2022 Award Winners CASUAL DINING AWARDS 2022

CASUAL DINING AWARDS 2022

CAFÉ-RESTAURANT: Margadh RHA Dublin

Floor-to-ceiling windows offer up bright, traffic-free views of Ely Place in the small and light-flooded Margadh RHA. Café by day and very special wine bar by night, this delightful spot is a very welcome addition to the Mamó stable, of Howth. Chef Glen Sutton serves delicious pared-back seasonally-led plates alongside exciting, good value wines. Kate Ruddy is the quintessential host, a welcoming industry veteran whose easy charm makes dining here so much fun. And, with a great location, exciting wines and a brilliant 8-course tasting menu, this may be the best value in town.

HOTEL: Dunmore House Hotel Clonakilty Co Cork

Home to the O’Donovan and Barrett families since 1934 and welcoming guests since 1948, this beautifully located and immaculately maintained hotel on Clonakilty Bay enjoys wonderful sea views from most rooms and is a real home away from home. Local touches abound and hands-on family hospitality is the trump card, twinned with the food experience - especially in the lovely Adrift Restaurant, but also casual dining in the bar and lounge or, in summer, on the beautifully located Sea Terrace, which are all perfect for an informal bite. Fish landed nearby in Union Hall and seasonal supplies from local producers feature – along with fresh produce from their own Organic Ocean Gardens, just steps from the kitchen in which it is prepared... A great destination when in West Cork.

NEIGHBOURHOOD RESTAURANT: The House Howth Co Dublin                                                                                                                                                               

Neighbourhood restaurants have long been the quiet heroes of quality-led and good value dining and, with the current focus on the cost of living and the environmental advantages of staying close to base, they’re now being valued like never before. Karl Dillon's chilled out bistro in one of Howth village’s most attractive old buildings is a good example, committed to local, organic and artisan produce. Quietly stylish, with local artwork always a talking point, creative cooking of moderately priced bistro-style dishes is served with flair, including a class brunch menu. This consistent neighbourhood favourite is a go-to spot for locals, so some favourites are kept on the menu, but innovative seasonal specials often include unusual, and effective, combinations of ingredients - and caring service and long opening hours also add to the appeal of a meal here. Well worth the short foray up from the harbour.

CAFÉ-DELI: Savoir Fare Westport Co Mayo

For such a small spot, Savoir Fare packs a big punch – café, bistro, deli, purveyors and makers of very fine food indeed. From the understated shop frontage through to the chic wine-themed interior, Alain Morice has created a little piece of paradise here, with more than a nod to his French father. The
café, with just a handful of tables, bustles with activity and lively chatter.
Seasonal, local and organic are the drivers: soup, Alain’s signature paté
croûte, a hot dish of the day - organic chicken with dauphinoise
potatoes and sublime gravy perhaps. The small deli has superb cheeses,
French style in-house baking and a seriously appetising selection of charcuterie, terrines and home-cured meats. An interesting and slightly eclectic choice of wines is offered, also platters and picnics, all well priced – and, on those special evenings, the Savoir Fare Supper Club too. Superbe!

BAKERY-PIZZERIA: Scarpello & Co Derry Co Londonderry

Having found a new niche during the pandemic, nourishing, well-priced and very tasty sourdough bread and authentic pizza are just the thing for a cost of living crisis too. A special place to seek them out is Scarpello & Co’s bakehouse and pizzeria on the west side of Derry - a proud development from the original sourdough bakery near Burt in Co Donegal, it’s become a favourite in a city known for its excellent food. An ardent supporter of Slow Food and the Real Bread movement, Kemal Scarpello was way ahead of the current rush to sourdough and he has always taken pride in using as few bread-making ingredients as possible - but of the very best quality, so Scarpello’s Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizza is produced on an additive-free sourdough base. With highly regarded chef Derek Creagh also on hand to create the perfect combinations, the gorgeous range of toppings showcases local produce - and there’s a short but tempting list of appetisers, sides and dips, plus more-ish desserts and great coffee too.

TEA ROOM: Burren Perfumery Tea Room Carron Co Clare

When touring Clare any discerning visitor would be pleased to find this charming spot. Although small and simple, the rose-bedecked tea rooms at
Sadie Chowen-Doyle’s famous perfumery are pretty, with floral
oilcloths, fresh flowers and mismatched crockery creating a happy riot of pastels. And blackboard menus proclaim the food philosophy: local and organic produce stars - and everything they do is simply delicious and made freshly on the premises.