The Heron & Grey restaurant in Dublin's Blackrock village has been awarded a Michelin star in the 2017 Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland.
Located on Blackrock's Main Street, in between the market stalls, the small restaurant is the only in Ireland to be awarded a new star by the popular guide.
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Only having room for 18 people, the restaurant works out of a tiny kitchen, serving a €48 five-course tasting menu.
The eatery is named after owners Andrew Heron, who manages front of house, and head chef Damien Grey. Judging by their Instagram post below, they were delighted with the news: "Our biggest thanks go out to the real team behind Heron & Grey. Our wives Claudine & Jessica & our support from opening day in the kitchen, Roisin!
They say their restaurant "is focused on serving modern international cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere with a menu that changes on a bi-weekly basis".
Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland editor, Rebecca Burr, noted that this year's edition highlights "the rich diversity and variety" of Ireland's restaurant scene.
"Every year we actively seek out new candidates whilst reassessing restaurants already in the guide. Consistency is key," she said.
The addition of Heron & Grey to the Guide increases to 10 the overall number of Michelin star restaurants in the Republic of Ireland.
Others that hold their awards from previous years are the Two Michelin star Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud and One Michelin star Chapter One, L'Ecrivain and The Greenhouse (Dublin City), Aniar and Loam restaurants (Galway City), Campagne and Lady Helen at Mount Juliet Hotel (Kilkenny) and House Restaurant at Cliff House Hotel, Ardmore (Waterford).
In Northern Ireland, two Belfast restaurants - Eipic (Howard Street) and Ox (Oxford Street) have also retained their Michelin star status.
This year's Michelin Guide lists a total of 371 establishments in the Republic of Ireland and 74 in Northern Ireland, including many that offer overnight accommodation.
Martin Crummy
