2022 Award Winners NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR 2022

Alumni Kitchen Table & Rooms Rathangan Co Kildare

This is always one of our most exciting awards … the ‘short list’ is anything but - and how could it be otherwise when the establishments under consideration are all fresh and new and full of enthusiasm? Recent openings have mainly been in cities, especially Dublin, so it is particularly pleasing to give recognition to an exciting new business in a much less obvious location.  

Although this unusual venture opened at an exceptionally challenging time, it conveys an air of serene confidence that is very relaxing. Offering an imaginative multi-course tasting menu twice a week, chef Philip Mahon and his wife Kathy have brought a new luxury dining experience to Kildare, serving eight guests around a communal table in their magnificent design-led kitchen. Drawing on Philip’s fine dining background, the high-end cooking is served against a leafy country backdrop in a beautiful contemporary home with four stylish guestrooms. Guests can sip an aperitif in one of two elegant sitting rooms before dinner, or in the peaceful garden, then take a seat
and enjoy the innovative one-man show. With delicious cooking, excellent optional wine pairings, a wonderful setting and a dinner bed & breakfast offer that is very fairly priced for the quality, this is a really special, exciting and fun culinary experience.