Read Thomas wins at bar and restaurant awards

Pub chain Thomas Read has won the Best Multiple Operator award in the Irish Region at the Ireland & UK Theme Bar and Restaurant Awards 2008.

They were also nominated for Best New Bar, Best Drinks Selection and Best Bar Team.

The Best Multiple Operator Award was judged throughout all 32 counties of Ireland and the winners were announced on the 26th February in Belfast

All the winners automatically qualify as finalists for the Ireland & UK Theme Bar and Restaurant Awards Final. This takes place on the 17th June in London.

The Theme Bar and Restaurant Awards celebrates the best in the hospitality industry.

Now in their seventh year, they include four regional nomination parties and culminate in the Ireland & UK Final, where over 800 key professionals celebrate the dynamic and exciting industry.

The winners are chosen through a mixture of online voting, extensive canvassing of opinion from key regional contacts and mystery visiting. At the end of the process a winner for each category in each region is announced, with the four regional winners subject to further scrutiny and mystery visits prior to the announcement of the Ireland & UK Theme Bar and Restaurant Awards 2008 Winners on 17th June.

The four regions are: Ireland, Scotland, the South of England (covering everywhere south of Birmingham) and The North of England and Wales (this covers everywhere north of Birmingham and Wales).

The Thomas Read Group has successfully operated some of Dublin’s finest, cutting-edge and market-leading bars and restaurants.

Along with the original Thomas Read & Oak Bar, the group’s portfolio has expanded into different markets and includes popular venues such as Ron Black’s, The Bailey, Searsons, Lincoln’s Inn, The Globe, Ri-Ri, Pravda, Harbourmaster, Floridita Dublin, Thomas Read Smithfield, Thomas House, TRG Airport, Bodega Wine & Tapas Bar and Kingswood Country House.

They also run the Dawson Lounge, famed as the smallest bar in Dublin.

Recent additions including The Champagne Bar and The Winding Stair Restaurant & Bookshop prove the company’s commitment to leading the way in the food and drink sector.

The award winning Winding Stair Restaurant & Bookshop is situated on Lower Ormond Quay. Specialising in simple Irish cooking with an organic direction and extensive wine list, their latest award is the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand.

Its ‘unique’ atmosphere has been maintained and it still attracts many regulars who visit daily. The Winding Stair establishment is widely seen as one of Dublin’s hidden gems.

The Champagne Bar, located on the 1st Floor above Ron Black’s, is renowned for its large selection of Champagnes & Wines and its beautiful décor.

On the back of this, the Thomas Read Group has secured the ‘exclusive distribution’ rights for Henri Abelé Champagne in Ireland. This excellent Brut Traditional NV is true, highly-spirited champagne with distinctive floral aromas and a pleasing crispness.

With an expanding selection of venues, the Thomas Read group should expect even more success in the future.

Add comment February 29th, 2008

Much more than chilli con carne

If you want Mexican food with a twist, look no further than Cactus Jacks.

This elegant and relaxed restaurant first opened in 2002 in Galway. Quickly growing in popularity, a second branch was opened on Millenium Walkway, Dublin three years later. The addition of the Belgard Square branch of the Cactus Jacks shows just how popular this restaurant is.

The menu in Cactus Jacks is always creative, combining consistency in food quality and colourful plate presentations. With superior service and a friendly atmosphere, this gives their guests a gracious, memorable dining experience.

At Cactus Jacks, all the staff pride themselves on offering an excellent alternative to the standard fare with a contemporary menu successfully combining the very best of authentic Mexican cuisine with more traditional dishes such as steaks and seafood.

Cactus Jacks, Millennium Walkway, Middle Abbey St Dublin 1 Tel - 01 8746198
Cactus Jacks, Belgard Square, Tallaght, Dublin 24 Tel - 01 4514111
Cactus Jacks, Courthouse Lane, Quay St. Galway Tel - 091 563838

Add comment January 24th, 2008

Traditional and contemporary cuisine at the Unicorn

The Unicorn in Merrion Court is a famous name in Dublin’s restaurant scene, where it has served its citizens and visitors for over 60 years.

The Unicorn is an established rendezvous for the movers and shakers in society, especially for Saturday lunch when it is popular with political animals, media types, thespians, musicians and playwrights. It offers a lively contemporary atmosphere with a sure-fire sense of occasion and a fidelity to Italian cuisine which is “religious” in its intensity.

Proprietors Giorgio and Jeff, who acquired the restaurant in 1995 from the family who ran it for the previous 58 years, believe in hands on management. The details of the traceable origin of the food are included on the menu. They monitor the quality of the food and its regional origins in Tuscany, Lombardy or Piedmont.

The outdoor terraced section of the restaurant which makes the Merrion Court a most colourful scene is a smokers’ sanctuary par excellence. Weather permitting, al fresco dining is enjoyed by non smokers to.

The Unicorn is a highly successful business which has expanded to a piano bar in a separate building and thriving retail outlet for Italian food. The professional staffs, including chefs Paul Skelton and Brian Farren, enjoy a well earned reputation for friendliness and efficient service.

Book a table at the Unicorn to experience the excellent Italian cuisine.

Add comment November 28th, 2007

Food and Drinks section

A new section for food and drinks in Ireland has been added to the website. The section lists some popular restaurants all over Ireland.

Add comment June 13th, 2006