New bistro café to open in Portlaoise
The new café and bistro is due to open on 17 July at Dunamaise Arts Centre. File image
A NEW café and bistro is about to open at Dunamaise Arts Centre in Portlaoise, in a large ground floor restaurant space that has been vacant for almost a year.
The Fort Café & Bistro, run by award-winning Chef Sorin, is due to open at the premises on Church Street on 17 July.
The space was previously occupied by R32 Artisan Bakery and Coffee Shop, which opened in early January last year but closed after only six months, despite very positive reviews.
Making the announcement on social media today, Dunamaise Arts Centre said: ‘After years of bringing his passion for food to kitchens across Ireland and Europe, award-winning Chef Sorin is returning home to begin a new chapter.
‘The Fort Café & Bistro opens at Dunamaise Arts Centre on 17 July, serving great food, great coffee and a warm welcome in the heart of Portlaoise.’
When R32 opened the bakery café, the ground floor space at the Dunamaise had been vacant since October 2022, when the highly popular Caffe Latte closed after 23 years in business.
At the time, Caffe Latte owner Ken McPherson decided to consolidate his successful catering businesses, while continuing to run another Caffe Latte outlet in nearby Lyster Square.
