It was only 11 a.m., but brunch for the chefs and restaurateurs was lavish. Highlights included marinated tropical fruit with passion fruit sorbet, eggs florentine with char su pork on yam mash and grilled zucchini, and pancakes and cream. Coffee, tea, whiskey and champagne were on offer too.
This was the fare when the nominees in the Bushmills Malt Irish Restaurant Awards 2003 gathered in the Four Seasons Hotel, in Dublin this week.
Restaurant owners from all over Ireland voted for their favourite restaurants and chefs, in seven different categories, while the eighth category - best value menu - was voted for by viewers of TV3's Ireland AM programme. This is the fifth year of the awards.
John O'Sullivan and his wife, Angela, of Roly's Bistro in Ballsbridge, along with the restaurant's executive chef, Paul Cartwright, received the award for best Dublin restaurant.
The best restaurant award nationally (outside Dublin) was presented to the Fishy Fishy Café in Kinsale, owned by Martin Shanahan, which, he says, is now in its fourth season in business.
Ciarán and Maureen Redmond, who have run Andy's Restaurant and Bar in Monaghan town for 20 years, were presented with the award for best value menu outside of Dublin. According to Ciarán Redmond, the key to success is, "it's got to be friendly, and got to be value for money and it's got to be consistent."
The Old Presbytery in Killarney, owned by Gerry Browne and his partner, Mary Rose Hickey, was among those nominated in the best restaurant category nationally (outside Dublin). The three-floor Georgian building, located across from St Mary's Cathedral, has been open for two years. Samantha Leslie, of Castle Leslie, accepted the award for best restaurant service outside Dublin.
There were 16 awards in total, including best chef for Dublin and nationally - which went to Terry McCoy of Redbank in Skerries and Antonio Cavaliere of Rinuccini in Kilkenny, respectively. The awards were presented by Tom Mythen, president of the Restaurant Association of Ireland and Jim Cummins of Irish Distillers Ltd Wines and Spirits.