"Having made his name with his eponymous takeaway spot, Miyazaki, Japanese chef Takashi Miyazaki, married to an Irishwoman and now permanently settled in Cork, upped the ante with Ichigo Ichie (“once in a lifetime”), his take on kaiseki served in a spartan yet utterly serene space. Here diners are treated to a seemingly endless procession of jewel-like dishes, combining complex elements and tastes with an air of elemental simplicity. The Michelin star arrived within months of opening. As Miyazaki continues to evolve and grow, the menu is increasingly studded with dishes that could read as haikus of praise to the superlative local produce: sakura-smoked Irish venison, hazelnuts, and Velvet Cloud sheep yogurt; Lough Neagh eel, porcini, Kilbrack organic carrot, and Leamlara Ivan’s nasturtium; Castletownbere black sole, Kilbrack purple kale, Vitabella potato, maitake, and chestnut tuile. The wine list favors organic and natural while the sake list is a hoard of liquid treasures. [$$$$]" - Joe McNamee
