Roscommon’s top restaurants were honoured at the Connaught regional final of the Irish Restaurant Awards 2013 on Tuesday night this week. Some of Roscommon’s finest eateries will now go forward to the national awards in June.
Popular Lecarrow restaurant The Yew Tree topped the list, picking up two separate awards on the night - for best restaurant, and best chef Aidan Murray.
The Abbey Hotel won the county award for best customer service, while the Douglas Hyde Restaurant at Kilronan Castle was recognised as the best hotel restaurant.
Best for casual dining was Bruno’s Restaurant in Boyle, while the best gastro pub title went to The Purple Onion in Tarmonbarry.
Connaught titles were taken by The Twelve Hotel, Galway for best wine experience; Sol Rio, Mayo for the ‘Kids size me’ award; Wilde’s at Lisloughrey Lodge, Mayo for the ‘Engaging with The Gathering’ award; and Oscar’s Seafood Bistro, Galway for the ‘Just ask!’ award.
In all, almost 30 restaurants and chefs were honoured at the prestigious Santa Rita/ LIFE Magazine Irish Restaurant Awards event, which took place in The House Hotel, Galway, on Tuesday. Each restaurant is assessed by a combination of a mystery guest, a regional judging panel, and menu judging.
All county and regional winners will compete for the all-Ireland titles which will be announced at the Irish Restaurant Awards in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin on June 10.
Speaking at the awards, chief executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Adrian Cummins, said,“Each year, the awards cast a spotlight on the brightest and best players on the Irish restaurant scene. The Irish Restaurant Awards are the awards everyone wants to win. We celebrate the award-winning cuisines and the great restaurateurs and chefs who are constantly bringing international recognition and accolades to the Irish restaurant scene.”
For more information on the awards, see www.rai.ie
