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Since Kevin Thornton closed Thornton's in the Fitzwilliam Hotel in September 2016, all eyes have been on the site to see what's coming next, and now we know. Irish-born, formerly London based chef Andy McFadden has been lured home to open Glovers Alley in February. Marie-Claire Digby got the scoop for the Irish Times . McFadden has been working in London for the past 11 years for the Pied group, which includes Michelin-starred Pied à Terre and formerly L'Autre Pied, which closed in August. He was at one time the youngest chef in London with a Michelin star, and there are high hopes for his arrival home. He's put together a bit of a dream team with Philip Roe, formerly of Michelin-starred Fera at Claridges in London, as Head Chef, Ed Jolliffe, formerly Chapter One , as general manager and two ex- Patrick Guilbaud staff with Aoife Noonan as executive pastry chef and James Brooke as head sommelier. This will be very much fine dining, with a set lunch priced at €35-€45, a four or five course dinner at €65/€80 and a tasting menu at €105. Ambitious pricing for a city of this size, but if they fulfill their aim of becoming 'one of Dublin's great restaurants' (and presumably obtain a Michelin star next September) then people will be more inclined to cough up for special occasions or expense accounts. We think Dublin is somewhat lacking in fine dining options so this is one opening we are eagerly awaiting. Welcome home Andy. Glovers Alley is due to open on Friday February 2nd Book or find out more at: gloversalley.ie

The tenth annual Irish Restaurant Awards were launched today with lunch at Chapter One for the who's who of the Irish restaurant industry, Aiming to acknowledge 'outstanding performers in the sector', the awards are judged over five months, and take into account public nominations, judging panels, mystery guest inspections and events. The Irish restaurant industry currently employs 74,000 people, so if there's a sommelier, host, chef or food producer that you think deserves a nod, this is as good a time as any to give them a pat on the back and nominate them here . There are 21 categories that you can vote in, including new category, best 'free from', showing how obsessed we now are with what 'isn't' in our food, rather than what is in it. There are regional and national awards, and the winners will be announced at the Irish Restaurant Awards on Monday 14th May in the Clayton Hotel. Maybe don't book in anywhere too nice on the 15th - there will be hungover heads from Donegal to Dingle. You can read more about the Irish Restaurant Awards at www.irishrestaurantawards.com .