Restaurants to watch around the country
The new brasserie venture from Charles Guilbaud and his father, Patrick, a 120-seater on South Anne Street in Dublin 2, is due to open around Easter. It promises "diverse, healthy, modern European cuisine" in a spectacular room, the ceiling of which is expected to be five metres high. Fibre-optic lighting, a glass-fronted kitchen and moderate prices will be further attractions.
Itsa4, Domini Kemp's new restaurant on Sandymount Green, Dublin 4 (01-2194676), has launched just in time for Christmas, with the promise of straightforward food at down-to-earth prices. "If you can imagine a cross between Gruel, on Dame Street, and the Wolseley, in London, that's what I'm aiming for," says Kemp. Organic steak and chips will be a mainstay of the menu.
A revamped Cromleach Lodge, in Castlebaldwin, Co Sligo, will be opening at Easter. Moira and Christy Tighe's legendary restaurant is said to be reinventing itself in a somewhat more informal style.
A new restaurant will be part of a 1,600sq m (17,000sq ft) development by the people behind Greenacres, the wine and art shop, at Selskar, in Wexford town. Selskar already has Roberto Pon's brilliant La Dolce Vita, so this part of the town may be destined to become the food quarter.
Nobu, probably the world's most fashionable restaurant chain, is almost certainly going to open in Dublin this year. The question is: where? The Shelbourne, currently undergoing renovations, was a possibility. But it seems another major name is now in talks with the hotel.
Strong rumours suggest a relocation for Thornton's, which, despite amazing food and superb service (and frequent denials of a move), is failing to thrive at the Fitzwilliam Hotel.
An all-night bar and restaurant appears to be on the cards for Dublin.