New opening shines a light on NI produce

The Soda & Starch Pantry and Grill opens its doors this month in Derry-Londonderry with the primary aim of showcasing the region’s delicious local produce.

The new restaurant is a partnership between its head chef, Raymond Moran and local entrepreneur, Ciaran O’Neill, who also operates the successful Bishop’s Gate Hotel within the Walled City.

Speaking to LCN this month, Raymond confirmed that he and Ciaran were focused on introducing visitors some of the great food that originates in Northern Ireland:

“Soda & Starch Pantry and Grill is all about the traditional home kitchen and the wonderful smells of classic soda and wheaten bread baking,” he added. “Our aim is to introduce local people and new visitors to our city to great traditional foods served in this part of the world.”

Open seven days a week from 10am daily, Soda & Starch Pantry and Grill will serve breakfast and brunch; coffee and scones; lunch classics including pies and pasta and daily specials. In the evenings, from Thursday to Saturday, the venue will specialise in seafood and steaks.

Ciaran O’Neill says that partnering with Raymond was “a natural choice”:

“Raymond is an accomplished chef and he is very passionate about the food he serves,” he says.

“The city centre is quickly becoming a hive of good places to eat and we are delighted to add an all-day food offering.  We hope it will enhance Derry’s already exciting food scene.”

Ciaran operates the award-winning Bishop’s Gate Hotel. Since it opened in 2016, it has transformed the streetscape in Derry-Londonderry, re-animated the surrounding area and proved a huge draw for tourists and locals alike.

Our picture shows Raymond Moran (left) outside Soda & Starch with business partner, Ciaran O’Neill.