A new edition of the Dubliner 100 Best Restaurants 2003 was greeted warmly this week by those who love to eat out. Since the first issue was published last year, seven restaurants have closed, said Domini Kemp, co-writer of the pocket-sized book with publisher Trevor White.
The publication was a bestseller for six months last year, she said. "It's become the cutting-edge reference book," said Trevor Browne, proprietor of Dish and Tribeca restaurants. "It's disgracefully honest."
"It has taken on a life of its own," said Trevor White, adding that he believes some of the city's chefs have toyed with the idea of giving him arsenic because of it.
Friends, such as Yetty Giwa, of Absolute Accessories, and singer Lee Bradshaw, came to support the new edition. Others present included Ronan Ryan, of the Mermaid Café; John Healy, of the Four Seasons, who has become a recognisable face with his appearances in RTÉ's The Restaurant, and Gary Cahill, from Ernie's in Donnybrook, where Muhammad Ali dined during his visit to the Special Olympics.