2016 Award Winners 'JUST ASK' RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 2016 SPONSORED BY BORD BIA

Rua, Castlebar, Co Mayo

 “Just Ask!” is a public awareness campaign that aims to encourage consumers when eating out to look for information on where the food (particularly meat) on their plate comes from, and encourages chefs to provide this information on their menus. The programme supports both large and smaller artisan suppliers, encouraging both Irish diners and visitors from abroad to support restaurants that are in turn supporting their suppliers. The Bord Bia “Just Ask!” Restaurant of the Year Award is chosen from the year’s winners selected for the Guide’s monthly e-zine.

Rua, our “Just Ask!” Restaurant of the Month winner in September, stands out from the crowd for many reasons - not least the leadership that two generations of the McMahon family have shown in seeking out and supporting the very best of foods from the region.

Going back to the time when Ann McMahon first opened the original business Café Rua, in1995, they have adopted a policy which has not only helped to build a reputation for the great home cooking that their two cafés are famous for - and, more recently, drawn customers from all over the North-West, and indeed the country, to their terrific shop - but has been crucial to developing the region as a food lovers’ hot spot.

Now operated by the next generation, siblings Aran and Colleen (although Ann is still involved), there is an absolute integrity about the way this family does business that is to be seen in every item selected to sell, or to cook, and the way that they so proudly shout about their valued producers and suppliers - most notably in the way the shop is set up, and also the ‘Mayo Mezze Plate’ platters in the restaurant - is a source of inspiration for everyone who deals, shops or eats with them and a point of pride for the whole region.