The Scottish Restaurant Awards 2009 took place in Kelvingrove Art Gallery last week. This was the second year in which the event has taken place and it was a bit like the restaurant scene’s version of the Oscars but with a few more drinks and a lot less crying when it came to the acceptance speeches. Nominees for the sixteen different categories came from users of 5pm who were also major sponsors of the event. From a shortlist of three in each category, the eventual winners were chosen by a panel of independent judges after they had made site visits to the restaurants.
Given the current economic climate, these are potentially chilly times for people in the restaurant trade. Fortunately, restaurateurs tend to be an optimistic bunch and the general mood seemed upbeat and defiant in the face of the credit crunch. Collecting the award for Newcomer of the Year, Ryan James of Two Fat Ladies at The Buttery spoke for many of his colleagues when he said that the situation was not as bad as some sectors of the media made out and that, in his experience, it was possible for restaurants to thrive in 2009. This got a huge cheer and at least half of the people present demonstrated that it was possible to clap enthusiastically with crossed fingers. Congratulations to all the winners who are listed below.
Italian Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by IPS Aloha
Bella M’Briana, Edinburgh
Indian Restaurant of the Year
Oriental Restaurant of the Year
Yatai, Aberdeen
Speciality Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by On Trade Scotland
Two Sisters at East Haugh House Hotel, Pitlochry
Family Friendly Restaurant of the Year
Chef of the Year – sponsored by Somerfield
Martin Wishart/Restaurant Martin Wishart, Edinburgh
Fine Dining Experience of the Year – sponsored by Business 7
Best Pub Grub of the Year – sponsored by Heinz
Chinaskis, Glasgow
Hotel Restaurant of the Year
Inverlochy House Hotel, Fort William
Best Customer Service of the Year
Rural Restaurant of the Year
The Kilberry Inn, Argyll
Urban Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by Matthew Algie
The Left Bank, Glasgow
Healthy Workplace Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by Health at Work
John Lewis / Partners Dining Room, Glasgow
Seafood Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by Old Pulteney
Grill @ Dakota Forth Bridge, Edinburgh
Newcomer of the Year – sponsored by Daily Record
Scottish Restaurant of the Year
The Kilberry Inn, Argyll