In July’s Ulster Tatler issue, we highlighted four terrific city centre food spots with menus which champion summertime flavours and seasonal ingredients. So, as a follow-up, we’d love to mention a few more excellent eateries we’ve recently visited, in Belfast and beyond, over the summer months.
More Summertime Sensations : Belfast and Beyond.
In July’s issue, we highlighted four terrific city centre food spots with menus which champion summertime flavours and seasonal ingredients. So, as a follow-up, we’d love to mention a few more excellent eateries we’ve recently visited, in Belfast and beyond, over the summer months.
Table of Contents
Pepito, Ballyhackamore.
Since opening its doors earlier last year, Pepito has become a firm favourite, bringing an Iberian vibe to the Upper Newtownards Rd, with its super Spanish tapas-style small plates paired with some great European wines, and a fine selection of vermuts, aperitivo, and slow sippers.
We chose a variety of delicious sharing plates including Spanish Omelet, Pan con Tomate topped with salted anchovies, Roast Padron Peppers sprinkled with smoked sea salt & a squeeze of lemon, and some Sourdough with tapenade.
We always love the Halloumi with chilli, the garlicky Patatas Bravas, perfect with the Crispy Fried Chicken Wings with harissa, honey & garlic, and the Roast Mediterranean Vegetables with Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
And the fish dishes are also top notch; Salmon & Potato Fritter with crab bisque, Roast Scallop in romesco sauce, smoky Grilled Octopus in a tomato, caper & shallot dressing, and a couple of new additions to the menu- Charred Fillet of Mackerel with gooseberry compote, and Seared Tuna with rocket salad & sauce vierge.
But do leave room for dessert; the Tunisian Orange Cake was a marmalade-lover’s dream, the Churros with chocolate sauce & vanilla ice cream were sugary and moreish, the Basque Cheesecake was creamy with perfectly burnt edges, and the Gorgonzola with biscuits was served with refreshingly cooling frozen grapes. ¡Todo estuvo delicioso!
Wine and Brine, Moira.
Sometimes, the buzz surrounding a restaurant is such that it simply can’t live up to expectations. And we’re so pleased to report that this was most definitely not the case with the utterly sublime Wine & Brine.
We are ashamed to say that this was our first visit to Wine and Brine in Moira, and we received a well deserved, if metaphorical, slap on the wrist from Davina on our arrival for leaving it so long! Apologies!
We were seated in the bright, airy space at the back of the restaurant, flooded with natural light, and spent a considerable time studying the fabulous Sunday set menu, as each dish sounded absolutely stunning.
Michelin-trained Chef Chris McGowan’s food, served from the open kitchen, is nothing short of superb, and it would be tricky to pick out our favourites as every course was just delicious, but here goes!
The Torched Mackerel was the perfect summery starter, strewn with elderflower, with spicy hints of jalapeño, wasabi, and served with a warm crumpet topped with taramasalata. Also, the Portavogie Prawn Tempura, with a Nam Jim dip was packed with fresh and vibrant flavours. And the bread selection needs a mention; without doubt one of the best, and most generous, we’ve had in some time.
Continuing the seafood theme, the Dayboat Sole on the Bone was scattered with prawns, capers, & parsley, the Fillet of Wild Halibut was served with young peas, fish tempura, and a shellfish XO sauce, and the Spiced Coley in a Laksa sauce was topped with fresh Kilkeel crab.
Our dessert highlights were the luscious Whey Caramel Tart with orange & mascarpone sorbet, and the refreshingly sour Elderflower & Gooseberry Trifle- although every sweet sensation was a delight.
Roam, Belfast.
Roam is one of our absolute favourite restaurants in Belfast’s City Centre, and was the perfect spot to enjoy a superb celebratory meal with family to mark Brian’s big birthday!
This casual dining venue in Callender Street serves beautifully presented, utterly delicious dishes, using the finest local ingredients, from its seasonal menu.
We started our evening with a glass of fizz, and some golden Scraggy Bay IPA bread, with tangy marmite butter, and for one of our party, a sensationally good gluten free Stout & Treacle bread. It was so tasty, we even got the recipe!
And to follow, the snacks and starters of Mount Leinster Cheddar Tartlet, Chicken Liver Parfait, Heirloom Tomato with Smoked Eel, and a special of spicy Red Mullet with Bok Choy, were all excellent.
The main courses were also fantastic; from perfectly cooked Wild Halibut with celeriac and sea herbs and pink Lamb Loin & Fillet with a red wine jus, to Aged Beef Fillet with asparagus and ox cheek potato, every mouthful was packed with flavour.
All accompanied by sides of Crushed Baby Potatoes with confit garlic butter (these are definitely not to be missed!), and Organic Vegetables with a herb dressing.
And at Roam, Desserts are always a decadent delight; a slice of Raspberry, White Chocolate, Matcha, and Pistachio, a bowl of Strawberry, Champagne, and Elderflower, and a superb Irish Cheese Plate featuring Killeen from Galway, Cavanbert from Cavan, and Young Buck Blue from just around the corner, served with rhubarb chutney and crackers.
The Quay, Killough
In the picturesque seaside village of Killough, The Quay on Castle Street is a delightful café and restaurant serving up a variety of delicious dining options. From breakfasts and brunches, to Sunday Roasts and pop-up evening events, Chef Lee McQuoid, and wife Lisa have created a brilliant little bistro with something for everyone.
Having previously worked in Michelin venues in London and as chef in the Slieve Donard Hotel, Lee is passionate about great food and quality ingredients, which he sources from local suppliers and producers.
We went along to find out what The Quay has to offer, and we were immediately struck by its casual, informal vibe, the relaxing atmosphere created by the cool greens, blues and creams, the open brickwork, and exhibits from local artists on every wall.
The Quay evidently has its regular customers, who were keen to tell us what their favourite items on the menu were, and with a little insider knowledge, we ordered a few dishes from both the Sunday à la carte, and set menus.
To start, we had some juicy, crispy Tempura Prawns with a pickled cucumber salad & bang bang sauce, and the spicy Salt & Chilli Mozzarella Blocks with chipotle honey and tomato relish for dipping…that cheese pull was extremely satisfying!
The Seafood Chowder was creamy, chunky, and packed with locally sourced fish, and the Beer Battered Haddock was moist, flaky, and served with chunky chips, curry mayonnaise, and tartar sauce.
We also loved the Crispy Chicken Parmigiana Burger, oozing with melted mozzarella, a rich marinara sauce, and basil pesto, in a garlic & parmesan bun.
The Sunday Roasts looked phenomenally good, with a choice of Slow Cooked Beef, Turkey and Ham, or Slow Roasted Pork Belly, topped with the most incredible Guinness Yorkshire puddings, and all the trimmings. And don’t miss out on the Cauliflower Cheese-the best we’ve tasted in ages.
Vegetarians are also very well catered for; the Spring Vegetable & Ricotta Tart was a golden pithivier crammed with fresh greens and served with marinated tomatoes-the perfect summer dish!
Desserts and traybakes are baked daily; the Bakewell Tart and Rhubarb Cake were both mouthwateringly good, and there are gluten free options available too.
