The Avenue Brasserie will officially relaunch on Friday 18 September, with a limited number of tables now available to book for its first two weekends.
GIVEAWAY
And we have a table for 4 to giveaway on the opening weekend
The South Belfast restaurant is preparing to welcome guests back following a period of development behind the scenes, with the relaunch set to introduce a refreshed food offering centred on quality ingredients, alongside a renewed focus on service and the overall dining experience.
The restaurant’s kitchen will be led by Executive Head Chef Michael O’Connor, who joined The Avenue Brasserie as part of its relaunch. With more than 30 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, Michael is a well-known figure in South Belfast, having previously owned and led BT9 restaurant The Barking Dog. Drawing on his extensive experience, Michael has been working behind the scenes to develop and refine the new menu ahead of the relaunch.
Speaking about the relaunch, Michael O’Connor, Executive Head Chef at The Avenue Brasserie, said: “We’ve been very busy behind the scenes getting everything ready for the relaunch, from working through the menu and testing dishes to making sure every detail is where we want it to be.
“It’s been a really enjoyable process, and I’ve taken a lot of time to perfect the menu and make sure it reflects the style of food we want to deliver at The Avenue Brasserie. We’re now at the point where we’re ready to open the doors, and I’m really looking forward to welcoming guests over those first two weekends and seeing people enjoy the dishes we’ve been working on.”
Speaking about the relaunch, Chris Lockhart, General Manager of The Malone Hotel, said: “We’re really excited to announce that The Avenue Brasserie will officially relaunch on Friday 18 September. The positive response to the news that our kitchen will be led by Michael O’Connor has been fantastic, and he has been doing a phenomenal job getting the kitchen ready and bringing his experience to the restaurant.
There has been a lot of work taking place behind the scenes in preparation for the relaunch, and we’re delighted with how everything is coming together. We’re now pleased to be able to release a limited number of tables for the first two weekends and look forward to welcoming guests back to The Avenue Brasserie and giving them the opportunity to experience what we’ve been working towards.”
Following The Malone Hotel’s multi-million-pound transformation earlier this year, The Avenue Brasserie is now entering the final stages of its relaunch. Limited tables have been released for the first two weekends, giving diners the opportunity to be
among the first to experience the relaunched restaurant.
Bookings are now available at www.theavenuebrasserie.com
GIVEAWAY – A meal for 4 at the new Avenue Brasserie in The Malone Hotel
Your chance to win meal for 4 people on the opening weekend Fri, Sat or Sun 18th, 19th or 20th September.
Michael will take the helm as Executive Head Chef inside the newly redeveloped property, The Malone Hotel. The launch follows a major multi-million-pound transformation of the historic South Belfast destination into a luxury boutique spot recently named among the UK’s top new hotel openings.
Michael originally opened The Barking Dog in 2008, running for 15 successful years in the heart of the community. The restaurant was built on consistent exceptional London-and-gastropub-style dining focused on top-tier local produce. Over the years, his cooking attracted high-profile guests, including Hillary Clinton, Shania Twain, and members of the Game of Thrones cast. Michael spent extensive time in a variety of other high-end, well-known restaurants and hotels in Belfast, Michael is ready to reignite South Belfast.
Speaking on his return to BT9 and new role, Michael O’Connor said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be bringing the heart and soul of what we achieved at The Barking Dog to The Avenue Brasserie. BT9 has a special energy, and this venue is the perfect home for my next chapter. I’m excited to join the Macklin family and the team to bring top-tier local produce, crowd-pleasing small plates, and legendary comfort classics – cooked with the same passion that I always strive to bring to my dishes.”
Gareth Macklin, Director at The Malone Hotel, added: “This project marks the latest chapter in our ongoing journey of change and reimagination. Following our extensive refurbishment, bringing a chef of Michael’s calibre and local legend status into the kitchen at The Avenue Brasserie is a massive moment for us, for BT9, and for south Belfast hospitality scene as a whole.”
Michael’s 31-year career spans high-calibre international experience, including two years working under Marco Pierre White at London’s famed Mirabelle in Mayfair, and senior roles across top gastropubs in Chelsea and at The Gun in London’s Docklands. His journey also took him to Sydney, Australia for two years, where he earned a prestigious Chef Hat in his first year.
The Brasserie is a relaxed neighbourhood spot focused on good food, welcoming service, and shared plates.
