Chef to recreate menu that served up first Michelin star

THE restaurateur behind Ireland’s first Michelin star restaurant is turning back the clock for one night only to recreate his famous menu.

Gourmands are set to flock to his Cork city restaurant, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, to sample some of the culinary triumphs which made Michael Ryan’s former Arbutus Lodge famous for over two decades.

Mr Ryan, who now co-owns Isaacs restaurant on MacCurtain Street, will host his nostalgic “Arbutus Night” in Isaacs on Monday, December 12.

And a portion of the ticket cost for the celebration will be donated to the Grace Nolan Foundation.

Special guests will include Rachel Allen, Darina Allen, food critic Ross Golden Bannon, as well as Declan and Patsy Ryan.

After a drinks reception, diners will be treated to canapes, followed by a tasting menu, cooked by Canice Sharkey, the former Arbutus head chef and now the co-owner of Isaacs.

The Ryan family bought the Arbutus Lodge in 1961 and converted it into a hotel and restaurant, opening it in 1971.

The restaurant quickly gained a reputation as one of the best restaurants in Ireland, which was confirmed when it was awarded the international Michelin star in 1974.

The food bible, the Egon Ronay Guide, awarded the restaurant one star in the period 1975-1978, 1983 and 1987. It was awarded two stars in the period 1979-1981 and 1984-1985, and it achieved the highest three-star ranking in 1982.

The Ryans owned the restaurant until the late 1990s.

“Isaacs Restaurant is celebrating 20 years in business in 2012 and it is only fitting that we pay tribute to the Arbutus Lodge and all of the people who supported us then and still support us today,” Michael Ryan said.

* www.isaacsrestaurant.ie or tel: [phone].