TWO Irish restaurants have been awarded rosettes in the AA's Restaurant Guide.
For the first time in the magazine’s 50 year history, there was a slight delay in the awards this year due to the pandemic.
So the wait for this year’s announcement been particularly suspenseful for the hospitality industry, which will be looking to attract customers ahead of the usually chock-a-block Christmas period.
This year’s guide, the 28th edition to date, features 1,700 restaurants that have all been singled out for "culinary excellence".
Out of all the countries covered, Ireland did particularly well as two of its restaurants were awarded 4 rosettes.
Patrick Guilbaud, a Dublin-based restaurant, and The Lady Helen Restaurant in Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, took home the accolades.
Patrick Guildbaud is a two Michelin Star restaturent located in the heart of Dublin, near to the exclusive Merrion Hotel.
It serves “contemporary Irish” cuisine with “French classical roots”, and is “acclaimed both nationally and internationally”, according to its website.
The site said: “Since first opening its doors in 1981, the team has been dedicated to the pursuit of excellence and delivering impeccable dining experiences. We look forward to welcoming you.”
Lady Helen, the other winner, is the main restaurant in the Mount Juliet Golf & Spa Hotel in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny.
It is a one Michelin star fine dining restaurant and its executive chef is Cormac Rowe.
The AA Rosette award, rolled out in 1956, “was the first nationwide scheme for assessing the quality of food served by restaurants and hotels”, according to the AA website.
“Our team of inspectors have an unrivalled wealth of experience in assessing quality throughout the UK so receiving the award is a huge achievement not to be underestimated.
“The Rosette is an award, not a classification: Rosettes are awarded annually on a rising scale based on a meal visit by one or more of our inspectors”, the site said.
