Restaurant of the Year |
The Vestry Restaurant Templenoe Kenmare, Co. Kerry |
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On Feb 27 1998 Martin McCormack and Mo Stafford of
the Vestry restaurant received the prestigious Les Routiers Restaurant
of the Year award 1998.
The photograph from left to right, Martin McCormack, Minister of State Seamus Brennan, a very happy Mo Stafford and Mr Noel Stewart of Les Routiers Ireland The following is a copy of the text in the Les Routiers guide. This year our 'Restaurant of the Year' is a quite exceptional and unique establishment located on the shores of Kenmare Bay and housed in a 200 year old Church! You may find the concept of a restaurant in an old church a trifle bizarre, but once you have seen the skill and style of the transformation you will recognise that here, indeed, is something rather special and a restaurant with a difference. Service is impeccable yet friendly, all controlled under the watchful eye of manageres Maureen - alias Mo. As you would expect, the food is quite exceptional, and chef/proprietor Martin McCormack has worked extensively in France, England and spent time in Africa where he became interested in indigenous foods and styles. Hence you may say sample such exotica as kangaroo, ostrich and wild boar as well as delicious house 'specialities' such as baked stuffed turbot with smoked salmon and cream cheese, elusive wild game and local seafood all complemented by the freshest vegetables from the local gardens of Kenmare. Our inspector enthused over every aspect of The Vestry, from the spotless kitchen to the extensive and cosmopolitan wine list. As he says in his report ... "If you can't get it here, it can't be got!" - praise indeed. |
