By Alan Healy
Deputy Editor
A Derry bistro which opened up just nine weeks ago has been named one of Ireland’s best 100 restaurants
The newly-opened Primrose on Derry’s Strand Road was named on the list in yesterday’s edition of the Sunday Times.
Alongside Brown’s, which has been a permanent feature of the list since 2011, it is one of only two Derry eateries to be named as one of the Sunday Times’ best 100 restaurants in Ireland.
The list, widely recognised as the most prestigious in Ireland, is drawn up by Ireland’s top food writers, John and Sally McKenna of McKenna's Guides.
They described Primrose owners Ciaran and Melanie Breslin as ‘major players in the fast-developing Derry food scene over the past five years’, adding that both of the city’s Primrose outlets have become ‘bywords for beautiful cooking’.
“With the new bistro, on Strand Road in the centre of the city, they have moved up several gears, marked by the arrival of local superstar chefs Derek Creagh and Monto Mansour,” they said.
“The fact that you can take away great baking and coffee and return later for a special dinner makes it a true city destination,” said the Sunday Times.
Primrose is a labour of love for husband-and-wife team Ciaran and Melanie Breslin, who began by selling cupcakes made by baker Melanie in Ciaran’s butcher shops.
They opened their first Primrose in Derry with four members of staff in 2012, and now run two premises in the city – the restaurant on Strand Road, and a café bistro on Atlantic Quay.
Commenting, Ciaran Breslin said that he was ‘over the moon’ to be included in the list.
“Primrose has always been our passion, and we’ve put in long hours over the last six years to get to this point, but to be recognised as one of the best restaurants in Ireland after only nine weeks is just incredible.
“We started off in Carlisle Road six years ago as a wee tea shop, and to be acknowledged like this hugely special but also hugely humbling.
“Sally and John McKenna are so respected in food writing in Ireland, and we know this will make a huge difference to the business.
“It will make Primrose a destination for food lovers from throughout Ireland,” he said.
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