Ideally, any newly-opened restaurant should hit its marks from day one; surely it shortchanges customers to do otherwise? That said, I have always thought it only fair to allow a grace period for ‘bedding in’ before reviewing any new arrival. So why, oh why, am I reviewing Restaurant Chestnut on its opening night? asks Joe McNamee.

Do, please, come in and sit down, 2018! Extend your palm thusly, that Mystic Menu might divine your path over the coming 12 months. As always, this Al-Menu-nac for the year ahead begins with a brief look at predictions delivered in January last year, the hits and the misses.

The Menu is oft inclined to doff the cap to a pair of legendary Franks, Krawczyk and Murphy.

THIS week we feature two other Eurotoque award winners: West Cork Natural Cheese, and Frank Krawczyk of West Cork salamis.

THE Euro-Toques Association of Chefs was founded in 1986