This weekās Tuesday Goodie Bag features
Pepito
Pepito has to be one of our favourite Eastside spots since opening its doors earlier last year, bringing an Iberian vibe to the Upper Newtownards Rd.
With its delicious Spanish tapas-style small plates, paired with some great European wines, and a fine selection of vermuts, aperitivo, and slow sippers, itās the perfect venue to enjoy authentic, summery, Mediterranean dishes.
On our recent visit, we chose a variety of delicious sharing plates including Pan con Tomate topped with salted anchovies, and Roast Padron Peppers sprinkled with smoked sea salt & a squeeze of lemon.
We always order the Halloumi with honey and chilli, and the garlicky Patatas Bravas, perfect with the Crispy Fried Chicken Wings with harissa, honey & garlic.
And the fish dishes are also terrific; we loved some of the new additions to the menu, especially the Charred Fillet of Mackerel with gooseberry compote, and the Seared Tuna with rocket salad & sauce vierge.
The desserts are not to be missed; Tunisian Orange Cake, Affogato with
Limoncello cream, Basque Cheesecake, and Gorgonzola with biscuits and frozen grapes.
Ā”Todo estuvo delicioso!
Website HERE
East Bengal
We made a return visit to one of our favourite Ballyhack restaurants, The East Bengal, with our Summer Theatre team for a meal after rehearsals.
With a mix of contemporary and authentic Indian recipes made using the freshest ingredients, The East Bengal always delivers delicious dishes.
We started with some crispy Papadums with dips, followed by a selection of freshly made vegetarian appetisers.
Our main courses included a mild almond & coconut-rich Chicken Tikka Masala, a sweet & spicy King Prawn Patia, zingy with citrus, and the star of the show for us at The East Bengal, The Paneer Shaslik; a gorgeous dish with huge chunks of curd cheese, cooked over flaming tandoori charcoal, and served with a vegetable curry and choice of rice. Delicious!
Along with breads, veggie sides, and other accompaniments (the Chilli and Coriander Naan is wonderful, although itās not on the menu-just ask!), this was a fabulous feast.
Also, the restaurant is BYOB, so we were able to bring a bottle (or two) of wine to enjoy with the meal. A superb evening of excellent food, great company, and attentive service from the team at The East Bengal. Many thanks!
Website HERE
Rachel McBride Gallery
Contemporary abstract artist Rachel McBride has announced the opening of Rachel McBride Gallery in Newtownards Co. Down, creating a new dedicated space for contemporary art in Northern Ireland and establishing a permanent home for her growing body of work.
See and read more here :-
Known for her vibrant use of colour and richly textured surfaces, Rachel has developed a distinctive visual language that combines movement, depth and emotional resonance. Her work has attracted collectors across Switzerland, France and Australia, contributing to an expanding international profile and growing demand for her distinctive abstract paintings.
The gallery opening marks a significant milestone in her career while introducing an exciting new cultural destination for visitors, collectors and art enthusiasts. The purpose-designed space will showcase original paintings, new collections, commissioned works and a programme of workshops and artist-led events, offering audiences the opportunity to engage directly with contemporary abstract art. Alongside her exhibition practice, she creates bespoke commissions for private and corporate clients, producing site-specific works tailored to individual spaces and collections.
Living with cerebral palsy has informed Rachel’s creative perspective and resilience throughout her artistic journey. Her growing international reputation is built on the originality, technical quality and emotional impact of her work, which continues to resonate with collectors and audiences around the world.
Looking forward to the opening, Rachel McBride said:
“Opening Rachel McBride Gallery is the culmination of years of creative growth and an opportunity to create a permanent space where people can experience my work in its intended setting. As interest in my paintings continues to grow internationally, it felt important to establish a dedicated gallery here in Northern Ireland that not only showcases contemporary abstract art but also creates opportunities for connection, creativity and cultural engagement. I hope visitors leave feeling inspired and able to experience the energy and emotion behind every collection.”
Rachel McBride Gallery is now open on Frances Street Newtownards. For further information, visit the Rachel McBride website www.rachelmcbride.co.uk or follow @iamrachmcbride on Facebook and Instagram.
Website HERE
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