Former Aimsir and Circa employees are set to open an exciting new restaurant in Naas

Fiona Frawley

two men and a woman looking at a floorplan inside a restaurant in the process of being refurbished

An exciting new venture from some of the most prominent names in the Irish fine dining sector.

With rising costs, staff shortages and the looming energy crisis, we’ve sadly had to say goodbye to a number of beloved Irish restaurants in the past year, including the Michelin-awarded Circa in Terenure.

For those missing the local fine dining spot, we come bearing good news – Circa’s former head chef Gareth Naughton is set to open a new restaurant in Naas, along with former Aimsir and Allta employees, Antonia Leece and Kevin Hegarty.

The dynamic team are scheduled to open Neighbourhood, a “chic yet relaxed new restaurant” in the former Grace’s pub in the heart of Naas this month, following a full refurbishment.

Neighbourhood will be serving “exciting, genuine, flavour-driven food”, mainly cooked over a wood-fired oven and hand-cranked grill.

The à la carte menu has been created by Gareth with menu consultancy by chef Jordan Bailey and offers snacks, small plates and some larger plates designed to share, with the option to add sides and a choice of desserts and cheeses to finish. Neighbourhood’s menus will have plenty of elements produced in-house, from dry-aged meats, cured fish and vegetables, to preserves and pickles from the displays on surrounding backlit shelves.

To accompany, the new restaurant will serve intriguing house-made seasonal cocktails, draft beers and a smart wine and drinks list. In early 2023, an elegant wine and cocktail bar will open upstairs led by bar manager Kevin Hegarty, formerly of Aimsir and Allta. Until that opens, Kevin will be beginning his development journey downstairs where guests will get to sample his world-class cocktails and enjoy what is to come.

Neighbourhood will consist of two spaces – the restaurant, serving the full menu which seats 58, with 50 at tables and eight at the counter, and the separate lounge, which has 20 seats for pre-dinner drinks, and a snacks and cocktails menu. Antonia Leece, also formerly of Aimsir will be heading up the front of house team when the restaurant opens on Monday December 19^th.

In the lead up to Christmas, Neighbourhood will open Monday-Friday for dinner. Normal opening hours will be Wednesday to Sunday. 5.30 to 9pm (Wednesday to Friday), 10am to 2.30pm and 5.30 to 9pm (Saturday), and 10am to 5pm (Sunday).

Bookings open from Wednesday, December 7th HERE.