Restaurant in profit despite recession

One of the country’s best-known restaurants, led by celebrity chef Derry Clarke and his wife Sallyanne, continues to trade profitably through the recession.

New accounts lodged by the Dublin restaurant’s Sudberry Trading Ltd confirm that the Michelin-starred L’Ecrivain recorded a cash profit for the second successive year last year. Mr and Mrs Clarke confirmed yesterday that the 2012 performance will be similar to last year.

The couple established the restaurant on Dublin’s Lower Baggot St 23 years ago. They said yesterday that they “are satisfied” with the performance of the company, which shows a cash profit of €78,309 after depreciation in the 12 months to the end of August last. The Clarkes said revenues took a 6% dip last year.