Why the restaurant OX has critics and public hungry for more
It's currently the most talked about restaurant in Ireland, North or South.
It's currently the most talked about restaurant in Ireland, North or South.
People have been writing off Belfast's Botanic Avenue for many years. The street has suffered all sorts of slings and arrows principally because for the last 100 years it has been at the heart of a transient student society.
In recent weeks we looked at the rising tide of quality bistros now populating the streets of Belfast.
Judging by the price of houses in Holywood, Co Down, the recession has given the place a body swerve.
Thank heavens for little curry houses, for little curry houses get bigger every day, as Maurice Chevalier might have crooned.
The Ormeau Road in south Belfast just took a step closer to its yearned-for title of the city’s official bohemian quarter.
Northern Ireland’s appetite for Asian food will never be satisfied. Judging by the number of Chinese and Indian restaurants and takeaways (about 150 in the Greater Belfast area alone) the love affair with duck, noodles and rice and chicken, curry and naan continues to run smoothly and without end.
If Belfast and Northern Ireland’s restaurant sector is ten years behind London, as Matthew Fort said recently, in a kind way, then that may be no bad thing.
The joy of eating is often misrepresented by those who think of food as fuel as something snobby, pretentious and false.
Banbridge is famous for two things: Irish Linen and David Meade. The Coach House features on my list of Banbridge landmarks, but only because as teenagers in the Seventies we would sneak away from Armagh to the irresistibly sleazy nightlife of Banbridge which, for us, was a kind of Reno, a poor man’s Las Vegas, where anything could happen, and occasionally did.
Since the last review of Molly’s Yard some four years ago this cosy little island of rustic bliss has reached new heights lifting awards and recognition in globally distributed guide books, travel websites and media reviews.
The most effective display of one-upmanship can usually be seen in the early autumn when friends and neighbours reconnect at the start of term.
Some restaurants are lucky. These lucky ones seem to be busy most of the time even if the food is mediocre, the décor tired and the location slightly off the main strip.
There is plenty of life in the old dog yet. Such was the attitude shared by Ronan and Jennie Sweeney and Danny Millar when they bought Lisbarnett House.
Restaurants with views sometimes trade on what’s outside the window rather than what’s on the table. One or two offer both. The Ramore in Portrush and the Dirty Duck in Holywood boast some of the finest views of any restaurant. But they also do good food and service.
Belfast’s churn of restaurants seems to be picking up momentum. Looking back over four years of weekly restaurant columns (that’s 208 restaurants reviewed) the most remarkable fact is that so few have fallen by the wayside.
Bedford Street in Belfast has skyscrapers (well, there’s Windsor House and Bedford House), posh jewellers, a fancy shirt shop, the BBC at one end and City Hall at the other.
Some UK cities have deep associations with particular culinary traditions. Birmingham is known as the home of the Indian Balti, Manchester for Chinese noodles and London’s Brick Lane for Bangladeshi curries. Even Glasgow is known for its Italian restaurants.
Last weekend was full of revelations. On Saturday I went to Armagh, where I grew up, and visited two pubs with restaurants: O’Toole’s and Sheils’s.
Restaurants should carry a British Board of Film Classification-style certificate. This could help prevent embarrassing moments for older people who aren’t used to the protocols of the newer places.
Model and fitness fanatic Nell McAndrew has shown off her new baby daughter - and says that children are now her priority rather than her health challenges.
Rod Stewart said he was "over the moon" as he celebrated his 15th number one record with a champagne toast.
Rod Stewart's first album of self-penned songs in 20 years has gone straight to the top of the UK album charts.
Louis Walsh says he was "more than impressed" with the quality of talent after the first day of auditions to find the next Westlife, Boyzone or One Direction.
Rod Stewart said he was "over the moon" as he celebrated his 15th number one record with a champagne toast.
Rod Stewart's first album of self-penned songs in 20 years has gone straight to the top of the UK album charts.
Ryan Dolan has said he has 'no regrets' about competing in Eurovision, despite finishing last in Saturday's final.
Ryan Dolan has said he has 'no regrets' about competing in Eurovision, despite finishing last in Saturday's final.
Actor Edward Furlong has been arrested on suspicion of violating a restraining order filed by his ex-girlfriend.
Vin Diesel has revealed he has no plans to step into the director's chair in the near future.
The Faulty Towers live theatre dining experience is a largely improvised show. It started from the moment we all arrived at the venue and heard Sybil cry out for husband Basil, who was busy barking orders at hapless waiter Manuel.
It's currently the most talked about restaurant in Ireland, North or South.
People have been writing off Belfast's Botanic Avenue for many years. The street has suffered all sorts of slings and arrows principally because for the last 100 years it has been at the heart of a transient student society.
A new restaurant is due to open in one of Belfast city centre's best-known landmark buildings.