Three Irish restaurants have been awarded a coveted Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide, in its latest round up of the best restaurants in the world.
Cush in Ballycotton, Co. Cork, Éan in Co. Galway and Everett’s in Co. Waterford are the three newest Irish additions to the Guide, further establishing Ireland as a food lovers destination.
A total of 16 ‘Bibs’ were awarded across England, Scotland and Ireland ahead of the launch of the 2022 Michelin Guide later this year, bringing the total amount in the UK and Ireland to 122. Of these, 13 spots are brand new to the guide.
New Bib Gourmands Announced: The MICHELIN Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2022#MICHELINguideGBI #BibGourmand
Ahead of the full Guide launch, we take a sneak peek at England, Scotland and Ireland’s 16 New ‘Bibs’https://t.co/ofLtFRt5gb pic.twitter.com/3XUZq7h5b6— The MICHELIN Guide (@MichelinGuideUK) February 11, 2022
A Bib Gourmand, while not a Michelin star, is a mark of distinction for restaurants that serve exceptional food at reasonable prices, and is often an entry point for those looking to progress further in the Guide.
In an industry flush with award ceremonies and prizes, the Michelin Guide remains one of the benchmarks for excellence for many chefs.
The announcement of Ireland’s newest Michelin stars, and what levels they are, are hotly anticipated, with some speculation having circulated for months already – but for those of us waiting with our bank cards ready to book a table, the Bib Gourmands are just what we need to whet our appetites.
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Located right beside the working pier in Ballycotton, Cush is a family-owned and run restaurant and maritime bar, as well as an intimate guesthouse for traveling guests. Praising the spot for its warmth and welcoming atmosphere, the Michelin inspectors wrote that it is a “smart, modern restaurant” that is run by a “friendly, welcoming team.”
Taking inspiration from nature, 28-year-old Head Chef Dan Geurin draws from the freshest ingredients, taking his cues from the Michelin-starred kitchens he’s worked in, something the Guide picked up on too.
“Regional produce features in hearty, seasonal, modern dishes, with locally caught seafood naturally to the fore: choices might include grilled fillet of haddock with leeks, haddock fishcake & Ballycotton Queens in seaweed butter.”
Éan in Co. Galway comes from good stock, so to speak, as it is owned by Enda McEvoy, the head and hands behind the already Michelin-starred Loam, which also earned a Michelin Green Star in 2021 for sustainable practices. In Éan, the inspector wrote, there is a similar approach to “seasonality, sourcing and sustainability”.
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An “artisan bakery-cum-café, which morphs into a wine bar in the evenings”, Éan was praised for its pastries, sandwiches, soups and salads for lunch, while for the dinner run the team creates “creative, confidently executed dishes like squid toast with white miso & bonito, or lamb shoulder with cider carrots, designed for sharing. A natural, biodynamic and organic wine list completes the picture”.
Finally, Everett’s in Waterfood is committed to the legacy of the bistro, an “unpretentious, welcoming” spot at the heart of Waterford city, according to the Michelin inspector.
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It is housed in the remains of the 15th century John Collyn House, which has been “identified as the house of the eleven times mayor of Waterford James Rice whose 1481 cadaver tomb is preserved in Christ Church Cathedral and is one of the finest in Ireland” , according to the restaurant’s website. Food is served up in a richly atmospheric space but is comforting and satisfying.
“Sit in the characterful downstairs room under a vaulted brick ceiling to enjoy confidently crafted, flavorsome dishes like Castletownbere crab & gazpacho or braised shoulder of Comeragh mountain lamb with coco beans, carrot & smoked almond, which showcase the best of the Irish larder.”