Athlone restaurant 'is Michelin Star standard' says TV chef

There was a time, not all that long ago, when the prospect of a Michelin Star restaurant in Athlone would have seemed pretty far-fetched.

Not so anymore, according to a TV chef, who was so impressed by her recent meal in Thyme that she felt it now deserves to be awarded the most prestigious accolade in the world of fine dining.

Chef and food writer Jeeny Maltese, who is best-known for her appearances on television shows such as RTÉ One's Today with Maura and Daithí, said Athlone has huge potential to grow and develop its reputation as a foodie destination.

Along with a friend and fellow food writer, Jeeny recently visited Athlone specifically to eat at Thyme, and her enthusiastic social media posts about the experience attracted an engaged response, particularly on Instagram.

Thyme has in recent years earned the 'Michelin Bib Gourmand' award, which is one step below a Michelin Star, and is awarded to eateries offering exceptional food at moderate prices.

Speaking to the Westmeath Independent, Jeeny said her declaration about Thyme's Michelin Star quality was not made lightly.

"Food is my life, and it's what I do for my work. So I won't say this lightly, but in my personal opinion Thyme deserves a Michelin Star," she commented.

"It has all of the elements. The food is outstanding. It's obvious that the head chef and his team have great care, dedication, and love for the ingredients and the food that they produce.

"The front-of-house, and the service, was just impeccable. I really believe it has everything, and that it deserves to have a Michelin Star. With the location, as well, it's a jewel in the heart of Ireland."

She said that, for a Michelin-quality restaurant, she found Thyme very unpretentious.

"I've been all around the country and I've been in other restaurants where there's a certain kind of snobbery, but there's none of that in Thyme," said Jeeny.

"The service was excellent. Really friendly, nice, proper Irish hospitality. That's the first thing I remember noticing.

"You were made to feel so welcome. There was nobody uncomfortable in that restaurant, everyone was really relaxed and having a great time.

"Then when the food came - oh my goodness! I was really, really happy.

"When I go to these fine dining experiences you sometimes get what they call a 'food hangover' for two or three days, because the food is too rich or too strong, but there was none of that at Thyme.

"The next day I was still thinking about the food and thinking I couldn't wait to go back again, it was that good," she said.

Describing elements of her meal, she spoke about scallops that were "cooked to perfection" and were served with accompaniments including discs of mango, something she appreciated as her heritage is half-South American and half-Italian.

Jeeny said a beef dish which followed "melted in my mouth" and had "incredible" flavour.

"Normally when you visit so many places you might forget some of the dishes, but I remember everything about Thyme," she said, adding that the prices were affordable given the standard of the food.

She felt that if the restaurant did become the first-ever Michelin Star establishment in Westmeath, it could help put Athlone on the map as a foodie destination.

"I get invited to take part in food festivals and foodie events all over the country, and I always thought Athlone's stunning location by the river would be perfect for a food festival."

She added that the Asian and Eastern European food stores in the town were another advantage, as they were places where people could pick up authentic ingredients for ethnic dishes.

"To me, Athlone is a perfect foodie destination, and people don't know it," she commented.

Jeeny, who has also featured on The Six O'Clock Show on Virgin Media One, will be back on live television from next month, and she is currently planning a series of 'Exclusive Dining Experience' events for food lovers all over Ireland.