Not one, not two, not three but four Irish restaurants have just been announced as the latest additions to the MICHELIN Guide – Great Britain & Ireland.
While The MICHELIN Guide distinctions – Stars, Green Stars and Bib Gourmands – are only revealed at the annual MICHELIN Guide Ceremony which usually takes place for Ireland and the UK in February, the Inspectors add restaurants to the selection year round.
A total of 106 Irish restaurants now feature in the Guide.
Here’s the latest restaurants to add to your must-visit list:
Forêt, Dublin
Located above M’O’Brien’s pub on Sussex Terrace, Forêt is a French bistro that opened late last year from the team behind Forest Avenue.
MICHELIN commented that “When you browse a menu and see words like ‘pâté’, ‘rillettes’, ‘vin jaune’ and ‘au poivre’, you know you’re in for a thoroughly French treat. The surprise at Forêt is that these Francophone delights are found above the M. O’Brien’s pub – which couldn’t sound more Irish if it tried.
“Nevertheless, thanks to the team behind Forest Avenue next door, here you have a delicious slice of France, with every authentic dish combining top-quality produce and skilled execution to flavour-packed effect.”
HERA, Dublin
What started off as a casual craft bar, JUNO, from the guys behind Crudo, Achara and The Fourth Corner pub evolved “after much soul searching” to HERA, which offers a new concept of classic comfort food reimagined, with Mediterranean flavours and a welcome focus on Irish ingredients.
MICHELIN highlights “Its menu has a pub-cooking base but is given some enticing international twists. Take the classic Scotch egg, for instance, which might come in a lamb and harissa form, or perhaps a chorizo version with preserved lemon and basil aioli. High-quality Irish ingredients, from Carlingford oysters to Achill lamb, underpin the dishes’ success. To finish, the brown butter and miso tart is a real treat.”
The Pig’s Ear, Dublin
“For a traditional taste of Ireland”, MICHELIN states, “you need look no further”.
Chef-Owner Stephen McAllister has dived deep into his grandmother’s recipe book and centuries of Irish history for the latest incarnation of The Pig’s Ear.
“The menu combines a love of classic, soul-warming cooking with a playful touch, resulting in dishes like “Boxty Pancake” and “Dublin Lawyer Lobster Omelette” – while the quality produce and careful execution are evident in full-flavoured options like the “Tongue ‘n’ Cheek Suet Pudding”.
Farmgate Lismore, Waterford
This beautifully converted pub focuses on local and seasonal dishes, with MICHELIN writing that “The sensibly priced menu comes with a prevailing ethos of fuss-free cooking and prime, locally sourced produce; look out for dishes with a certain comfort-food quality, such as liver and bacon, deep-fried calamari, or braised lamb shank. The knowledgeable service comes with such engaging charm that, combined with the terrific dishes, you’ll wish you could come here every week.”
You can see all new additions the guide here.
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