Livin' la Villa loca at The Merrion . . .
It seem we really are a nation of romantics. That's if the reaction to the wonderful Villa d'Este dinner in the Merrion Hotel, Dublin, on Wednesday night is anything to go by.
Villa d'Este on Lake Como is reckoned to be not only one of the best hotels in the world, it is consistently named the most romantic.
Tom Cruise had attempted to have his wedding at Villa d'Este but his list of outlandish demands combined with the paparazzi invasion resulted in Tom being given the thumbs down. A regular in the bar most nights during the summer is gorgeous George Clooney whose villa is nearby.
Danilo Zucchetto, general manager of the hotel, was delighted with the reaction to the spectacular seven-course gastronomic tour de force prepared by two of his chefs, who were specially flown in for the evening, and who were assisted by the chefs at The Merrion.
A regular visitor to Villa d'Este and a wonderful ambassador for the hotel is Mary Bowe from Marlfield House, a highly respected luxury hotelier herself. Marian Finucane enjoyed the dinner and chatted with Tom and Mary Keaveny and Heather and James Morrissey.
Jonathan Irwin told me he and two of his children are taking the Queen Mary 2 to New York next month, along with Matty Ryan and Charlie Murless. The trip sounds a total hoot.
Louise Kennedy was just back from Ibiza where the weather had been perfect. She caught up with Christina Deeney, formerly of The Merrion and now director of Leading Hotels of The World, who had herself flown in from Doha.
Patrick and Christina Ryall were on top form; Christine was on tenterhooks waiting to hear the outcome of Christie's modern art auction in New York later that evening.
Given that a Francis Bacon had sold for nearly $60 million in Sotheby's on Tuesday night, things were looking good.
Peter MacCann, general manager of The Merrion, and his elegant wife Dorothy were delighted with the turn-out and even more so by everyone's reaction to the fabulous food.
