Three Northern Irish restaurants have been added to the Michelin Guide for January 2023.
'The Michelin Inspectors' Favourite New Restaurants' list recognises the best up-and-coming spots across the UK and Ireland that boast great variety and come in all different styles but all united by one thing - great cooking.
Of the 24 new additions to the guide this month, three Northern Irish spots earned a place on the coveted recommendations list.
Read more: Belfast fish and chip restaurant only NI spot nominated at prestigious UK awards
Blank Belfast, Fontana Holywood and Artis by Phelim O'Hagan in Derry are the three newest restaurants in the country to be added to the guide.
This is what they had to say for each restaurant:
Blank
There is no menu, hence the name; instead, the kitchen prepares dishes using whatever seasonal Irish produce their suppliers deliver that day. And that means primary ingredients – which could include terrific venison or wonderful fish and shellfish.
Simply choose the number of courses – as well as the wine pairing package – and sit back and relax. Ask for a table by the kitchen if you want to feel closer to the action.
Fontana
A cheery welcome from the chefs in the open kitchen greets all-comers at this long-standing but reenergised first floor restaurant.
There’s an appealing flexibility to the menus on offer, with cooking that is crisp, modern and effective – and it’s almost impossible not to find a dessert that will take your fancy. The room is smartly dressed and lightened by contemporary art.
Artis by Phelim O'Hagan
Latin for ‘craft’, Artis sits in the Craft Village area of the city and is, at its core, a celebration of local produce and trusted local suppliers.
The two-roomed restaurant is serene in both atmosphere and decoration thanks to the warm service and neutral hues. Dishes are clean, contemporary and technically accomplished, and the desserts are always a highlight.
Christina Taylor, owner of Blank, said was delighted to be included in the coveted list.
She said: "When we opened in October 2021 we knew there was an appetite in Belfast for a high end food offer based entirely on ingredients sourced from within the island.
"That concept has truly caught on, our offer of local foods, carefully curated and proudly presented, has proven to be a hit with our customers from Belfast and well beyond.
“Inclusion in the Michelin Guide is a true vindication of the Blank concept and we are very confident that our restaurant will continue to grow in reputation, at home and abroad.
"Northern Ireland really is making a mark globally as a high dining destination and I congratulate Fontana and Artis in making the Michelin Guide as well."
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