Chef who represented Ireland around world set to open new restaurant at Tallaght Cross East

By Mary Dennehy

A KILLINARDEN chef is part of a positive move to rejuvenate Tallaght Cross East, which has been an empty reminder of the recession since 2009.

Once branded “Tallaght’s Temple Bar”, the prime location, which lies close to The Square shopping centre, Tallaght Hospital and the Luas track, was destined to be a busy square of hotels, cafés, restaurants, bars and retail units.

However, in 2009 varying parts of Tallaght Cross started to go into receivership – with the development losing two hotels, a Starbucks, Marks & Spencer and Captain Americas.

However, in 2013, Galway-based business the Comer Group purchased the then closed Glashaus Hotel alongside 345 residential units and commercial retail space across four buildings.

After nearly five years closed to the public, a refurbished Glashaus Hotel was re-opened in May 2014 – and was the catalyst for new life and jobs coming into the area.

Since opening, the Glashaus has been joined in Tallaght Cross East by Jeff’s Barber Shop, the Beacon Renal Centre and Hamptons Floor Store, which opened recently.

And now, a Killinarden chef who has represented Ireland in cooking competitions across the world has become Tallaght Cross East’s newest tenant – and is opening a quality coffee shop, restaurant and wine bar where Captain Americas once stood.

Originally from Killinarden and now living in De Selby with his partner and young son, Paul Phillips (33) is the chef proprietor behind Tallaght’s newest eatery, Peachtree East.

Due to open in two phases, between the end of June and start of August, Peachtree East will boast a quality coffee shop with signature coffees and handmade pastries, a restaurant and, on the second floor, a wine/cocktail bar.

Paul told The Echo: “I’ll be opening a real coffee shop with seating inside and out, and it will be quality coffee and cakes made on site by a pastry chef.

“There will also be a restaurant serving lunch and dinner and the menu will be made up of food we are all familiar with, but it will be produced at a top-end level in our open-plan kitchen.

“There will be an emphasis on quality with everything we do at Peachtree East.”

Paul, who was a head chef at the tender age of 21, hopes to create around 20 jobs initially – and has employed fellow Killinarden resident and friend Derek Hall to run the kitchen at the new establishment.

“Tallaght Cross has so much potential and, being from Tallaght myself, it’s great to see a revival in the area”, Paul said.

“I reckon that in 12 to 18 months this area will be busting and it’s because of this potential that I decided to open Peachtree East here.

“Tallaght needs this and I’m delighted to be part of the area’s revival.”

When contacted by The Echo, the Comer Brothers, expressed their delight over the opening of the new restaurant and also stressed that units, from 180 square metres plus, are available for letting.

To contact the Comer Brothers email info@comerproperty.ie.

For details on Peachtree East’s opening dates and recruitment drive keep an eye on the Peachtree East Facebook page.