NEWCOMERS IN 2014 - 10 OF THE BEST

 Every year on our travels we are delighted by the number and calibre of brave new businesses that have opened, with owners fired up by enthusiasm and determination to create a great experence for their guests. Here are ten of the ones we were most impressed with during 2014.

Harry’s Shack, Portstewart Co Derry

Coastal offshoot of the Doherty family's Harrys of Bridgend, it's a vibrant dining space with big picture windows looking out over the strand and the pounding waves - and the cooking is simply brilliant

Dennisons Restaurant, Waterford, Co Waterford

Much missed by Waterford food lovers since his lovely High Street restaurant, The Wine Vault, closed in 2007, restaurateur and wine man David Dennison has made a welcome return to the Waterford dining scene at this spacious modern restaurant that he opened in 2014 with his son, also David

The Square Table, Blarney, Co Cork

An attractive, neatly presented stone building in the centre of Blarney is now home to one of the area's most interesting restaurants, serving Irish food with a hint of French cuisine. Top quality seasonal local produce is at the heart of this venture, which is run by twin sisters Martina and Tricia Cronin - both of whom brought valuable experience in hospitality to their restaurant.

The Poacher's Pocket, Lisbane, Co Down

Ronan and Jennie Sweeney (Balloo House, The Parson’s Nose) have done it again, sprinkling their magic over this stylish reinvention of the former Lisbarnett House in Lisbane village.

Kelly’s Café, Drinagh, Co Wexford

The hot new daytime destination in the Wexford area, this bright and stylish café with speciality food and wine store in Meadows & Byrne is an outpost of the legendary Kelly’s Hotel and bears all of the parent business’s hallmarks of quality and originality.

Heather Restaurant, Gap of Dunloe, Killarney, Co Kerry

What a pleasure to find a restaurant focused on showcasing local foods of quality with care in one of Ireland’s most famous scenic destinations, where a lacklustre tourist experience could so easily have been the order of the day.
 

Brunels Restaurant, Newcastle, Co Down

Tucked away on a side street at the very end of Newcastle's promenade, Brunel's is a real hidden gem in this famous seaside town. You could easily miss it as there is no obvious sign, but the secret is to look out for the bright red door beside The Anchor Bar - where you'll find a menu discreetly displayed, and stairs leading up to a delightfully atmospheric first floor restaurant that's full of quirky charm.

Saison, Dublin 2

This has always been a talked about venue and current owner Alison Barker is bringing it right up to the top rank in the French style, with the help of Head Chef Graeme Dodrill (formerly of the excellent One Pico) and a talented team
 

The Salt Yard, Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny

Padraig Enright's atmospheric Spanish restaurant and tapas bar found a ready market and it has been packed since it opened in July 2014. The modern rustic-cum-industrial design ( exposed pipework and beams, legs of Iberian ham hanging from the ceiling in front of an open kitchen) and authentic food and drink philosophy is very much with the zeitgeist, and both the food and ambience have brought something different to the Kilkenny dining scene.

Rustic Grub, Clarinbridge, Co Galway

South of Galway city, Clarinbridge is most famous for its oysters and there is plenty of other good food to be found here here too - notably at Sherry's Bar, where chef Maria McNeela takes great pride in showcasing the best that the west has to offer at her café, Rustic Grub. Tucked in behind the busy traditional bar, this bright modern café is as unexpected as it is welcome and - whether you arrive on a chilly day and gravitate towards the glowing wood-fired oven, or on a fine summer's evening when outdoor seating at the back is most appealing - you'll be glad you found it.