Hotel & Catering Review Awards Gold Medal Winners

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GOLD MEDAL AWARD WINNERS 2008

FIVE STAR HOTELS
The Merrion Hotel, Dublin 2.


FOUR STAR HOTELS
The Brehon, Killarney, Co.Kerry.


THREE STAR HOTELS
Killeen House Hotel, Killarney, Co.Kerry.


COUNTRY HOUSES & TOWNHOUSES
Rathsallagh Country House, Dunlavin, Co. Wicklow.


FINE DINING
MacNean House, Blacklion, Co.Cavan.

BISTROS
Bijou, Rathgar, Dublin 6.


ETHNIC RESTAURANTS
Saba, Dublin 2.

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CASUAL DINING
Ely HQ, Dublin 2.


CAFÉS & COFFEE SHOPS
Leon, Exchequer Street, Dublin 2.


WINE EXPERIENCE
Sheen Falls Lodge, Kenmare, Co.Kerry.


INDUSTRIAL CATERING
AIB Group Catering, Bankcentre, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.

INSTITUTIONAL CATERING
University College Hospital Galway (Aramark/ Campbell Catering), Galway


INTERNATIONAL HOTEL GROUPS
Starwood Hotels & Resorts


DOMESTIC HOTEL GROUPS
Hotel Partners

Maldron Hotels

From September, nine of the Quality and Comfort Hotels acquired by Dalata Ltd last year will be rebranded to become Maldron Hotels. The hotels, which have in excess of 1,500 bedrooms, are located in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Portlaoise and Wexford. The two properties in Clonakilty and Youghal, which are operated as management contracts, will continue as Quality Hotels.

Karina Dunne, Group Marketing & Sales Manager, states, “We are very excited about launching a new brand in Irish hospitality. This re-branding is not just simply a name change; it provides us with the opportunity to strengthen our mid-market position and create a strong identity for an Irish brand in both domestic and international markets.”

At Your Service

At Your Service is a brand new eight part series on RTÉ One presented by expert hoteliers Francis and John Brennan from the 5 star Park Hotel Kenmare.




They'll be giving business makeovers to a selection of B & B's, guesthouses and small hotels throughout Ireland that need urgent help with a range of different problems.

The Brennans bring years of experience of running a successful hotel and they hope to inspire others to up their game and bring in new business.

The Brennans' advice covers all areas; they look at staffing, analyze catering arrangements and suggest new menus, they inspect every room and advise about redecoration (both inside and out) and they look for new ways to exploit the less obvious assets of each property.

Francis Brennan conducts the main inspection and devises an overall strategy. His brother John looks at money issues, explores new marketing opportunities and suggests ways to develop in the future.

However, it's no easy challenge given strong competition from new hotel chains and the economic recession.

The owners themselves have also to be convinced that the Brennans' ideas are in their best interests and worth investing in.

Hygiene Scores on The Doors

Hygiene scores for London restaurants


How clean is the restaurant you‘re eating in?

Time Out dishes the dirt with the new Scores On The Doors ratings, but asks if the idea is as black-and-white as it might appear - as anyone who has seen the movie ‘Ratatouille’ will be aware, no-one is keen on seeing rats in the kitchen.

But is there the clear correlation between food hygiene and culinary excellence that you might expect? You may imagine they are inextricably linked, but this is not always the case.
80,000 secret council files on food hygiene ratings of places to eat and drink in London have recently been made accessible online to the general public, and some outlets have also posted their results in their windows – a ‘Score on the Door’, as recognised by the Food Standards Agency.

The top-rated (ie cleanest) places get five stars, and as the star rating drops, so do standards. Though Scores on the Doors is currently only a trial scheme, it is backed by the Food Standards Agency, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and the consumer organisation Which?, so pressure exists to make it permanent. These supporters, and the 25+ London councils currently participating in the scheme, say it’s great news for the customer, transforming poor hygiene in restaurants almost overnight. But if your favourite neighbourhood restaurant scored badly, would you still eat there? If you saw the sous chef wiping his nose on his sleeve or the new recruit in the kitchen was revealed never to wash his hands after visiting the loo, would you reconsider your dinner reservation?

The government’s Food Law Codes of Practice recommend that Environmental Health Officers grade food premises on a star scale of one to five, based on criteria including food hygiene, confidence in management and structural standards (including pest-proofing).

A ‘no stars’ rating indicates a failure to comply with legal requirements, including little or no appreciation of food safety, while five stars shows that the restaurant adheres to the very best standards of food hygiene. High-risk premises will be inspected every six months and the low-risk every two years. The numerical scores you see listed are like points on a driving licence – the more a premises has, the worse the record.

At the moment, premises are not legally required by the council to publish their results ‘on the door’, but this hardly matters as ratings can be checked here.

Is this too much information? Or should Scores on the Doors be praised for highlighting serious flaws in food hygiene, while allowing those with the best standards to walk tall?

One man’s ‘harmless little cockroach’ could be another’s salmonella, that the little blighter might be carrying when it wanders across the food prep surface on which your dessert is being lovingly constructed.

So, what happens to the venues that are the dunces in food hygiene class? Venues awarded less than two stars for Scores on the Doors can expect ‘enforcement action’ if things don’t improve – assuming they’re still in business by the time the Environmental Health Officer visits again.

However, given the national shortage of suitably qualified EHOs – there are currently 700 vacant posts in councils nationwide – the wait for reassessment could be lengthy.

Ten Best Irish Pub Walks

1 Lough Derg Way, Co. Clare

O’Brien’s Bridge, an ancient fording place on the Shannon, is a gem of a stopoff along the Lough Derg Way — and the gem within a gem is the Old Mill Bar & Restaurant. “The Italian is long gone out of me,” says Joe Sciascia, whose family owns the bar. “Only the temperament has stayed!” Head Chef James McNamara’s food has won numerous awards. Don’t miss their legendary steak.

Details: The Old Mill, O’Brien’s Bridge, Co. Clare. Tel: 061 372 020 .

2 Diamond Hill Loop, Co. Galway

The three-hour Diamond Hill loop summits a narrow ridge to views over the Atlantic Ocean, Kylemore Abbey and the Twelve Bens. At the foot of Diamond Mountain lies the Bard’s Den, one of the oldest hostelries in Connemara. Turf fires and trad sessions are only the half of it. The bar serves local crab, scallops and Connemara lamb, and boasts the only disco in Letterfrack.

Details: The Bard’s Den, Letterfrack, Co. Galway. Tel: 095 41042 .

3 Howth Coastal Path, Co. Dublin

Howth’s 7.5km cliff-top circuit offers magical views across the sprawling expanse of Dublin city. Vistas continue at the Summit Inn, where customers can relax within sight of Ireland’s Eye and the Mountains of Mourne. Good pub grub and a pool table seal the deal.

Details: Summit Inn, Thormanby Road, Howth, Co. Dublin. Tel: 01-832 4615 .

4 Sheep's Head Way, Co. Cork

This West Cork walk has been voted the best in Ireland by Country Walking magazine. The 55-mile route has numerous loops, but the official trailhead lies in Bantry. Here, Maurice and Colette O’Donovan’s Snug bar is a cosy stopover that includes homemade soups on the menu — the perfect tonic for weary calves.

Details: The Snug, the Quay, Bantry, Co. Cork. Tel: 027 50057 .

5 Causeway Coastal Path, Co. Antrim

Northern Ireland’s full Causeway Coastal Route takes three days, but the portion from Portstewart to Dunluce can be covered in an afternoon. From Dunluce Castle, the trail leads to the sleepy seaside village of Portballintrae and a warm welcome in Sweeney’s pub. A former coaching stable for the Leslie Estate, the restored bar’s seafood platter has been recommended.

Details: Sweeney’s Bar, Seapoint Avenue, Portballintrae, Co. Antrim. Tel: 0044 282 073 2405 .

6 Cavan Way, Co. Leitrim

A 25km route starting in Blacklion or Dowra, the Cavan Way ranges from Cuilcagh Mountains to megalithic tombs. If you’re finishing up in Dowra, head for Kay Rynn’s pub in Ballinaglera. “It’s a pub as you can imagine way back when,” says Alex Delimata of http://www.passport-breifne.com/. The hostelry also serves as a shop, post office, and the local undertakers.

Details: Rynn’s, Ballinaglera, Co. Leitrim.

7 Wicklow Way, Co. Wicklow

The Knockree to Roundwood section of the Wicklow Way is an 18km hike taking in Glencree valley, Powerscourt Waterfall and Djouce Mountain, before descending through Ballinastoe Woods towards Roundwood. Here, Daniel Day-Lewis’s local and Georgina Campbell’s erstwhile pub of the year boasts both a cosy snug and a zingy Hungarian goulash.

Details: Roundwood Inn, Roundwood, Co. Wicklow. Tel: 01-281 8107 .

8 Carron Loop, Co. Clare

Carron village lies in the heart of the Burren. Its walking loop, featuring Termon, Clab Valley and St Fachtnan’s Holy Well, begins and ends at Cassidy’s Pub, a family establishment since 1830. The building was once a RIC barracks, though today bursts with music and cheer.

Details: Cassidy’s, Carron, Co. Clare. Tel: 065 708 9109 ; cassidyspub.com.

9 Kerry Way, Co. Kerry

Ireland’s longest signposted walking trail passes its fair share of pubs, but the Smugglers’ Inn in Waterville is one of the best. A restored farmhouse overlooking a sandy beach, Ballinskelligs Bay and the McGillycuddy Reeks, seafood and shellfish are the chef’s specialities. “If you’re coming off the trail, it’s a nice place to rest,” says the proprietor.

Details: Smugglers’ Inn, Cliff Road, Waterville, Co. Kerry. Tel: 066 947 4330 .

10 Slieve Foy Loop, Co. Louth

This is a tough 10km walk rising above Carlingford, but the reward is sublime views over the Lough and the Mountains of Mourne. The walk begins at the tourist office, and can be ended at PJ O’Hare’s Anchor Bar. Time your visit right, and you could be in town for the Oyster, Jazz and Blues Festival (September 6-8).

Details: O’Hare’s, Tholsel Street, Carlingford, Co. Louth. Tel: 042 937 3106 .

Salmonella Case In Canada Linked To Tomatoes

OTTAWA - A Canadian has tested positive for salmonella after a U.S. health alert was issued following an outbreak in April of salmonella poisoning from tomatoes south of the border.

Public Health Agency of Canada officials said Friday that a 33-year-old man from Ontario had travelled to the U.S. and was found to have the same strain of salmonella that infected hundreds of Americans.

"We still have little details and we are working with the province to gather that information," said agency spokesperson Philippe Brideau. "It seems the person travelled to the U.S. The risk to Canadians is very low."

Brideau could not say where in Ontario the infected man lived or the condition of the patient.
"We advise Canadian travelling to the U.S. to be very careful about (tomatoes) and salmonella."

Cliffhanger: Ireland’s most intriguing hotel

A narrow country road meandering along rugged Helvick Head leads to the Cliff House Hotel, a romantic hideaway nestling in an unspoilt pocket of Waterford. It's one of the most dramatically located hotels in the country, clinging on to sheer rock on a hill above the seaside village of Ardmore.

At first sight, it seems almost part of the cliff with its moss-covered roofs, slate terraces and discreet balconies which slope down to the water's edge.



The hotel stands on the site of a derelict lodging house of the same name, which was demolished to make way for this architectural gem spanning seven floors.

Room to book

The beauty of the Cliff House is its closeness to the sea. There are 39 rooms but make sure to book one with a veranda, perfect for late-night star gazing and mid-afternoon naps. With nothing between you and miles of blue ocean, you could easily believe you're on a cruise ship. Keep your eye fixed on the bay and you might spot the resident family of dolphins playing in the waves.
Our stylish room was wrapped in vibrant shades of pink, with a king-sized bed, plump sofa and two giant flat screen TVs, which stayed switched off for the duration of our visit, unable to compete with the stunning views from the balcony. If you want to splash out, the plush Cliff Veranda suites are split-level in style, with a living area downstairs plus bedroom and roof terrace upstairs. Mosaic- tiled, glass-walled bathrooms edge onto the balcony, allowing guests to shower overlooking the sea.

The food

Roasted Helvick prawns, Ardmore Bay lobster and Dingle Bay crab - seafood is king at the Cliff House. A neighbouring diner was so impressed with her Helvick turbot fillet, served with linguine, cauliflower pureé and brown butter sauce, she commissioned a waitress to take a menu to the kitchen and have it autographed by the head chef. The man himself is Dutchman Martijn Kajuiter, who honed his skills working with Michel Roux and Marco Pierre White.

A three-course dinner costs €62.50, including coffee and petit fours. Breakfast, served from 7am-11am, is a feast of lemon honey porridge, fresh fruit served with Glenlinen yoghurt and fresh waffles with local strawberries. On a fine day, it's lovely to dine al-fresco before setting off on a stroll through the countryside.

The pamper factor

A dip in the infinity pool offers brilliant views of Ardmore Bay but choose your timing carefully. On Saturdays, the hotel's Well Spa gets busy but we slipped down before Sunday lunch and had the place to ourselves. Lie back in the outdoor Jacuzzi and breathe in the gorgeous scenery before taking the steps down to the hotel's very own natural rock pool. Finish off with an invigorating seaweed scrub peppered with sweet lavender or pure peppermint, which will brush away any remaining cobwebs.
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