The Russell Hotel
The Russell Hotel or Hotel Russell is a defunct hotel located at 102–104 St. Stephen's Green South in Dublin, Ireland. The hotel had a fine dining restaurant that was awarded one Michelin star in 1974.[1]
| The Russell Hotel | |
|---|---|
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1880s |
| Closed | 1974 |
| Head chef | Pierre Rolland, Jackie Needham |
| Rating |  Michelin Guide |
| Street address | 102–104 St. Stephen's Green |
| City | Dublin |
| Country | Ireland |
History
The Russell Hotel was founded in the context of the temperance movement by a staunch supporter of the movement, Sir Thomas Russell, 1st Baronet. His son-in-law, Victor Marcel Charles Barrois de Sarigny, ran the hotel until 1929.[2] According to an advertisement in 1927, it was already a well known restaurant with a full license. Only after the takeover by the Besson family in 1947 was the hotel associated with haute cuisine.[3]
20th century cuisine
After the acquisition of the hotel by the Besson family, under the leadership of Ken Besson,[4] a number of French chefs were hired. The ITGWU objected to this, due to the existing high unemployment, but quickly reached an agreement on the training of Irish chefs and kitchen staff. Many Irish chefs received some their training here.[5]
In 1963, at the publication of the Egon Ronay Guide, The Russell Hotel was the only hotel in Ireland awarded three stars. In 1973, the hotel was awarded two stars, despite a decline in the number of stars awarded by about 30%.[6] The Michelin Guide awarded the restaurant one star in 1974.[7][8] Well known chefs at the hotel were Pierre Rolland, Jackie Needham and Roger Noblet. It was under the leadership of head chef Matt Dowling that it earned its Michelin star.[9]
Closure
The hotel was taken over in 1966 by the Kingsley Windsor group from London, who also acquired the adjoining former site of Wesley College. The group employed Scott Tallon Walker to design plans to redevelop the site with a large modern hotel, with office block on the site of the hotel. This was granted permission in June 1970, and the hotel was later closed ahead of demolition in April 1974.[4]
Notes
- Michelin Online
- The Cairo Gang website.
- Mac Con Iomaire. Volume 2, p. 214 and 215.
- McDonald, Frank (1985). The destruction of Dublin. Dublin: Gill and Macmillan. p. 255. ISBN 0-7171-1386-8. OCLC 60079186.
- Mac Con Iomaire. Volume 2, p. 253 and 280.
- Mac Con Iomaire. Volume 2, p. 269 and 270.
- Mac Con Iomaire. Volume 2, p. 346.
- The emergence, development and influence of French Haute Cuisine on public dining in Dublin restaurants 1900–2000: an oral history. Thesis DIT by Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire, 2009. 3 downloadable volumes. Volume 2, p. 343.
- Pierre Rolland: Ireland's First Michelin Star Chef. Mac Con Iomaire, M. (2004). Pierre Rolland: Ireland's First Michelin Star Chef. Hotel and Catering Review. Vol. 37, No. 12, p.45.
