Business at Ireland's most celebrated restaurant is on the up , with co-owner Patrick Guilbaud stating Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud was enjoying its best year since it opened 35 years ago.

The restaurant’s financial performance has improved last year and this year, according to Patrick Guilbaud, who was commenting on the company’s annual returns.

Recently filed accounts for Becklock Ltd, the restaurant’s parent, show accumulated profits at the business rose from €444,295 to €564,531 in the 12 months to the end of August 2015. During the same period, the company’s cash pile increased from €274,561 to €371,419

The famed restaurant is housed in the five-star Merrion Hotel in Dublin and counts two of Ireland's best known businessmen, Martin Naughten and Lochlann Quinn, as minority shareholders.

‘Strong, steady’ 2016

Mr Guilbaud said 2016 has been “very strong, very steady – it does reflect the economy”.

Asked if he had plans to open another restaurant, the 64-year-old restaurateur said, jokingly: “I’m too old for that.”

The 20-table restaurant employs 38. Mr Guilbaud, chef Guillaume Lebrun and restaurant manager Stéphane Robin continue at the helm of the business.

The three are also shareholders in the company.

Refurbishment

Mr Guilbaud confirmed the restaurant will close from Sunday August 14th to mid-November to accommodate building work at the Merrion Hotel and a full refurbishment of Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, from the restaurant’s front of house to its wine seller.

Mr Lebrun and Mr Robin serve as directors on the company and the accounts show that directors’ remuneration last year totalled €414,208, made up of €209,400 in emoluments and €204,808 in pension contributions.

The restaurant was established in 1981 and has retained its two Michelin stars since 1996. It was moved to its current surroundings from St James's Place in 1997.