Thornton takes over Peacock Alley site

Irish chef Kevin Thornton has reopened his two-Michelin-starred restaurant on the site of Conrad Gallagher's former Peacock Alley restaurant in Dublin.

The chef said the move, which has increased the seating at the restaurant, Thornton's, from 30 seats to 70, would allow him to develop with a view to becoming Ireland's first three-star chef.

"We were in the back of beyond in Portobello Road. We needed more space and somewhere more luxurious. Now we'll get our third star, no problem," he said.

Increased investment into the business, including refurbishment costs, may not ensure a profitable year for Thornton's. Last year development costs, said the chef, led to a IR£20,000 loss.

"We don't intend to lose money, but you have to pay back investment costs and if you make a profit in the first year, then you must be screwing your customers," he added.

The restaurant, leased from the Fitzwilliam hotel, is run as a self-contained business.

The reopening of Thornton's follows the termination of a lease agreement between the hotel and Conrad Gallagher in March, because of rent arrears.

Gallagher is due to appear in court next month charged with stealing paintings from the hotel while running Peacock Alley. He has denied the allegations.

Meanwhile, Thornton is keen to dissociate himself and his restaurant from its former tenant. "As far as I'm concerned he never existed," he said.

by Christina Golding

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 19-25 September 2002