A GASTROPUB in England has become the first such establishment to obtain two Michelin stars, but there are no new Irish entries on the list of the best restaurants in Ireland and Britain.
Just six restaurants in the Republic have Michelin stars, unchanged from last year.
Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud in Dublin retained its two-star status, making it the only two-starred restaurant on the island of Ireland.
The Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore, Co Waterford, which gained its first Michelin star in January 2010 having only opened two years earlier, retained its one star as did Thornton’s, Chapter One, L’Écrivain and Bon Appétit in Dublin.
The Cliff House Hotel, which earlier this week was awarded three coveted AA rosettes by Automobile Association restaurant inspectors, is led by Dutch chef Martijn Kajuiter. Its general manager Adriaan Bartels said he was “thrilled and relieved” to have retained the Michelin star.
“It’s a great relief to be able to say that we’ve held it for another year especially as they have brought forward publication of the Michelin Guide from January.” Mr Bartels added that it was unfortunate not to see any new restaurants getting Michelin stars as there were some who were worthy of it. However, it was encouraging to see that so many restaurants had retained their rating given the difficult economic environment.
The Box Tree in Stepaside, Dublin 18, is the only new Irish entrant in the Bib Gourmand category, which recognises good food in value-for-money establishments. The Box Tree was opened by well-known chef and restaurateur Eamonn O’Reilly in November 2010.
A further 11 restaurants are included in the Bib Gourmand category including Fishy Fishy in Kinsale, Co Cork, Pichet in Dublin and the White Sage in Adare, Co Limerick. Three restaurants were dropped from the category, including La Maison in Dublin; Cafe Hans in Cashel, Co Tipperary; and Rosso in Dundalk, Co Louth.
In the North, Fontana in Holywood, Co Down, was a new entrant in the Bib Gourmand category, joining three other restaurants. There are currently no Michelin-starred restaurants in Northern Ireland after Deane’s of Belfast lost the star it had held for 14 years in January.
In Marlow, Buckinghamshire, the Hand And Flowers pub was awarded a second star. The pub was opened by Tom and Beth Kerridge in 2005 and received its first Michelin star the following year. A total of 13 British pubs have been awarded Michelin stars in the 2012 guide.
The Michelin Guide to Great Britain and Ireland 2012 will be available in bookshops from today, priced at €17.99.
