THE LUCINDA AWARDS FOR 2009
Tuesday 29 December 2009
‘The Lucinda’s 2009’
THE DISAPPEARING AWARD
Dylan McGrath’s Mint Restaurant where friend Rena and I turned up for our booking to find the place locked and deserted. Unlike Christmas there was no Star in the East – it seemed to have gone West. Where is he now?
THE DESPERATE DAN AWARD
Jo’Burgers in Blackrock where the Dandy and the Beano Comic Book Menus fell flat on their face. Perhaps the genteel residents of Blackrock and environs would have preferred Cowpie to Jo’s Burgers.
THE TIGHT SHIP AWARD
Admiral Restaurant. Having ordered lavish aperitifs, starters, mains, and wine for two, in this nautical themed Russian Restaurant, we asked to pay for a half portion of his Vareniki Admiral so we could sample it. We were told “Niet” so Carmen and I left without getting our teeth into his dumplings!
THE BIGGEST SURPRISE AWARD
Having eaten well and plenty at L’Ecrivain on Derry Clarke’s revised lunch menu getting a bill for only €25 each for food.
THE HOW TO PAY AWARD
O’Brien’s Chop House Lismore. Having spoken to at least four staff members, and read all the notices available before we sat down to dine, we were faced on completion with a grinning proprietor claiming “mea culpa” with the news that they didn’t accept credit cards.
THE FATIMA AWARD
Il Segreto – with their prices on my visit I thought they had found the secret of making money but unfortunately it seems, like Fatima, the The Secret was not revealed to them for they are now in the process of converting to a Café.
STAR OF INDIA AWARD
Asheesh Dewan - whose group of Indian restaurants includes the fabulous Ananda at Dundrum Shopping Centre, Chakra in Greystones, and Jaipur’s in Dalkey, Malahide, Georges Street and Ongar – and who maintains a fantastically high standard of food and service.
THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL AWARD
‘The seek him here, they seek him there, the diners seek him everywhere, where is he cooking, who can tell, that damned elusive Pimpernel.’ Is Olivier Quenet at his La Maison, or Oliver’s Eatery or Oliver’s at O’Briens…where next? Will he soon have as many restaurants as Gordon Ramsey….
THE ON YOUR BIKE AWARD
Jay Bourke who was not only making sure his new delivery service at CaféDeliBar Ranelagh was up to speed – he did deliveries himself on a bike. Full marks – Jay would obviously not ask anyone to do something he wouldn’t do himself.
THE HOTLINE AWARD AWARD
La Serre Restaurant at Lyons Village where after multiple efforts nobody bothered to answer the telephone during opening hours. “Sorry about that” was the glib response we got from ‘the suit’ when we then arrived on spec to find plenty of available tables. Were we surprised? Pity because the food was superb.
THE GOOD FAIRY AWARD
Johnny Ronan who waved his magic wand and bailed out Ronan Ryan’s Town Bar & Grill. Did Glenda really like it that much – the restaurant that is!
WHERE BUDGETS BEGIN AWARD
The lovely Fota Island Resort Hotel & Spa where Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan spent last New Year. I wonder did he visit the Fota Wildlife Park next door because so many people say he made a cow’s ass of the Budget.
THE HOME BIRD AWARD
Food at Kevin Thornton’s “Menu” Restaurant at the Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast was pretty sparse – it didn’t travel well – perhaps he needs to turn up the Heat.
THE GANGSTER AWARD
Ex Town Bar & Grill Chef Temple Garner’s “Dillinger’s” has become the Robin Hood of Ranelagh feeding the natives with honest food, fair prices, and good service – no holdups!
THE ELSA MAXWELL AWARD
The legendary American Society Hostess would have been proud of Joe and Margaret Scally’s fantastic recession busting Christmas Party where customers’ families were entertained at their Hayfield Manor Hotel in Cork. Gorgeous huskies, carol singers, jazz trio, bouncing castle, magician, and even Cork’s Lord Mayor.
THE GREATEST WELCOME AWARD
Meeter/Greeter “Aidan” at Lough Rynn Castle where golden balls himself Brian O’Driscoll and the star of the demised RTE show “The Clinic’s” Amy Huberman are due to tie the knot in 2010. This is one “Hospital” closure we can’t blame on Mary Harney – maybe the Botox figures were down.
THE COOLEST RECEPTION AWARD
China Sichuan at Sandyford Industrial Estate where we were told curtly to sit and wait for over a half an hour on little chairs in front of the headmistress’s desk!
THE J.R. EWING AWARD
Shanahan’s on the Green whose price structure is such that only Politicians, Bankers and Barristers can afford it.
THE GREAT BUZZ AWARD
Eatery 120 – Eoin and Brian Lennon have what it takes – cracking food, decent prices, and boy is there a buzz.
THE FRANK SINATRA AWARD
Roly Saul The Restaurant Dundrum – From Grafton Street to Trudi’s Dun Laoire to Roly’s Bistro Ballsbridge to Rolys@thepavilion to Dundrum Mr Saul has had nearly as many comebacks as the famous American Crooner.
SO LONG FAREWELL AUFWIEDERSEIN ADIEU AWARD
Lock’s Restaurant – so sad to see it close its doors. Theresa Carr, Kelvyn Rynhart and Troy Maguire gave it their all but three such talented people will rise up again.
BLAST FROM THE PAST AWARD
O’Connell’s Restaurant in the former Berkeley Court Hotel reminded my other half of the old Savoy Cinema Restaurant in O’Connell Street right down to the live music and retro décor.
SLICKEST VANISHING ACT AWARD
Floridita Dublin. They say that Cuban cigars are rolled on the thighs of dusky Cuban maidens – maybe if they had stuck to selling cigars and salsa dancing in their grey grim Abbey Street venue maybe Floridita wouldn’t have had to retreat to Havana.
THE FELIX AWARD
That cool cat Conrad Gallagher who formerly had Peacock Alley South William Street, Lloyd’s Brasserie Upper Merrion Street, Peacock Alley at the Fitzwilliam Hotel, CG Shaftsbury Avenue, Geisha Capetown, appears to have used up at least 5 of his 9 lives and is putting No 6 on the line by opening Aungier Street in this recessionary climate.
THE HELEN OF TROY AWARD
Must go to the O’Brien’s Sandwich Bars who are using the delectable Rachel Allen to re-launch their operation. If the sandwiches are half as tasty as the luscious Rachel they will be on a bonanza.
THIS WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE SUNDAY INDEPENDENT ON 27th DECEMBER 2009.