A number of top Donegal eateries have scooped up prestigious awards at the Irish Restaurant Awards this week.
The awards, commonly referred to as the Food Oscars, are highly-coveted prizes honouring the best of Ireland’s chefs, restaurants and pubs.
The Ulster regional finals took place at the Lough Erne Resort in Fermanagh on Tuesday night, where victory was on the menu for many Donegal venues.
The Irish Restaurant Awards showcase the true talent that Ireland’s hospitality industry has to offer by acknowledging outstanding performers in the sector. Growing steadily from its humble beginnings back in 2009, the awards are now a five-month long process consisting of online public nominations, judging panels, mystery guest inspections and regional and national events.
Some 87 awards were presented to shortlisted nominees in nine categories. Here are the Donegal-based winners:
Best Restaurant – The Mill Restaurant, Rinclevan, Dunfanaghy
Best Hotel Restaurant – Lakeside Restaurant at Harvey’s Point
Best Chef – Colin McKee of Lakeside Restaurant at Harvey’s Point
Best Newcomer – 106 Atlantic at the Waterfront Hotel, Dungloe
Best Gastro Pub – Rosato’s Bar & Restaurant, Moville
Best Casual Dining – The Lemon Tree Restaurant, 39 Lower Main Street, Letterkenny
Best Customer Service – Rathmullan House
Best Wine Experience – Harvey’s Bar at Harvey’s Point
Pub of the Year – Nancy’s Barn, Ballyliffin Village, Ballyliffin
The All-Ireland final of the Irish Restaurant Awards 2017 takes place on Monday 8th of May 2017 in the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road.
There was a lot of pride and celebration at the event on Tuesday, with many Donegal businesses later expressing their delight on social media:
Eilis, Kathleen, Penny, Lorna, Thomas, Grainne Laura, Shane & all front of house team take credit for this one! #customerservice #foodoscars pic.twitter.com/aMCTylvAEp
— Rathmullan House (@RathmullanHouse) March 14, 2017
Delighted to win Best Wine Experience at the RAI awards #FoodOscars Congratulations @Orhan17785162 pic.twitter.com/s6EpxQKIrT
— Harvey’s Point (@HarveysPoint) March 14, 2017
Tags:So happy to win best casual Dining in Donegal pushing #donegalfood @restawards congrats to all donegal winners…#hometime pic.twitter.com/XVM0koRBPM
— lemontree restaurant (@Lemontree_lk) March 14, 2017
