Diners get plateful of awards

THERE were celebrations at many of our finest eateries recently, as seven Dublin restaurants took home top prizes in eight separate categories at the ninth annual Just Eat Awards.

Summer Inn, Swords, was announced as the GOLD winner in the Best Chinese category. Established in 2014, Summer Inn has been an integral part of North Dublin culture for many years now and is known for its constant innovation and creativity. It went viral on TikTok for its famous ‘Chicken Wrappo’, which uses ‘3 in 1’ ingredients in a deep-fried-wrap.

Thindi, in Northern Cross, was bestowed with the GOLD award in the Best Indian category. Highly commended for its delicious Indian cuisine, the menu is beautifully curated

Thornton Hall site to house refugees

THE Government is to sign off on a funding boost worth millions for refugee accommodation projects, and it is understood a significant portion of the Thornton Hall site in North County Dublin could be made available if deemed suitable.

The 156-acre site in north Dublin is owned by the Department of Justice.

Since 2005, the State has spent millions of euro on the site, where a proposed new ‘super prison’ was to be built, but never went ahead.

The move to make further funding available for refugee accommodation comes after Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman in January wrote to all ministers to renew his call for urgent help in finding vacant buildings to house refugees. by a team of experienced Indian chefs.

The Citywest Transit Hub, which has been used for emergency accommodation, closed to new arrivals in January.

It will remain open for all other matters, including processing of accommodation for Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection.

Last month, Minister of State for Integration Joe O’Brien said the State was facing a “pinch-point” over the lack of accommodation and that all Government departments need to work together to provide support.

The Best Burger category saw Hot Chix, on George’s Dock, scoop the top prize for its delicious Buttermilk Chicken burger.

Firehouse Pizza, in Ballymun, was on fire, winning GOLD in both the Best of Leinster award, and the Best Pizza award; while New kids on the block, Bo Bainne, at The Square, Tallaght, was awarded Gold in the Best Newcomer category, for its variety of delicious treats, from mouth-watering brownie and cookie trays to milkshakes and waffles.

Winning GOLD in the Best Thai category was Dublin favourite, Saba to Go; while wrapping up the top Dublin winners was YumGrub, who received the GOLD award in the Best Veggie category.