A Ballina restaurant has been the recipient of two AA Rosettes for culinary excellence. The Pier Restaurant, located at the Ice House Hotel, Ballina, led by head chef Gavin O’Rourke, was awarded this prestigious accolade recently.
Two AA Rosettes are awarded to restaurants which offer additional technical skill in the cookery of food and attention to the selection of ingredients, setting the restaurant apart from others.
Inspectors commended O’Rourke’s solid cookery with its “innovative twist”. They also duly noted the team’s dedication to constantly review their menus to reflect the seasons and include organic meats. They also enjoyed its fresh seafood given its estuary location.
The guest of a two AA Rosette restaurant can also expect some additional dishes to be presented with the chef’s compliments, often a small version of a dish that reflects the skill of the kitchen, and that prepares the palate for the meal to come.
The Pier Restaurant at the Ice House is now just one of 106 restaurants in Ireland to hold one or more AA Rosettes.
According to AA inspectors Ireland has become a destination for dining with gourmet clusters appearing in Clare, Mayo, Donegal and Cork. “Over the past number of years we’ve created an industry where the mastery of technical skills required to bring out the very best in flavour and food combinations now matches the excellence of our ingredients,” the inspectors commented.
