This weekās Tuesday Goodie Bag features
Pickle & Smoke
Website HERE
Hearth on the Upper Newtownards Road is a traditional pub, with a few surprises upstairs, and since Pickle & Smoke opened there earlier this year, it has become the go-to venue for those looking for some of the best bar food in the east of the city.
Using cooking techniques such as fire, fermentation, and slow-smoking, Pickle & Smoke serves up delicious dishes, with full-on flavours, and tasty twists on pub grub favourites.
We called in to try the latest Sunday Menu, and we absolutely loved the dishes we tried.
Read more and see video and photos here :-
First, we shared a few Small Plates including Crispy Corn Ribs in a salt and chilli seasoning, beautifully tender Salt & Chilli Squid with napa slaw and a lime aioli, and a veggie version of the Padron Peppers with a spicy chilli sauce instead of nduja.
Our Mains were golden, crispy, Beer Battered Fish & Chips with tartare sauce, lemon, dressed salad, and the most stunningly good marrowfat peas weāve ever tried-we kid you not! We also loved the veggie Charred Hispi Cabbage with rarebit sauce, roasted cashew nuts, and artichoke crisps.
Of course there are lots of fantastic Sunday Roast options too, such as Tender Topside of Beef, smoked St. Louis Pork Rib, and Turkey & Ham, served with all the trimmings.
And what better way to finish a great meal, than to enjoy a nightcap at Hearthās other hidden gem, the Somerled Club, Ireland’s only Single Cask Whiskey bar, where Sam will pour you something special, from Thursday to Sunday.
Pickle & Smoke can also help take the hassle out of Festive catering with its Christmas Dinner heat-at-home pack! All food is packaged with full heating instructions so that the big day can be calm, stress free and delicious. Prices start at Ā£35 per person or Ā£65 per couple. All you have to do is place your order via email or direct message, & you will then be given a time slot for collection on Christmas Eve.
Lasa
Website HERE
Lasa, Filipino Fusion, Belfast.
Weāve always been great fans of Lasa, and we were delighted when Conor and Elizabethās new Filipino Fusion restaurant recently opened its doors on the Upper Newtownards Road.
āLasaā means ātasteā, and there are plenty of authentically vibrant Filipino flavours to enjoy in the fabulous tasting menu, which changes every month. Thereās also a Filipino inspired cocktail menu and carefully selected wine offerings.
We started with Pulutan, consisting of salty, spicy Lumpia Chips with vinegar dust (perfect as a snack to enjoy with our Rum and Lychee cocktails), and freshly baked Pandesal with an umami-rich Kare Kare whipped brown butter.
Next, Dynamite; a popular Filipino streetfood of green chilli spring rolls stuffed with Irish cheeses and served with Lasa dipping sauce.
We had opted for a meat-free menu, and the Pinakbet, a hearty Filipino vegetable stew, was topped with skewered caramelised corn, butternut squash, and greens.
Bicol Express is a popular Filipino dish known for its spicy and creamy flavour, and the coconutty sauce was rich and savoury, complementing the meaty monkfish perfectly.
Often considered the unofficial national dish in the Philippines, the Adobo is a flavourful way to prepare meat, fish or veggies, which are first browned in oil, and then marinated and simmered in vinegar, salt, soy sauce, and garlic. Our vegetarian version was delicious; Oyster Mushrooms with pineapple, chimichurri, and shallot, served with crispy potatoes, and carrot and mooli tempura.
Finally, the Tamis Boodle, a Carioca Trio, were three saucy sweet treats, and were a delightful finish to the meal. Many thanks to Elizabeth, Rory, and Conor for a wonderful tasting experience.
How fantastic to have such brilliant Filipino food in the east of the city. And we canāt wait to try the Lasa Thursday Curry Nights very soon.
The Sphinx
Website HERE
As judges in this yearās NI Food To Go Awards, we were delighted that the winner of āBest Kebab To Go 2025ā went to The Sphinx on the Stranmillis Road in Belfast, which has been satisfying hungry customers with its incredible Kebabs for many years. The Sphinx has also been shortlisted for Best Kebab House in Northern Ireland at the British Kebab Awards, having already won this accolade several years running!
We were invited to try the new Chicken Shawarma, and it was absolutely delicious, whether on bread, on chips (the āchippyā chips are terrific), or Gyros-style. And it tasted even better smothered in The Sphinxās legendary kebab house sauce.
And of course, we were keen to check out what other options are available for people who might want a change from the traditional Kebab. From Tacos, Burritos and Fish Dishes, to Loaded Chips, Burgers and Chicken Wings, thereās plenty of choice, and the Falafel Kebab on chips was a tasty veggie alternative.
Also, The Sphinx has some great value meal deals and promotions.
With a fantastic reputation for quality takeaway food at affordable prices, itās little wonder that The Sphinx remains such a firm favourite.
Stranmillis Opening Hours:
Monday-Thursday 4pm-2am
Friday & Saturday 4pm-3am
Sunday 4pm-1am
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