Five Island eateries have earned top accreditation in a quality assessment scheme supported by the Department of Tourism and Leisure.
The Taste Isle of Man scheme, which is geared to local restaurants, pubs, take aways and other eateries, entails annual inspection by independent assessors who assess every aspect of the customer experience.
This includes public areas, cleanliness, bar and restaurant, hospitality, service and efficiency and food quality.
Those who achieve the accreditation are awarded a ‘Quality Assured’ or ‘Highest Quality Assured’ sign to display outside their premises.
Following the most recent inspection, the following establishments received the 'Highest Quality Assured' accreditation: Copperfields Old Edwardian Restaurant (Douglas), the Garrison Wine & Tapas Bar (Castletown), Harbour Lights Cafe & Restaurant (Ramsey), L'Experience Restaurant (Douglas) and Tanroagan Seafood Restaurant (Douglas).
Meanwhile, the 'Quality Assured' accreditation was awarded to: Cafa Rosa Restaurant (Lezayre), HQ Bar & Restaurant (Douglas), the Peel and Port St Mary 'branches' of Harbour Lights Cafe & Restaurant, Imperial Dragon Chinese Restaurant (Douglas), Mount Murray Hotel Restaurant & Golf Club (Santon), Niarbyl Cafe & Visitor Centre (Dalby), Nobles Park Cafe (Douglas), Peel Fisheries (Peel),
The Liverpool Arms (Baldrine), The Pavillion (Laxey) and the Welbeck Hotel & Restaurant (Douglas).
Janette Heath, Proprietor of Harbour Lights Cafe & Restaurant, on receiving her accolades, said, "Harbour Lights is totally committed to providing quality service and food and are delighted to be recognised as part of this initiative."
Tony and Jill Quirk, Proprietors of long-established French restaurant L’Experience, said, "We are delighted to have been awarded Taste Isle of Man’s Highest Quality Assured status.
"We look forward to welcoming tourists and locals who, having learnt of us through Taste Isle of Man, are prompted to come along and try for themselves."
Geoff Corkish MBE, MHK, and Political member for the DTL, commented, "The Department is fully aware of the importance of the food and drink industry to our economy and the Taste Isle of Man scheme enables visitors and residents alike to have prior knowledge of the level of service they will experience in the high quality eateries on the Island.
"Visitor expectations are increasingly high and this scheme encourages all food outlets on the Island to raise standards.
"Our scheme, together with the ready involvement of local producers and food outlets working with us on the Island, offers visitors a guaranteed warm welcome and a high level of service."
A new directory will be available shortly from the Welcome Centre in the Sea Terminal and each of the high quality and quality assured establishments mentioned within it.
Pictured (l - r): Tony and Gill Quirk, L’Experience; Janette Heath, Harbour Lights Cafe & Restaurant; Geoff Corkish MBE, MHK; Glenda De-Yoxall, Copperfields Old Edwardian restaurant; and Joan Mowat, Tanroagan Seafood Restaurant.
