Gourmet

IN THIS ISSUE, WE WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE RESTAURANTS, BARS AND HOTELS SERVING GREAT LUNCHTIME DISHES.

NEILL’S HILL.

Neill’s Hill is a neighbourhood institution in Ballyhackamore. This popular restaurant has a stylish yet informal vibe serving breakfast, lunch, evening meals, and Sunday carvery specials.

The Brasserie menu features small plates, local cuts, fresh fish, fantastic meat-free options and a great value lunchtime specials menu.

We started with a steaming bowl of Mushroom Soup, some Padron Peppers with sea salt, and a Beetroot Salad with crispy chicory leaves, grapes, and tangy Gorgonzola.

To follow we ordered two of the Lunch Specials; a flaky Smoked Haddock on creamy mash with mustard cream & a perfectly poached egg, and cheesy Aubergine Parmigiana in a tomato sauce with a side of garlic baby potatoes-a snip a £11 per dish.

From the regular lunch menu, the golden Chicken Schnitzel with melting garlic butter, rocket salad, & frites was moist, tender and delicious.

And the dessert of Meringues with passionfruit & hot chocolate sauce was a light yet satisfying way to finish a brilliant lunch.

MEMBERS’ DINING ROOM, STORMONT.

We love to visit The Members’ Dining Room on the first floor of Parliament Buildings, especially when it’s time to celebrate. The beautiful restaurant, with its floor to ceiling wood-panelled walls, sumptuous carpets, immaculately laid tables and panoramic views leading down from Stormont and sweeping up to the Castlereagh Hills, is the perfect venue to enjoy a special occasion.

The chefs are committed to using only locally available fresh produce and ingredients, and there is also an excellent drinks list.

To start, we had the Soup of the Day served with freshly baked bread, the Keenan’s Smoked Haddock Fishcakes with celeriac remoulade, shaved fennel salad and dill dressing, (which could also be served as a main course), an Autumn Salad of beetroot, goat’s cheese, bacon, balsamic and candied walnuts, and Curried Cauliflower Fritters with toasted almonds, pomegranate and lime dressing.

Our main courses included a flaky Oven Baked Cod Fillet with basil, lemon and pepper crust, minted pea puree, triple cooked chips and a caper butter, and a plant-based Crispy Fried Tofu on pickled cabbage slaw, coriander noodles and peanut sauce.

To finish, we had Warm Bramley Apple & Blackberry Crumble with Glastry Farm whiskey ice cream, Coconut and Sour Cherry Mousse with coconut sable biscuit, and The Parliament Buildings’ signature dessert, a delightful Iced Lime Parfait with Jawbox Gin syrup, honeycomb shard and raspberry dust.

And the three course lunch is exceptionally good value at just £29.50.

Andersonstown Rd has had an amazing new makeover, with a selection of great food and drink menus to enjoy at one of Belfast’s premier sports bars.

After an extensive refurbishment, The Whitefort now offers an excellent space to experience craft beers, cocktails and wines alongside fantastic food, whilst providing sports fans the opportunity to enjoy 12 screens over 2 floors showing big games and races, have a game of pool, or even try their hand at darts. In fact, groups of friends can enjoy fast-paced games at “Flight Club”, with drinks and amazing sharing plates in their own playing area.

We were recently invited to see the new improvements and try some food. As well as a great value lunch menu with dishes at £12.95, there’s a terrific all day menu featuring small plates, burgers, mains, sides & desserts.

Starting with a crispy, spicy Salt and Chilli Squid with fresh chilli, coriander, salad and a harissa and lime mayo, and a delicious dish of Prawns Pil Pil with masses of juicy tiger prawns in a garlic & chilli oil and garlic ciabatta, we knew this was going to be a flavourful

To follow, we had a generously portioned plate of sizzling Chicken Fajitas with tortillas, sour cream, guacamole, cheese & salad, and the Fish of the Day was a perfectly pink, crispy-skinned salmon on herby crushed potatoes, tenderstem broccoli, prawns and a creamy chive velouté.

All our dishes were freshly prepared, beautifully presented, and packed with flavour. We loved this brilliant new version of this iconic West Belfast venue.

Portrush’s intimate, boutique hotel Elephant Rock epitomises luxury, glamour and fun. With its quirky interior design, and incredible sea views, the hotel is the perfect venue to spoil yourself with an elegant and sophisticated getaway.

We called in to try the Lunch Menu. The team in the restaurant provides a dining experience which champions fresh, seasonal ingredients, and showcases local produce through its contemporary menu.

The dining room decor is a delight; blue & green velvet chairs, striking monochromatic marble tables, and art pieces including a gorgeous oil painting of the stunning Elephant Rock landmark.

To start, we couldn’t resist a “tipple or two” from the rather excellent cocktail list. “The Skerries” (which we could see, incidentally, from our wonderful bay window table) was a dark rum and pineapple delight, and the “Breakfast Martini” uses local Balsalt Gin and marmalade to create a tangy, citrus treat!

We chose the Frankie Bombay Burrito, stuffed with cauliflower, potato, chickpea, pickled red onion, spinach, & mint chutney served with skin-on fries & a mini salad, and the Fish Pie crammed with cod, petit pois, capers & diced tomato in a creamy lemon sauce,

Broccoli were also top notch.

To finish, the Date & Orange Pudding with butterscotch and honeycomb was an indulgent treat, accompanied by a couple of nostalgic Sweet Shop cocktails, a “Black Jack” and a “Not Supposed To Chewit” to transport us back to childhood favourites with a grown up twist.

There’s also an upstairs cocktail lounge to enjoy a few Elephant Rock signature drinks in elegant surroundings.

THE DEER’S HEAD.

The Deer’s Head serves up some of the best pub grub in Belfast city centre. In collaboration with Urban Scullery, the menu features great brunches, bar snacks, small plates, burgers, seafood, and other terrific dishes.

We called in for lunch, and loved the “Green Eggs (And Ham)”; a new addition to the menu with whipped labneh and zhoug, topped with cashew dukka, hot chilli honey, pickled raisins and poached eggs, sprinkled with pancetta dust, and served with Scullery Sourdough for dipping.

The Seafood Pie is also a favourite; lightly poached cod, salmon and smoked haddock in a classic white wine & cream sauce, topped with cheesy mash and greens. Delicious!

And as always, a portion of Jonny’s phenomenal Battered Pickled Onions had to be ordered-perfect with a pint of well rounded, malty “Red Cow Red Ale”.

The Deers Head; Belfast’s first fully operational on-site craft brewery, serving an exclusive range of small batch beers, house specials, and rotating guest draughts, alongside Urban Scullery’s amazing foodie fare. Irresistible!

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DEETS HEAD

Please note, this column is the opinion of the columinst and not that of GNI or Romeo & Julian Publiccations Ltd.