One of Ireland’s most renowned food critics recently discovered Tynan’s restaurant at the Store Yard, and it’s fair to say that she was impressed.
Sunday Independent food critic Lucinda O’Sullivan was on the look-out for antiques when she happened upon the Portlaoise restaurant.
“I love Drew Pritchard’s TV show Salvage Hunters. With the eye of a hawk, he trawls the UK and Ireland, from scrapyards to country houses to monasteries, for unique pieces to sell on to clients, who include Marco Pierre White. En route to Cork recently, we swung off the M8 into Portlaoise and The Store Yard, an architectural salvage and antiques business,” she wrote in her review.
“It’s big, almost like a film set, but, as we swooned over an Oriental tuk tuk, a christening font and some vintage clothing, I saw people slipping through a discreet door. Here I found Tynan’s, a really atmospheric cafe, where those in the know were ensconced between church pews and a conservatory, chowing down on Imelda Devitt’s delicious salads and hot lunch specials,” she said.
“Imelda worked for more than 20 years with her late brother, Jim Tynan, at his well-known Jim’s Kitchen. So, as well as architectural treasures, this place was a find in itself,” the food critic purred.
Of course the restaurant is no secret to locals who flock there for the array of hot food, salads, sandwiches and desserts.
Tynan’s Restaurant opened at The Storeyard, Portlaoise in September, 2012.
It is owned and managed by Imelda Devitt (nee Tynan) who had worked for over 20 years with her late brother Jim Tynan at The Kitchen and Foodhall (Jim’s Kitchen) which was another institution in the town.
Tynan’s Restaurant, now employs 10 people, 6 of whom were re-employed having previously worked with Imelda and Jim.
Philosphy
Imelda says her food philosophy is central to the foundation and growth of the business. All food is made from scratch every day. Much of the vegetables are grown in her own garden, supplemented by other produce sourced predominantly from local suppliers.
She says she was delighted with the review by Lucinda O’Sullivan.
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