Jones's Garden Centre

General discussion on all issues relating to Donabate and Portrane
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Harry Byrne
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Café opened today. Yippee.
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Ken
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Great, I hope it goes well for them. They've really invested heavily over the past few years. They deserve success.
Regards,

Ken.
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mammy
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Joined: 20 Oct 2012, 17:30

We ate there yesterday and loved it everything was freshly cooked and good value the staff were fantastic I hope and wish Karl and Mr's Jones all the best and hope we can all get behind them and support them Best of luck to them it can't be easy.
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Harry Byrne
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We just had a coffee ourselves, but the place looked fabulous, best of luck indeed to them,
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Douglas
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I am delighted to see Mrs Jones Kitchen open at last and wish the Jones family every success with this welcome addition to their business and to our area. The location is perfect both for locals and visitors with parking provided and a super garden centre to visit at the same time. It is clear that the Jones family have invested heavily, with no expense spared.

That being the case, there are some teething problems that need to be addressed. My comments are meant in a constructive way. I would advise the management to spend some time examining closely the competition, particularly The Gourmet Food Parlour in Swords and to a lesser extent Avoca in Malahide.

The standard in both restaurants is extremely high in terms of service, variety for breakfast and lunch, anti pasta in the afternoon, soups, coffees with a variety home cooked scones or deserts at any time of day. Given the size of Mrs. Jones Kitchen it compares more to GFP where table service work really well. Avoca is self service but this I believe is more because of size. The smaller Avoca in Suffolk street has table service and this works well.

It might be an idea to consider an early start on Sunday with all the football matches, church services etc in the area.

Once again the very best of luck and success for years to come, you well deserve it
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Bill_Lumbergh
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Douglas wrote:That being the case, there are some teething problems that need to be addressed. My comments are meant in a constructive way. I would advise the management to spend some time examining closely the competition, particularly The Gourmet Food Parlour in Swords and to a lesser extent Avoca in Malahide.
Disclaimer - I haven't been there yet, but is a garden centre cafe really meant to compete with actual restaurants?
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Harry Byrne
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Was there only briefly, but they are set up for hot food so they'll be judged by restaurant standards. Saw something on UK TV recently about the café part of the garden centre business saving the centres from the effects of the shite Spring weather, so I can see the logic of it.
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bear
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they are not even open a wet day and they are getting knocked i think they have to be admired for a venture like this in the current climate .
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Harry Byrne
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bear wrote:they are not even open a wet day and they are getting knocked i think they have to be admired for a venture like this in the current climate .

Who knocked them and who doesn't wish them well?
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Bill_Lumbergh
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bear wrote:they are not even open a wet day and they are getting knocked i think they have to be admired for a venture like this in the current climate .
In fairness Douglas' post was far from a knock.
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loraine
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Joined: 22 Sep 2012, 18:51

Had lunch today in Mrs Jones Kitchen and it was really enjoyable and reasonable.

Best of Luck - I'll be back :)
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pat mustard
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Is there a Bakery on site?

Thats the dream Donabate requirement.

I'll pop along for a slap up lunch over the weekend.
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JohnPaulTheTenth
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Joined: 22 Oct 2012, 21:17

Heh. 'slap up' lunch.

That phrase always reminds me of Beano characters with their tongues sticking out and drooling.

Enjoy.

Fair play to the Joneseseses. Big investment there.
Yours Sincerely, JPX
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Seanny
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Joined: 04 Dec 2012, 21:46

Had a very nice bit to eat there last weekend, very nice and the place looks great

Best of Luck to them!
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Banana
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hi,

I agree- place looks great- its a big place too - food was delicious !!
the only problem is you go in for a coffee and come out with loads of plants, a new bbq and a garden gnome - which i suppose is the whole point !
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Ken
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Dropped in for a spot of lunch with Mrs. Ken today. We were very impressed. I'm on a gluten free diet and they even prepared me something off the menu and had fresh gluten free bread. We'll certainly be back.
Regards,

Ken.
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portraneeoghan
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Joined: 26 Apr 2013, 00:18

Going there for lunch on monday :) Cant wait I've heard some very good reports on it. :D
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