LONDON, May 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Thistle Hotels has announced that just two months from its opening, the Crown Social restaurant at The Parc by Thistle in Cardiff has been awarded two prestigious AA rosettes by the association's independent restaurant inspectors.

The contemporary, restaurant in Cardiff; a joint venture between Thistle Hotels and Crown Hotels & Restaurants, is headed up by former Michelin-accredited celebrity chef Martin Blunos. Both Martin and his team, including sous chef Lance Keirle, were praised by the AA inspector for their 'fine cooking' and were awarded a standout score of 92% for their dishes.

The inspector particularly enjoyed Crown Social's unique 'sharing' concept; whereby diners are encouraged to sample different tasting plates together.  The Cardiff hotel restaurant uses fresh and local produce throughout the menu and a contemporary take on traditional Welsh dishes which was also highly praised.

The Parc by Thistle was also awarded an impressive AA merit score of 85% and retained its 4 star rating. In particular, the staff scored highly in the service category, achieving an overall service score of 90% and attaining the maximum 5 star qualifier rating.

Johnny Davies, director of the Monmouthshire-based Crown Hotels & Restaurants, said: "The two AA rosettes are very well deserved recognition for Martin Blunos and his entire Crown Social team who have all worked extremely hard first to create the Crown Social and then deliver this superb dining experience.  Crown Social now stands even more proudly alongside our existing fine dining restaurants; our Michelin star Crown at Whitebrook, near Monmouth and our three AA rosette Crown at Celtic Manor."

The Parc by Thistle's general manager, Richard O'Riordan added: "The whole team and I are thrilled to have been awarded such a high honour so soon after the Crown Social's opening. Since our launch night, the people of Cardiff have shown a real interest in what the restaurant has to offer as a different dining concept - now that we've been awarded these two rosettes, we hope to entice even more people through our doors and bring further success to the Parc by Thistle."

About Thistle:

Thistle Hotels is part of Guoman Hotel Management (UK) Limited which operates hotels throughout the UK. Thistle has 33 hotels across the country, many in city centre locations, including eleven in central London. With a selection of restaurants and a choice of health and leisure facilities, Thistle has something to offer everyone.

Thistle Hotels is the first hotel group to achieve Hospitality Assured accreditation, across its entire UK portfolio. Created by the Institute of Hospitality, the Hospitality Assured standard measures the quality within customer facing businesses across the hospitality, tourism and leisure industry.

For further press information please contact:
Kymberley Hill
Thistle press office
Red Consultancy
41-44 Great Windmill Street
London
W1D 7NF
020 7025 6664
www.thistle.com

SOURCE Thistle Hotels