We always adored Marcel, a delightful little bistro serving elegant, contemporary French cuisine in the east side of the city, and we were pretty downcast when it closed. What were we going to do without our French foodie fix?
Well, we needn’t have worried, as award winning chef-owner Niall Duffy, ably assisted front of house by Declan O’Hagan, have recreated that Marcel magic on the Lisburn Rd, and we were delighted to have been invited to try the new menu.
The venue is perfect; forest green walls, carefully selected artworks, old church seating, and a cosy, welcoming vibe, with an open kitchen creating some culinary theatre.
Many Marcel classics are still on the menu, along with some newer additions, and we couldn’t wait to enjoy some favourite dishes, old and new.
The cocktail list has something to please everyone, and we started with two apéritifs, a Negroni, and a Sidecar, to accompany our nibbles of Marinated Olives, and Marcel’s ‘must-order’ dish, the Gougeres: savoury choux buns oozing with gruyere sauce.
The starters were terrific; Roquefort Salad with chicory, pear, & walnuts, and a steaming bowl of Moules Mariniere in a gorgeous white wine cream sauce with sliced baguette & smoked butter.
Our mains were equally good. We had Pan Fried Seabass on a medley of seafood: clams, mussels, prawns, & squid in a gently spiced tomato sauce, topped by a rouille crouton.
And the Poulet Roti, a half roast chicken with salad, fries, & garlic butter, was beautifully cooked, and was accompanied by some green beans with garlic & crispy shallots, all washed down with a bottle of Languedoc “Les Volets” Pinot Noir.
Of course, the desserts at Marcel are not to be missed; a decadent Chocolate delice with hazelnuts & almond praline crowned with gold leaf, and the pastry on the Tarte Bourdaloue was beautifully short, topped with pear & almond, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
The evening finished with a couple of drams of slightly smoky, & peppery Talisker Storm Single Malt, just for the road.
How brilliant to see Marcel going from strength to strength at its new location, and with great Prix Fixe options, and Steak Frites deals, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy great value, authentic French cuisine.
#marcel #lisburnroad #frenchbistro #frenchcuisine
Restaurant website HERE
