Kin Khao wins best restaurant in Westmeath

The discerning foodies of Westmeath and the Restaurants Association of Ireland have recognised Athlone's Kin Khao Thai restaurant with the 2010 "Best Restaurant in Westmeath" Award. At its annual President's Dinner at the Killiney Castle Hotel on Tuesday night, Kin Khao beat off stiff competition to win the award. "It was a long and tense night as we had been nominated in several categories. Keeping the best until last, the announcement of Best Restaurant was the final award of the night." The Award adds to the growing recognition Kin Khao Thai has earned over the years. Only last year they were finalists in the Food and Wine Magazine 'Restaurant of the Year Awards'. Along the way they have also garnered recognition from John and Sally McKenna's 'Bridgestone Best Restaurant', Georgina Campbell's 'Best in Ireland', Paolo Tullio's 'Taste of Ireland' and more recently a coveted recommendation from The Michelin Guide, the world's most important food and travel guide. Kin Khao Thai has also received glowing reviews in all of the national newspapers including Tom Doorley of The Irish Times, Paolo Tullio of The Irish Independent, Lucinda O'Sullivan of the Sunday Independent and Food and Wine Magazine. Proprietor Adam Lyons said the restaurant's ongoing popularity with the public and critics alike was down to a simple philosophy: "Keep it real, offer great consistent service and always look at ways of improving the product". Kin Khao will now go forward for the regional and All-Ireland awards to be announced in the Burlington Hotel on June 9. The Irish Restaurant Awards 2010 are sponsored by Santa Rita/Sunday Independent Life Magazine. Nominations for the awards were made by readers of the Sunday Independent Life Magazine, members of the Restaurants Association of Ireland and by regional judging panels. The awards were attended by 300 industry peers. All county winners will now compete for the Regional and All Ireland title which will be announced at the Irish Restaurant Awards in the Burlington Hotel Dublin on Wednesday 9th June 2010. www.irishrestaurantawards.com