Published: Wednesday, 24th February, 2010 4:30pm

A foundation of good fresh food and tasty treats

RECENTLY featured on a live Ryan Tubridy radio-show, when RTÉ broadcast a one-hour special from its premises, the Torc Café & Food Hall's relaxed atmosphere and excellent food is making it one of Athlone's most popular eateries since officially opening in the town late last year.

First opened in Longford town in 1997, where their new landmark premises at New Street is firmly established as a well-known, locally-owned and successful business, Torc Café has already won the hearts - and stomachs - of its customers in Athlone, priding itself on providing a genuinely relaxed setting and really good, fresh food, in an environment where the aroma of fresh roast coffee and chocolate from the free-flowing chocolate fountain displays, warms the hearts and entices in countless passers-by.

Located at Dublingate Street, Athlone, Torc Cafe & Food Hall is owned and operated by Ruth McGarry-Quinn, who also opened the café in Longford, and is stocked with a range of speciality foods, from Ireland and around the world, and an enormously popular and tempting selection of home-made cakes and tasty treats such as cookies, muffins and biscuit cake.

Ruth McGarry-Quinn is delighted with the way her business has been received since opening in Athlone and said Torc Café prides itself on the quality of its products, its overall selection and its friendly, helpful service.

"We have been voted among the top-ten cafés in Ireland by Ireland Food & Wine Magazine, and have also been featured on many occasions in the Irish Times and the Bridgestone Irish Food Guide," Ruth said.

"We carry an extensive range of our own hand-made products, from truffles to preserves, and, of course, our famous house-dressing. The cafe has a very relaxed atmosphere and we pride ourselves on the quality of our products, our selection and our service. We have been very pleased with the reaction from the public since opening in Athlone and look forward to more and more people enjoying the Torc experience in the future," she added.

However, Torc is much, much more than a regular café, and one popular aspect of the café is the provision of a gift department.

"We also supply speciality luxury cakes to order. Our gift department is a must for any occasion, whether it's a special anniversary, an excuse for self-indulgence, or just a nice way to tell someone in a tasty way that you love them," said Ruth.

Gift vouchers for any amount are also available at Torc Café and proving popular with customers, while food and wine hampers are on sale throughout the year.

Unsurprisingly, Torc Café also proves an enormous hit as the year progresses.

"Our Christmas selection can be purchased or ordered from November onwards," said Ruth.

"The ideal Christmas gift idea is a hamper from the Torc collection and our new brochure is now available in-store. With a wide and varying selection to suit all tastes, and a price range to suit all pockets, you can also make your own selection from the produce range, and have them specially gift-wrapped by us," Ruth added.

Also, if you're looking for something novel or different, Torc has the ability to cater for your needs with a Chocolate Fountain Party.

Ruth said: "Our chocolate fountain parties are an excuse to celebrate with a difference! We can cater for children's parties, product launches, press receptions, and family occasions. We can cater for 20 to 40 people from €8 per guest and this includes the use of a room for two hours, with the full assistance of staff member."

The Torc Classic 'Chocolate Fountain Party' package includes a private room with balloon decorations, a twin-fountain (milk and white chocolate), fresh fruit selection (in-season), tasty marshmallow, fudges, mini-muffins (all to dip in a delicious rich chocolate sauce), and the provision of a quality pink lemonade to qunch the thirst. This special offer from Torc is available from Monday to Thursday (3 - 6pm), and additional party extras such as hot food, finger-food, teas and coffees, cakes, chocolates, and party-bags, can also be ordered.

Torc is also proud to offer a full 'Wedding Favors' selection, with a Truffle Wedding Cake (20 slices per cake and 74 truffles, available in white, milk, or dark chocolate) priced at €200.

Truffle boxes, after-dinner mint boxes, praline boxes are also available, while the names of the bride and groom, and the date of the wedding on a white label on the side of the box, can also be accommodated. The addition of ribbons (gold, silver, navy, green, black, pink, burgundy, orange, purple or red), and gold and silver boxes (available in quantities of 200), is also an option at Torc.

You only have to browse Torc's extensive and diverse cake-price list to become tempted, with House Chocolate Cake, Coffee & Walnut Cake, Lemon Curd Cake, Carrot Cake, and Double Chocolate Ganache all jumping out from the menu. Austrian Coffee Cake, Bailey's Coffee Cake and Victoria Sandwich Cake, along with a selection of buns and slices, are also available (enquire from staff).

Torc's opening hours are 9.30am - 6pm (Monday to Saturday), and its daily menu also includes breakfast (9am - 11am), ranging from sausage, bacon and free range eggs with toast, to cheese and bacon ciabatta, poached free range eggs, Greek eggs, scones, and muffins.

Listed among its 'Any Time of the Day' selection is Farmhouse Paté (served with toasted ciabatta and mixed herbs), Buffalo Mozzarella, Beef Tomato and Basil served with toasted ciabatta, Mediteranean Plate (hummus, mixed olives, pita and mixed leaves), Tiger Prawns, Chicken & Mushroom Pie, Torc Café Wedges, Lasagna & Garlic Bread, and Home-made Soup & Brown Bread.

A wide range of panini's, wraps, baguettes, salads and 'skyscrapers' are also available, while a 'Cool for Kids' menu offers treats such as Cheesy Pizza, Pasta & Garlic Bread, Ham & Cheese Soldiers, Wedgies & Tomato Sauce, Milkshakes and Smoothies.

And that's not forgetting its sumptuous 'Caffeine Kick' selection, with Freshly Brewed Coffee, Cappucino, Latte, Espresso, Vienna, Mocha Chino, Choco Chino, Hot Chocolate, Hot Choco Mallow, Frozen Hot Chocolate, and Coffee Shots (hazelnut, Irish cream or caramel), bound to tickle your fancy.

Ruth, who thanked and praised all her staff for their efforts since the opening in Dublingate Street, also highlighted Torc's fantastic outdoor catering service.

"Our cafe can be booked for special evening functions, from product or book launches, to corporate events," she said.

"We would invite people to give us a call, without obligation, to discuss their individual requirements. We also have a convenient catering service, and our list of tasty treats to order, is available in-store, too," added Ruth.

Torc Café & Food Hall, Dublingate Street, Athlone, can be contacted at 090 64 70529 (tel) or 090 64 70529 (fax). Alternatively, you can also contact Torc via e-mail at info@torccafe.com, and they also accept takeaway orders.