THE northern regional finalists have emerged in this year's Irish Restaurant Awards, which showcase the exquisite and admirable calibre of food available in restaurants and pubs across the island.
The last of four regional finals took place at Belfast's La Mon Hotel, where 90 awards were presented to the country’s leading chefs, restaurants and pubs, ranging from the high profile to the almost obscure.
The awards, now in their 10th year, covered a wide range of venues and the winners from each county were selected from the 15 different categories.
They were: Best Casual Dining (sponsored by San Pellegrino), Best Emerging Irish Cuisine (sponsored by Odaios Foods), Best Kids Size Me (sponsored by Dubliner Cheese), Best ‘Free From’ (sponsored by Peroni Nastro Azzurro Gluten Free), Best World Cuisine (sponsored by Aryzta), Best Restaurant Manager (sponsored by AIB Merchant Services), Best Wine Experience (sponsored by ClassicDrinks), Pub of the Year ( sponsored by Bushmills), Best Café (sponsored by Illy), Best Customer Service, Best Gastro Pub (sponsored by Coca Cola & Schweppes), Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant (sponsored by BWG Foodservice), Best Newcomer ( sponsored by Elavon), Best Chef ( sponsored by Nisbets) and Best Restaurant (sponsored by Tindal Wine Merchants).
There was also a special regional award for Ulster’s Local Food Hero, sponsored by Rewarding Times, which went to chef Brian McDermott.
Adrian Cummins, chief executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) said: “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.”
Armagh winners are as follows:
• Best Casual Dining - 4 Vicars
• Best Emerging Irish Cuisine - Wee Paddy’s Bistro
• Best Kids Size Me - Uluru Bar & Grill
• Best 'Free From' - Mulberry Bistro
• Best World Cuisine - Uluru Bar & Grill
• Best Newcomer - Clenaghans
• Best Wine Experience - The Moody Boar
• Pub of the Year - Grouchos On The Square
• Best Café - Uluru Bar & Grill
• Best Gastro Pub - Clenaghans
• Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant - Newforge House
• Best Customer Service - Mulberry Bistro
• Best Restaurant Manager - Claire Macklin of Digbys Bar & Restaurant
• Best Chef - Chris McGowan of Wine & Brine
• Best Restaurant - Wine & Brine
Derry winners are as follows:
• Best Casual Dining - District 45
• Best Emerging Irish Cuisine - The Sooty Olive Restaurant
• Best Kids Size Me - Amici
• Best 'Free From' - The Sooty Olive
• Best World Cuisine - Indus Valley Cuisine
• Best Newcomer - Primrose Derry
• Best Wine Experience - Browns Bonds Hill
• Pub of the Year - Peadar O’Donnells Bar
• Best Café - Warke's Deli
• Best Gastro Pub - Anglers Restaurant
• Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant - Beech Hill Country House
• Best Customer Service - Mama Masala
• Best Restaurant Manager - James McKee of District 45
• Best Chef - Derek Creagh of Primrose Derry
• Best Restaurant - Church Street Restaurant
Down winners are as follows:
• Casual Dining - The Lobster Pot Strangford
• Emerging Irish Cuisine - Noble Holywood
• Kids Size Me - Little Wing Pizzeria
• Best 'Free From' - The Dirty Duck
• Best World Cuisine - Tuk Tuk Asian Restaurant
• Best Newcomer - Brunel's Restaurant
• Best Wine Experience - The Poachers Pocket
• Pub of the Year - Ned's Bar
• Best Café - Haptik
• Best Gastro Pub - The Poachers Pocket
• Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant - Rayanne House
• Best Customer Service - The Guillemot Kitchen Cafe & Winebar
• Best Restaurant Manage- Saul McConnell of Noble Holywood
• Best Chef - Pearson Morris of Noble Holywood
• Best Restaurant - Noble Holywood
Fermanagh winners are as follows:
• Best Casual Dining - The Jolly Sandwich Bar
• Best Emerging Irish Cuisine - 28 Darling St
• Best Kids Size Me - Custom House Country Inn
• Best 'Free From' - The Kissin Crust
• Best World Cuisine - Dollakis Restaurant
• Best Newcomer - 28 Darling St
• Best Wine Experience - Lough Erne Resort
• Pub of the Year - Blakes Of The Hollow
• Best Café - The Jolly Sandwich Bar
• Best Gastro Pub - Café Merlot
• Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant - The Catalina Restaurant at Lough Erne Resort
• Best Customer Service - Café Merlot
• Best Restaurant Manager - Hazel Johnston of The Jolly Sandwich Bar
• Best Chef - Glen Wheeler of 28 Darling St
• Best Restaurant - Watermill Lodge Restaurant
Tyrone winners are as follows:
• Casual Dining - Oysters Restaurant
• Best Emerging Irish Cuisine - Restaurant 1861 at Sion Stables
• Best Kids Size Me - Oysters Restaurant
• Best 'Free From' - Dungannon Golf Club Bar and Restaurant
• Best World Cuisine - Dragon Garden
• Best Newcomer - The Moy Larder
• Best Wine Experience - The Brewer's House
• Pub of the Year - Tomneys Bar
• Best Café - Deli On The Green
• Best Gastro Pub - The Brewer's House
• Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant - O'Brien's Restaurant at The Mellon Country Inn
• Best Customer Service - The Red Pepper Restaurant
• Best Restaurant Manager - Ann Marie McMenamin of The Red Pepper Restaurant
• Best Chef - Tommy Mangan of The Brewer's House
• Best Restaurant - Oysters Restaurant
Antrim winners are as follows:
• Best Casual Dining - Shu Restaurant Belfast
• Best Emerging Irish Cuisine - Slemish Market Supper Club
• Best Kids Size Me - Coppi
• Best 'Free From' - Home
• Best World Cuisine - Yügo
• Best Newcomer - Bo Tree Kitchen
• Best Wine Experience - Ox Cave
• Pub of the Year - The Woodworkers
• Best Café - Established Coffee
• Best Gastro Pub - The Morning Star
• Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant - The Taylor & Clay Restaurant at Bullitt Hotel
• Best Customer Service - The Muddlers Club
• Best Restaurant Manager - William King of James Street South
• Best Chef - Stevie Toman of OX
• Best Restaurant - The Muddlers Club
