ONE of the good things to come out of this recession is the opportunity to dine in style and on the cheap.The latest Good Eating Guide to Ireland, launched last night by Arts, Sport and Tourism Minister Martin Cullen, features almost 300 hotels, restaurants and pubs that are offering flexible pricing, value menus and special offers. Portside Media has printed 85,000 copies of the guide, which will be available in tourist information offices or at any of the establishments featured.
Publisher Paddy McCarthy said the guide was available free of charge because the money had been generated from the cost of the entries, which were reduced by 25% this year, to encourage more eating establishments to become involved.
"Restaurants are responding to the current financial difficulties and have terrific value-for-money menus available now. There is a lot of business still out there," said Mr McCarthy.
Portside Media had been publishing the guide for past 19 years and, up to now, it only contained restaurants affiliated to the Restaurants Association of Ireland. This year the association failed to get a sponsor for the guide but Portside decided go ahead and publish the guide independently. Pubs and hotels were also invited to submit entries for the first time. At the launch last night at Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud Mr Cullen said the guide was a valuable directory of the variety and quality that is available in the hospitality sector in Ireland.
Mr Cullen said the tourism industry was a significant driver of Ireland’s economy, representing about a quarter of a million jobs and €4.8bn in foreign revenue earnings. "An estimated seven million people will still visit Ireland this year and that is a lot of business to compete for," he said. Mr McCarthy said the guide would also be at the website www.bestdish.ie, which would be up and running very shortly.
