Mount Merrion
Connaught – Gather Restaurant
Leinster – Platform Pizza Bar
Munster – GROW HQ Café and Food Education Centre
Ulster – Amici
All-Ireland – Michaels Mount Merrion
Best Local Food Hero
Dublin – Jenny & Patrick McNally of McNally Family Farm
All-Ireland – Mark Murphy & Mark Doe of The Apprentice Chef Programme
Best Casual Dining
Dublin – Hey Donna
Connaught – Gather Restaurant
Leinster – Truffles Restaurant & Wine Bar
Munster – Pilgrim’s
Ulster – Shu Restaurant Belfast
All-Ireland – Pilgrim’s
Best Emerging Irish Cuisine
Dublin – Craft Restaurant
Connaught – Tartare Café + Wine Bar
Leinster – Kernel Bar & Kitchen
Munster – SAGE Restaurant
Ulster – 28 Darling St
All-Ireland – Craft Restaurant
Best Restaurant Manager
Dublin – Talha Pasha of Michael’s Mount Merrion
Connaught – Lee Hanifa of The Cottage Restaurant
Leinster – Joanne Harding of the Aldridge Lodge
Munster – Sally O’Brien of Farmgate Restaurant and Country Store
Ulster – Saul McConnell of NOBLE. Holywood
All-Ireland – Sally O’Brien of Farmgate Restaurant and Country Store
Best ‘Free From’
Dublin – I Monelli
Connaught – Sweet Beat Café
Leinster – Zucchini’s Restaurant
Munster – Nutrilicious Food Co
Ulster – The Dirty Duck
All-Ireland – Sweet Beat Café
Best Customer Service
Dublin – Etto
Connaught – House of Plates
Leinster – Roundwood House
Munster – The Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge
Ulster – Harvey’s Point
All-Ireland – Harvey’s Point
Pub of the Year
Dublin – Walshs Stoneybatter
Connaught – Flynns Bar
Leinster – Morrisseys
Munster – Murphy’s Bar Brandon
Ulster – Tomneys Bar
All-Ireland – Walshs Stoneybatter
Best Chef
Dublin – Barry Sun Jian of Etto
Connaught – Jess Murphy of Kai Restaurant
Leinster – Sam Moody at Ballyfin Demesne
Munster – Aidan McGrath of Wild Honey Inn
Ulster – Chris McGowan of Wine & Brine
All-Ireland – Jess Murphy of Kai Restaurant
Best Restaurant
Dublin – Etto
Connaught – Cian’s on Bridge Street
Leinster – TwoCooks Restaurant & Wine Bar
Munster – Mews Restaurant
Ulster – The Muddlers Club
All-Ireland – Etto
National Winners
Best Private Dining & Club Restaurant – Locks Windsor Terrace
Best Cocktail Experience – The Sidecar at The Westbury
Best Cookery School – MacNean House & Restaurant
Best Seafood Experience – Klaw Seafood Restaurant
Best Digital Marketing – Kai Restaurant
For more information visit www.irishrestaurantawards.com.