Two Waterside eateries pick up awards

Brown’s Restaurant and Champagne Lounge picked up the Best Restaurant award whilst Ian Orr was named Best Chef 2011.

The Beech Hill Hotel received the Best Hotel Restaurant Award and also picked up the Best Customer Service award.

Two cityside dining establishments - Halo Pantry and Grill and the Metro - picked up the Best Casual Dining and the Best gastro Pub awards respectively.

The top restaurants in County Londonderry were recently awarded “Best in the County” at the Ulster heat of the Irish Restaurant Awards and will now be attending the final in the Burlington Hotel.

Guests on the night will be treated to a five course menu prepared by the winning Chefs in each of the five regions in 2010.

This year’s event will see Danny Millar - Balloo House, Garret Byrne - Campagne, Seamus Commons – Knockranny House, Paul Flynn – The Tannery and Eamonn O’ Reilly – One Pico, prepare a sumptuous meal for 700 guests at this glittering black tie event – a fantastic celebration of all that is great in the Irish Restaurant Industry.

Brian Fallon, President Restaurant Association of Ireland: “Since their inception, the Irish Restaurant Awards have cast a spotlight on Irelands hottest restaurants and chefs.They have become a byword for quality, class and achievement… The awards everyone wants to win.

“As a testament to their success, the entries have doubled since last year, with 6,000 nominations made for Ireland’s favourite Restaurants, Chefs, Gastro Pubs, Hotel Restaurants and Local Food Heroes throughout the Country.

“We celebrate the award winning cuisines and the great restaurateurs and chefs who have brought international recognition and accolades to the Irish restaurant scene.”