Restaurants introduce new value menu

RESTAURANT owners last night hit back at reports of customers being ripped off as they launched a value menu scheme.

Irish Restaurants' Association of Ireland president Aidan MacManus said restaurant owners have been served up unfair publicity in recent weeks.

Mr MacManus, who runs the high-profile King Sitric specialist fish restaurant in Howth, Co Dublin, said: "There are hundreds of thousands of people eating out every day here in Ireland but all we hear about is the very small minority who have had a recent bad experience.

"Nobody seems willing to stand up and defend the vast majority who have enjoyed their night out or their simple lunch."

He warned headlines such as "rip-off Ireland" may highlight some unscrupulous players in the market but appear to paint all restaurants in the same light. He said such publicity could prove damaging to tourism by putting visitors off from travelling here.

Over 300 restaurants are to now take part in a nationwide "value menu" scheme, launched yesterday by Tourism Minister John O'Donoghue.

Now in its second year, the guide features restaurants offering lunch and dinner menus in three price ranges up to €15, €25 and €35.

Six major wine distributors have agreed to reduce their trade price across a range of wines to allow the restaurants and hotels in the scheme to pass the saving directly to the customer.

The participating establishments will offer their value wines in three price ranges up to €15, €20 and €25.

"There has been much debate in recent times about prices and value for money at all levels throughout Ireland, including the hospitality industry," said Mr O'Donoghue. "Some of the criticism is justified but much of it is not. We've heard a lot too about international price comparisons with the cost of eating out in Ireland. Some of these comparisons are fair but many are unfair.

"Ireland is not a cheap holiday destination or indeed a cheap location to do business. But when we get it right, Ireland can and does offer value for money and that is what today is really about."

The minister said the value menu was targeting not only visitors from overseas but also domestic customers.

Irish Hotels Federation president Richard Bourke insisted Irish hospitality was a match for anyone in terms of quality and value for money. But it was disappointing that unfair price comparisons were made between Ireland and other holiday destinations.

The minimum wage here was three times higher than in Spain, where you can buy beef 30% cheaper. Spain has no excise duty while our VAT rates were among the highest in the EU.

For more information, visit: www.valuemenu.ie