3 September 2026
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
A 5-Course Tasting Menu, Paired with Moët & Chandon Champagnes, at Rare at The Blue Haven, Kinsale
- When: September 18th
- Where: Blue Haven Restaurant, Kinsale
Rare at Blue Haven invites guests to a specially created five-course tasting menu from Executive Head Chef Meeran Manzoor, thoughtfully paired with a variety of Moët & Chandon Champagne by acclaimed sommelier Julie Dupouy, on Friday 18th September.
Each course has been designed around the character of a different Champagne from Moët & Chandon’s range — Brut Impérial, Rosé Impérial, Grand Vintage and Ice Impérial — with Meeran building the menu from the pairing outward, rather than selecting wines to match finished dishes.
Meeran takes a considered approach to pairing his food with Champagne, ensuring the spice and intensity of each dish never overpower the delicate flavours of the wine. Rather than having the Champagne sit alongside the food, he incorporates its character directly into the pairing, balancing spice, acidity, richness and texture so that food and Champagne complement one another.
He says, “When I’m building the pairing menu, I look closely at the balance of acid, spice and fat, and how those elements will work with the Champagne. Whether it’s butter-rich sauces, fresh citrus, a light coconut and shellfish bisque, or crispy garnishes that add texture and lift, every element has a role to play. I want the food to feel unmistakably Rare, with our core values and style coming through, while allowing enough freshness, richness and balance for the Moët to shine. Ultimately, it’s about creating harmony between the food and the Champagne, so neither feels like an afterthought, and both elevate the overall experience.”
Meeran Manzoor, Executive Head Chef at Rare at the Blue Haven Hotel, Kinsale, Co. Cork.
Photo Joleen Cronin
Guiding guests through the evening will be Julie Dupouy, one of Ireland’s leading sommeliers, four-time winner of Ireland’s Best Sommelier and a bronze medallist at the ASI World Sommelier Championship.
Speaking about the pairings, Julie says, “We chose these Champagnes because they each bring something different to Meeran’s cooking. The Brut gives us freshness and acidity, the Rosé brings a little more fruit and depth, while the Grand Vintage has the structure and complexity to work with his more layered dishes. The Ice works beautifully with spice, citrus and brighter flavours. What’s important for us is that the Champagne and the food feel connected — that neither one dominates, but that each brings something out of the other to create a memorable experience for our guests.”
Tickets for the tasting menu and Champagne pairing evening at Rare are €165 per person. With very limited availability, guests are advised to book early. For bookings, email bookings@bluehavenkinsale.com or find out more at www.bluehavenkinsale.com.
Follow Rare at Blue Haven on social at @rarekinsale for the latest news and updates.
About Rare at Blue Haven
Opened in 2020, Rare at Blue Haven is the Michelin Guide-listed restaurant within The Blue Haven Hotel. Located in the picturesque town of Kinsale, at the gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way, Rare offers an innovative fine-dining experience alongside refined Irish craft cocktails.
Rare continues to strengthen its reputation as one of Ireland’s leading dining destinations. In 2026, it won Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant in Ireland at the Irish Restaurant Awards, having also been named Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant for the Munster region. The restaurant also featured on several national lists this year, including 100 Great Places to Eat 2026 (Food & Wine), Ireland’s 100 Best Restaurants for 2026 (The Sunday Times), and the 100 Best Places to Eat List (Irish Examiner).
In 2025, Rare was included in a number of national dining lists, including 100 Great Places to Eat This Winter (Food & Wine), Top 14 Dining Destinations 2025 (The Irish Times), 101 Great Irish Restaurants 2025 (Business Post), and Ireland’s Top 100 Restaurants for Summer 2025 (The Irish Times).
In December 2024, Rare was added to the prestigious Michelin Guide for Great Britain & Ireland, where inspectors described the restaurant as “understated and engaging.” That same year, Rare won Ireland’s Best Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant at the Virgin Media Business Gold Medal Awards 2024.
Rare has also received further recognition, including Innovator of the Year for Munster and Overall National Winner at the Irish Restaurant Awards 2024. It was featured in numerous leading publications throughout 2024, including Lucinda O’Sullivan’s Hot 24 for Summer 2024, the Irish Independent’s 101 Great Irish Restaurants Guide 2024, Food & Wine’s Top 100 Great Restaurants 2024, and The Irish Times’ Ireland’s 100 Best Restaurants 2024.
In 2023, Meeran Manzoor achieved a remarkable double accolade, winning Gold for Ireland’s Chef of the Year at the Virgin Media Business Gold Medal Awards 2023, following his Silver award in the same category in 2022.
About Moët & Chandon
From royal court to red carpet, Studio 54 to Grand Slams, Moët & Chandon has been bringing people together around thrilling, extraordinary moments. Easy to love, each creation – from the iconic Moët Impérial to the refined Grand Vintage Collection, the glamorous Moët Rosé Impérial to the refreshing Moët Ice Impérial – dazzles and delights with a broad spectrum of flavours and aromas to capture the astonishing breadth of its terroir. For nearly three centuries, Moët & Chandon has been the Champagne of choice to mark both significant events in history and personal celebrations, enhancing each toast with the spark of effervescence.