The House Restaurant’ at the luxurious ‘The Cliff House Hotel’, Ardmore, Co. Waterford has been awarded 3 AA Rosettes for its superb cuisine.
‘The House Restaurant’ led by the Dutch culinary star, Martijn Kajuiter is now one of only 6 restaurants in Ireland to hold 3 AA Rosettes or higher. AA Rosettes are awarded solely for the quality of the restaurant’s cooking that demonstrates consistent standards of all dishes on the menus. Flavours are expected to be well-balanced and each dish appropriately presented using fresh and seasonal ingredients and the menu reflecting an obvious enthusiasm and commitment to promoting good quality food.
“We are delighted to be recognised by the AA with this distinguished award and the team are delighted to see that all their hard work and effort has been justly rewarded.” Adriaan Bartels, General Manager, The Cliff House Hotel.
Reopened just three years following complete reconstruction, AA Hotel Inspectors who describe Kajuiter’s cooking as being out on its own, were highly impressed by the restaurant’s finely tuned, seasonal and imaginative menus. The best of local organic ingredients all sourced from within a 30 mile radius of the hotel are used across the board at ‘The House Restaurant’. Chef Kajuiter’s passion for sourcing fresh quality ingredients is particularly evident through his assistance in establishing an organic vegetable and herb garden with St. Raphael’s Centre in nearby Youghal and the set up of his own on-site glass house for his micro herbs. Great emphasis is also placed on the sourcing naturally grown fruits, with lots of foraging of the seashore. "Working with seasonal products from the Irish sea and soil" sums up the philosophy at ‘The House Restaurant’.
‘The House Restaurant’ also boasts an in-house sommelier to assist food connoisseurs in selecting the perfect wine to accompany their dining experience.
The Cliff House is also physically spectacular. Sewn into the granite cliffs of Ardmore with balconies, gardens and terraces which trickle down to the bay below, it is a breath-taking setting in which to enjoy classical cuisine.
To specifically reach the very high standard of 3 AA Rosettes, a high degree of skill must be demonstrated in the cooking of all dishes, something which is evident right across the board at ‘The House Restaurant’ and a stunning achievement for a property which only reopened three years ago according to the AA Hotel Inspectors.
AA Hotel Inspectors also praised the breath taking sea views diners can enjoy from the tables at ‘The House Restaurant’ which are set with the finest glassware and napery. The formal but friendly service delivered by staff who are ready to look after your every need was also commended by inspectors.
“We congratulate, General Manager, Adriaan Bartels, Martijn Kajuiter and their teams on this tremendous achievement.” Says Conor Faughnan, Director of Policy, AA Ireland. “Having worked under luminaries like Michel Roux, Macro Pierre White and Pierre Kauffman throughout his career, it’s clear that Martijn Kajuiter has brought his own touch of magic to The Cliff House Hotel to create a true gourmet haven. It is imaginative and demonstrates great technical skill, yet the natural flavours of the ingredients are never lost”
In addition to superb views and cuisine, guests of ‘The Cliff House Hotel’ can also look forward to bespoke bedrooms which cleverly draw the outside in, mirroring the surrounding landscape through the use of natural materials and warm inviting furnishings.
The ‘Well Spa’ which features an indoor infinity pool, outdoor Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, fully-equipped gym, spa treatments rooms and access to a natural outdoor rock pool is another luxury guests of ‘The Cliff House Hotel’ can look forward to.
