Best Kept Secrets – Sometimes, when asked to recommend a current favourite local foodie hotspot, our reply is immediately followed by the response, “But where exactly IS that?!” Lately, the term “hidden gem” has become a bit of a cliché when referring to those overlooked discoveries, but regardless, here are some of our recent favourites: with an old-fashioned address, just in case!
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Darmisk Grill, Belfast.
On the lookout for a quick bite on the Lisburn Road, we were delighted to stumble across Darmisk Grill, a Syrian restaurant serving up traditional Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes using recipes passed down through the generations.
We were warmly welcomed and shown to a cosy booth in the main dining room with its warm red brick walls, wooden beams and beautiful fretwork lamps, all coming together to create an authentic feel.
The menu featured a great selection of sharing starters, and the silky-smooth Hummus with chickpeas, tahini, and lemon juice, was drizzled with a peppery olive oil and served with wafer-thin charred flatbreads. We also enjoyed the smoky Baba Ganoush, and the Warak Einab, vine leaves stuffed with rice, tomatoes, onions, parsley, and spices.
To follow, we had a couple of Darmisk’s “plates”, although don’t be fooled by this description! The marinated Roasted Chicken Shawarma served with garlic cream & pickles, and the Falafel with toasted Syrian bread, were served on enormous wooden boards which practically filled our table: incredible value, and again perfect for sharing.
Accompanied by Batata Harra, double cooked cubed potatoes fragrant with coriander, garlic, & chilli, and a fresh, vibrant Tabbouleh salad, with parsley, tomatoes, mint, onion, nutty bulgur wheat, olive oil & lemon dressing, this was a fabulous Middle Eastern feast.
199 Lisburn Rd, Belfast BT9 7EJ
Fat Willy’s Pub & Grub, Ballymoney.
On Main Street in Ballymoney, Fat Willy’s pub serves up great drink, tasty grub, live sports and music, and we called in, before a drama festival performance at the town hall, with our cast and crew for a bite to eat.
We were greeted and seated by the man himself, orders were taken quickly, and before long, we were tucking into dishes such as “The Steel Yard Burger”- double beef patties with cheese, bacon, and smoky barbecue sauce, “The Peppered Chicken Stack” with mash, peas, and onion rings, and “The Spice Bag Loaded Fries” with salt & chilli chicken, peppers & onions, curry, and prawn crackers!
There’s even a spiced bean “Mexican Burger” for a meat-free munch, and many of the dishes can be prepared gluten free.
24 Main St, Ballymoney BT53 6AL
Bethel’s Kitchen, Dromore.
Earlier last month, we had the absolute pleasure to catch up again with the force of nature that is the wonderful Willetta Gabriel, proprietor of Bethel’s Kitchen in Dromore.
Willetta’s authentic hand rolled bagels are legendary, and we couldn’t wait to get tucked into “The Lox” a smoked salmon, caper & cream cheese sensation, “The Turkey Club” with crispy bacon, guacamole, tobacco onions, lettuce, tomato, & BK Sauce, and the incredible gut-busting “Canadian”: a hot French toast bagel with bacon, cream cheese, and sticky maple syrup.
Bethel’s Kitchen also stocks Willetta’s superb signature Garlic Dill Pickles, sweet treats (the Pecan Pie is out of this world!) and seasonal specials.
Don’t miss out on the new Hot Cross Bun Bagel, an Easter Special crammed with cinnamon, spices, and sultanas, with lashings of luxurious orange burst cream cheese made to Willetta’s secret recipe!
Bethel’s Kitchen’s delicious, homemade, artisan produce is a taste of Michigan in the heart of Dromore.
Church St, Dromore BT25 1AA
Lost & Found, Portstewart.
A cool, quirky Coffee Shop, hidden away on Portstewart seafront with absolutely gorgeous coastal views, Lost & Found serves speciality coffee and a modern brunch menu.
The Avocado Toast was creamy with a subtle chilli kick, the Posh Piggy featured a toasted brioche bun with Swiss cheese, crispy bacon and a fried egg, and the Swedish Almond Cake was nutty, naughty and fabulous!
Stunning views, a totally brilliant playlist (Cocteau Twins? Yes, please!), and excellent dishes. Glad we found you, Lost & Found!
3 Berne Rd, Portstewart BT55 7PA
The Watson & Poke Club, Belfast.
Housed in an elegant building formerly known as “Library House”, or the “Smoothing Iron” due to its distinctive shape, The Watson’s Library Bar specialises in wine flights, and has an extensive wine list with a brilliant selection of grape varieties, from familiar favourites, to more adventurous choices.
Brian ordered the Flight of the Week, a snip at £11.50 for three Chilean wines, but there’s also the opportunity to create your own bespoke flight; Mark chose a Greek Domaine Papagiannakos, a Spanish Arnegui Crianza Rioja, and a Primitivo di Manduria from Puglia.
Of course, The Watson has become synonymous with the amazing “Poke Club”, offering delicious fresh-cut, triple-cooked Belgian-style frites. Choose from a variety of speciality homemade sauces and toppings on your poke or bowl, grab your frites to-go from the takeaway hatch, or enjoy, as we did, in the cosy Library.
The pokes are available in two sizes, and they were golden, crispy, and moreish. We went for creamy Confit Garlic Mayo, and tangy Young Buck Ranch. We also enjoyed the Loaded Frites Bowls which come in Taco Beef, Pulled Pork, Vegan Chipotle Three Bean Stew, and probably the best value Battered Portavogie Scampi in town.
2-14 Little Donegall St, Belfast BT1 2JD
