2019 Award Winners ETHNIC RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 2019

ichigo ichie, Cork

There has been an ‘Ethnic Restaurant’ category in our awards since their inception in the early ‘90s. Originally interpreted as ‘oriental’, it now reflects the diversity of dining experience in contemporary Ireland to include all restaurants that truly represent any specific culture or cultures. In recent years there has been a sea change in terms of the range and quality of Ireland’s international cuisine - and, in 2018, the arrival of this small restaurant set a new benchmark that will further challenge the popular perception of ethnic cuisines.

Loosely translated as 'once in a lifetime', ichigo ichie offers Kaiseki, a traditional seasonal tasting menu consisting of a series of beautiful dishes. A particular highlight is the cold dishes - sashim, sushi - which are prepared and artistically arranged with great precision at Takashi's Kappou Counter in full view of a lucky few seated at the counter, who also get to interact with the great man himself. Takashi Miyazaki says that it was his ambition for many years to open a fine dining Japanese restaurant to match the reputation of his tiny Miyazaki takeaway on Evergreen Street - and, now that it is here, his excellent food, solicitous staff and beautifully crafted atmospheric setting make it well worth the long wait.