Category Archives: Eating Out

Restaurants, Inns and hotels worth a mention

Around the World, Eating Out

Üzümlü break September 2016

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Some photos of our trip to Yasiluzumlu, Fethiye, to stay with our great friend Barbarra

For the paragliding video click here

Around the World, CQ, Eating Out

I hate Leny Henry – BUT – Premier Inn Gatwick Airport

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I really do not like Lenny Henry but we staged through Gatwick on our way to and from Egypt for the 2015 New Year and again on our way to and from Turkey in March, staying at the Premier Inn, adjacent to the North Terminal, on all occasions and, as the advert states, one gets a good nights sleep.
Not only that but one gets a reasonably spacious and immaculately clean room; friendly, helpful staff; and a first class restaurant all at very reasonable prices.

Around the World, Eating Out

Castello Bruno, a gem in Castleknock, Dublin 15

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castleburno
Not a million miles away from central Dublin this family restaurant on the Main Street of Castleknock village was introduced to me my good friend Joe Griffin who lives a medium stones throw away in Dunboyne.

We called in for lunch in-between meetings at the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation in Brunswick Street North and Castleknock College; as one does!

It has a pleasant and comfortable atmosphere and a staff to match. I had intended to have a snack but the menu was far to appetizing and, on top of that, they were offering Chicken Puttanesca, breast of chicken in a piquant sauce containing chilli and anchovies (I’m a sucker for anything containing anchovies). We both chose this and added a portion of fries between us to accompany it. In for a penny in for a pound we rounded off with an excellent Tiramisu and coffees. Add in a bottle of Peroni and the bill was €53.60 – great value for money as well.

 

Around the World, Eating Out

Market Place Restaurant, via Borsieri 21/a, Como, Italy

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We picked this restaurant from a recommendation on eating out in Como in the New York Times; sent to us by an American friend.  It is not a classical Italian Restaurant by any means but the service is very good and professional and food is definitely different.  It is intimate with about a dozen tables and for this reason it is advisable to book.

There is an  à la carte menu or two “Tasting” Menus, one “Classic” and the other  “Gourmet”.  “In for a penny in for a pound” we chose the Classic: 

Market Place Menu

This started with Marinated Bream and Panzanella, a Tuscan Salad and was followed by A pochet egg (a poached egg yolk) on spinach with chanterelles and Parmesan foam. Believe it or not it was really tasty even if the pochet was lost in translation)

Then came the really Italian course: Lasagna with potatoes, leeks and a Parmesan pesto – Yum.

There was a choice of “mains”, the meat option being a rack of pork with roasted peppers and endive cream or a Trancetto (if you can find a good translation please comment on this page – my best guess is “slice”) of barbecued Umbrian fish. We chose the pork which was delightful.

To finish off there was shortbread and chocolate and vanilla ice cream.

I have included the menu above as some of the courses are, for me, quite difficult to translate, but I am sure there are some cunning linguists who can offer an explanation.

We had a very nice bottle of Italian Red, a Trentino Pinot Nero DOC 2009 “Forte di Mezzo”, Maso Cantanghel Pinot Nero which is a very fine sounding name and probably explain the price tag of €28.

The evening was wrapped up with an espresso and a grappa as usual.

An interesting experience at €110.50 but probably a little way out for our tastes.

Eating Out

The Ginger Bistro, Hope Street, Belfast

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Ginger Bistro

Located only about a couple of hundred yards from the Grand Opera House the Ginger Bistro is in an ideal position for a pre theatre meal.

The menu which runs from 5 to 6.45 is an extremely well priced truncated version of the main menu.

We ordered a plate of breads to share which came with one of the best  tapenade I have tasted.  Oh yes; and a perfect melt in the mouth wheaten.

As mains we opted for the pies, one fish and the other a Shepherd’s.  The shepherd’s included perfectly cooked lamb, in large chunks, chorizo and black pudding. Both came in individual pie dishes piping hot.  The potato topping was nicely browned without being dried out.  Altogether very appetizing.  We accompanied them with chips and a bottle of South African Shiraz.

I took an Americano to round it all off.  Total bill £45.00.

The service was personal and efficient so we will no doubt be back.

Eating Out

The Governor Rocks at Donaghadee

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We visited for Sunday lunch on a Groupon voucher. The menu was pretty comprehensive and all available.  We chose the goats cheese with parma ham and whitebait as starters both of which were very good. For mains my wife had Roast Sea Bass with prawns and capers on samphire with new potatoes whilst I had the duo of Monkfish and Mackerel with sweet red onions, roast potatoes and a massaman curry sauce (which I had on the side). They have a very nice Chablis which complemented the fish really well.  We followed it up with the cheese board.  The cheeses were ripe and tasty and served with crisped homemade bread. I do not think the prices were exorbitant given the quality and quantity of the dishes and £24.00 for a good Chablis is not over the top (we didn’t realize you could bring your own wine).  The staff were very young and friendly if not totally au-fait with the dishes but then this was not Deanes. The decor is definitely different but does not detract from the atmosphere.  An enjoyable experience and we will probably call again.

Eating Out

Knags Revisited

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Knaggs

Too much trouble to cook yet again so called in to Knags this evening at around 6.30.  Good job we didn’t leave it any later as within an hour they were queued up to get a table.  As per our last visit the service was great as was the Scampi (real shellfish in crisp batter – not the usual mush in a soggy stodge) and the chicken stack.  Carrots that tasted of carrot and a very nice little side salad.  No problems getting a ramekin of mayonnaise to go with the skinny chips (you really should try chips and mayonnaise).  House red is a very palatable Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon.  Rounded it off with vanilla pod Crème brûlée and an espresso.

Eating Out

At Last – Knags – the alternative to Chinese and Indian in Glengormley

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Glengormley has needed a quality restaurant that caters for tastes other than India and Chinese for some time and at last it is here. The staff are wonderful and take an interest in the clientele. The menu is varied and changes dependent on time of day and day of week so you are covered for everything from a bacon butty to sea bass and prawns with garlic and chilli. We shared mixed breads with dips to start and then cod gougons with mushy peas for my wife and sea bass and prawns with garlic and chilli dip for me. these came with a choice of potatoes, ours garlic saute, and mixed vegetables. We washed it down with a very palatable Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon. Did not try the sweet menu but ended with an espresso. Bill £48.00. No complaints at all.

Eating Out

Love Fish – Birthday dinner

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Booked a table for Josephine s birthday this evening.

As usual Michael Deane’s Love Fish restaurant is top of the list.  What I like about it is the smooth service with a touch of humour and great cuisine.

Starters were Jamesons and ginger and a Bombay and tonic and then on to the serious subject of food. The seared scallops with samphire, pancetta and garlic served in individual shells are to die for and the crevettes in garlic butter with sourdough take some beating.

We chose a bottle of 2012 Pecorino to accompany the meal and it has a perfect light touch that is just that bit more delicate than the Pinot Grigio that would have been my usual choice.

For mains Josephine took the fish pie and I the grilled salmon with Bombay potatoes and curry oil.  We had a side of beef dripping chips. the latter are an indulgence not to be missed!

The fish pie is the best we have tasted.  Not only is the filling a selection of fish with a light touch of sauce but the buttery mash topping is so light as to be melt in the mouth.

The grilled salmon has a light crust and the curry oil gives the Bombay potatoes a pleasant “kick”. A perfectly balanced combination.

The portions are balanced so that one can partake of three courses without feeling bloated so of course we chose the cheese, accompanied by a very palatable 10 year old port.

I am not one for chutneys so this accompaniment was lost on me but the “fromage de jour” was  first class.  In fact it was better than the selection that Josephine was serves a a birthday special.

To finish off I took the Bepi Tolosini grappa which is one of the smoothest I have had outside Italy.

Bill total including the 10% £140 of which £63.00 was drinks.  Money well spent!!

Eating Out, The Jacksons

Greenisland Golf Club Formal, Masked Ball 2012

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Saturday 17 November brought another year nearer to it’s end with the GIGC Formal complete with a Masked Ball theme.  Starting with champagne cocktails to get everybody in the mood we then moved in to dine.

David Alexander’s starters were a definite hit, Antipasti with a difference;  Parma ham, salami, peppers, crusty bread and not a fork in sight! Main courses offered were Steak, Cod with a herb crust or Supreme of Chicken with root vegetables and potatoes to accompany.  The sweet was a tiramisu.  No complaints from our table!  Rosie Hunter provided the music and before anybody knew it it was time to close the bar.  As usual and excellent night out.

 

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