Success for Athlone's Thyme and Fatted Calf restaurants at Irish Restaurant Awards

Athlone restaurants Thyme and The Fatted Calf took home two awards each at the regional Irish Restaurant Awards yesterday (Tuesday).

The ceremony took place took place at the Killashee Hotel, Kildare, where county winners from across Leinster were revealed.

The Fatted Calf took home awards for 'Best Customer Service', and 'Employee Excellence', with the latter award recognising the contribution of its staff member Robert Dasiak.

Thyme, meanwhile, won both the 'Best Restaurant' in Westmeath award, with its chef John Coffey also being named 'Best Chef' in the county.

Multiple Athlone businesses received recognition on the night, with 'Best Restaurant Manager' awarded to Il Colosseo's Antonela Belviso, 'Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant' going to Glasson Lakehouse, and 'Best Use of Social Media' awarded to Garrison Coffee Company.

On the left bank of Athlone, Sean's Bar took home the Westmeath 'Pub of the Year' title, Bastion Kitchen took home the 'Best Café' award, the 'Best World Cuisine' distinction was awarded to Al Mezza Lebanese Restaurant, and 'Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine' went to the Left Bank Bistro.

There were a number of other local winners which included a 'Best Casual Dining' in Westmeath award for Dead Centre Brewing, while Glasson Glamping Pods was awarded 'Best Sustainable Practices', and 'Best Gastro Pub' was awarded to The Villager in Glasson.

Over 1,000 attendees gathered to celebrate the outstanding achievements of restaurants, cafés and food service providers across the province.

Now in its 16th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards received nearly 165,000 public nominations this year, submitted through The Irish Times, the official media partner of the awards.

Following the completion of all regional finals, the provincial and national winners will be announced at the All-Ireland Awards Gala Dinner on Monday, May 19, at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin.