It's all in the name at this popular city centre destination - although Zuni is an hotel (‘boutique’ style, and offering a more youthful style of accommodation than other comparable establishments), the atmosphere is more restaurant with rooms: an oasis of contemporary chic in this bustling city, it is a long established in-place for discerning Kilkenny diners.
The restaurant is large and airy, overlooking a courtyard (alfresco dining in fine weather) and there’s a separate restaurant entrance so you don’t have to go through the hotel. There's always a buzz, which creates a rush of anticipation on arrival - and owner Paul Byrne is usually present to welcome everyone personally.
Well known Kilkenny chef Michael Thomas joined the team from Waterford Castle in 2018 and he has upped the game. He enthusiastically maintains the house policy of supporting local producers and suppliers, which matches his own philosophy perfectly, and his menus offer an exceptional range of completely diffferent dishes, so diners are spoilt for for choice and want to return as soon as possible to try other options.
Fish from Mag Kirwan in Goatsbridge Trout Farm, rapeseed oil from Second Nature oils in Urlingford, duck from Kilkenny Free Range and vegetables from Eamon Wallace are all among the local ingredients on his interesting menus, and the attractively presented food is full of flavour.
To start you might struggle to choose between Mooncoin Beetroot Cheescake and Goatsbridge Trout Tempura - or perhaps an unusual starter potato dish of Pommes Anna with Mushroom ragout or Wood Pigeon with Celeriac purée might win out, while wonderful main courses could include perfectly cooked Baked Monkfish on the Bone with pasta gnocchi, or an inriguing special of Local Lamb rump with deepfried Truffle and Artichoke ice cream...
Excellent desserts such as a luscious Lemon Meringue Alaska or the delicious Zuni speciality Chocolate Ball (filled with ice cream and honeycomb, with hot chocoate is poured over it at the table) round off a meal in this stylish restaurant perfectly - and the superb food is matched by very professional service and a great drinks list that includes a compact but well chosen wine selection and a range of local beers and cider as well as cocktails.
Menus to note include an early dinner menu which offers a good choice and gives great value for money - and an excellent breakfast.
Served in the streetside café-bar, breakfast is notable for the friendly, smartly-uniformed and well-informed staff, and the cosy café atmosphere as much as for the excellent cooking.The menu offers all the breakfast/brunch favourites, sometimes with a little twist (such as chilli scrambled eggs), but there are no gimmicks and its success is down to careful cooking, attractive presentation, attention to detail and great suppliers - Kenna's butchers are mentioned, along with Highbank farm syrup, and Zuni's own home made breads.
Many - both residents and visitors - would cite this as their favourite Kilkenny restaurant, at any time of day.
Accommodation:
Rooms are modern, with minimalist décor and all the usual hotel facilities - direct dial phones, air conditioning, iron/trouser press, TV, tea/coffee-making facilities.
