Hidden gem is a term too often bandied around these days - but this one is the real deal. An architectural salvage yard is hardly the first place anyone would think of looking for good food - and this terrific café-restaurant is tucked away inside, with no exterior frontage at all.
The Storeyard itself is a glorious warren of rooms full of antiques and architectural treasures - a fascinating place and, of course, the main reason to visit for many people. But one of those rooms is Tynan’s Restaurant, which was has become a destination in itself. And, once you know what to look for, it is very easy to find as The Storeyard is well signed.
Opened in 2012 by Imelda Devitt (née Tynan), it has become one of the most popular daytime eating places in the town - where it seems to have been a closely guarded secret for several years - and is well worth seeking out.
Imelda is well known in the area, having worked for over twenty years with her late brother, Jim Tynan, in the much-missed Kitchen and Foodhall ('Jim's Kitchen') before opening here - and six of her ten staff also worked with her at Jim's Kitchen.
So it will come as no surprise to those who remember that delightful hub of good food and deliciousness that Imelda’s philosophy is simple: she uses top quality ingredients from as many local suppliers as possible, including her own garden, and everything is cooked from scratch every day. From breakfast through to lunch, or lighter bites and home baking, flavour and quality are the mainstays of this thriving - and most unusual - business.
It's a comfortable high-ceilinged internal space within the warehouse, part of it with a vaulted glass ceiling, and the windows look out onto the various rooms of the salvage store - a fascinating outlook and there's a great buzz as Imelda has had strong support from the locals so the people who come here tend to know one another.
It's self-service, with no need for a menu as everything is displayed in a well laid out food counter with separate sections for savouries, cakes, pastries, and the hot food – which might be breakfast, or main meals like roast joints, stew, lasagne and curries, depending on the time of day.
Appetising savoury foods might include pepper and goats cheese bruschetta and spinach roulade. along with a range of prepared sandwiches, plus panini, focaccia, baps and wraps with fillings such as chicken with stuffing and cranberry. Then there's homemade quiche ham with Carrigaline cheese, bacon and onion, and a range of salads (waldorf, potato, roasted peppers, couscous, noodles, pasta...) too.
Excellent baking includes old favourite desserts like bread and butter pudding or apple and mixed berry crumble, and treats to enjoy with a cuppa, such as Mars bar squares, almond slices, scones and all kinds of delicious cakes - chocolate, lemon, cream cakes and fruit cakes, they're all laid out enticingly to tempt you.
All this and great service too, from Imelda and her lovely local team - definitely worth a detour.
