THE AWARD-winning O’Brien Chop House restaurant in Lismore, Co Waterford, will close at the end of this month after four years of trading.
Owners Justin and Jenny Green said they had made the decision “with great sadness” but they could not keep the restaurant going. Mr Green said consumer spending was “gone, shattered” and the wet summer had made it impossible to continue trading.
“Unfortunately, the numbers of people coming through our doors have been less than expected over the last while.” He said the critical acclaim and awards for the restaurant had not translated into a busy off-season restaurant “especially in a beautiful but relatively remote part of west Waterford”.
As well as the 16 staff members, the closure will hit local suppliers, such as butchers and vegetable suppliers. Mr Green said the restaurant had always tried to buy local where possible and he regretted that these suppliers would lose the business.
Earlier this month it was announced that the restaurant had retained its Bib Gourmand in the 2013 Michelin Guide to Great Britain and Ireland. The award recognises great food and good value. The restaurant is also listed in the Bridgestone Guide’s 100 Best Restaurants in Ireland.
In the just-published The Irish Food Guide, John and Sally McKenna wrote that their dinner at the restaurant was “one of the brightest eating highlights of the year and yet one senses that for the Chop House crew, this gig is only starting, and that something special, unique and wild lies ahead”.
Mr Green, who also runs Ballyvolane House said that business had some very successful years and continued to trade as usual.
He also said O’Brien Chop House might open its doors again but it would have to be in a busier location. The restaurant will serve its final Sunday lunch on October 28th. Mr Green said he expected the restaurant would be extremely busy in the next two weeks.
