Floral Park Restaurant Brings St. Patrick's Day Throughout the Year

James Williams Friday, March 15, 2013

There are restaurants on Long Island that just have that amazing feel of ethnic authenticity. While looking for a great Irish place to grab a meal during Irish-American Heritage month I came across an amazing little place in Foral Park that has Irish tradition and feel without doing any special innovations or advertisements. Swing the Teapot is Irish-owned by Shane Moynagh who is friendly, outgoing, and loves to welcome each person through the door. Even if he is eating.

Located on Tulip Avenue in Floral Park, the restaurant fits in nicely with the Irish themed pubs and restaurants that line the quiet street, which crosses the Long Island Rail Road and spills into Jericho Turnpike. The railroad is a key mode of transportation for revelers descending on the village from Belmont Park and neighboring communities.

Originally from Ballyjamesduff County Cavan, a small Irish village with a population of slightly more than 2,200 people, Moynagh has been behind the counter since he was just 4 years old, working in his mother’s bakery in Ireland and then pouring drinks as a bartender for 15 years after moving to Sunnyside, Queens, in 1979.

Everything about the place speaks of his Irish heritage. The decorations are eclectic in style with a hodgepodge of different 19th Century dining tables from Italy, chairs from local antique stores and the streets of Floral Park, three popular sewing machine tables and two 18-foot-long pews that he purchased from a local church.

As inviting as the atmosphere is, the locals come here primarily for the food. More specifically, traditional Irish meals such as Chicken Pot Pie, Shepherd’s Pie, Fish & Chips, Irish Brown Bread, Irish Soda Bread and of course, the Irish Breakfast.

The Shepherd's Pie is wonderful as well as the Irish Breakfast. I didn't know when I would be back by so I had to sample both. As we move into St. Patrick's Day weekend, it would be a great idea to stop into Swing the Teapot, look at the great collection of teapots in the china cabinet, and enjoy a great Irish meal.

jamesw@longislandyellowpages.com

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