Deboragh

I've had so many average-to-bad experiences in Belfast's restaurants and gastro bars - The Apartment (repeatedly), Bar Soba, Irene & Nans, Water Margin, Sun-Kee, Beatrice Kennedy, Tatu. I was never even a serious foodie in London, but the wee Morroccan round the corner in Stroud Green Road, Finsbury Park was better than the average overpriced 'posh nosh' that is unquestioningly lapped up here, especially in Italian restauraunts (Scalini's, Villa Italia, etc, etc), suand in the gastro-bars. Here's a good one - Belfast first Japanese restaurant is opening early next year (there is actually a pretty good one not far from Belfast already). Anyway, this new gaff, its owned and run by the same people that own the Red Panda restaurants, which are Chinese restaurants. And no one is batting an eyelid at this... what would be your spin on this bold innovation? Two other exceptions to the prevailing dross i forgot to mention are Bourbon on Great Victoria Street and Alto's on Fountain Street (only open till 5pm tho this may change (hopefully!).

Hallie, how was it this year? As someone who has just moved back to NI last year after 13 years away (in London & Glasgow) I would agree the overall standard of food is chronically dire. I and my partner had one of the most dredaful meals ever in Michael Deane's Brasserie. And I wouldn't pay for the upstairs Michelin-starred restauraunt becasue I simply can't afford it. There are a few oasis of good food though, some of them quite surprising. One is the new pizza section of Cafe Renoir on Botanic Avenue - Pizza Renior. The pizzas are baked fresh in the big ovens, and then all sorts of weird and strangely wonderful toppings are added depending on your choice, like pesto, roast potatoes, and a wide seafood selection. I think the place is run by Australians. I've tried three types of pizza so far and thumbs up to all. Their beer selection is also uncommonly good even by 'cool bar' standards in Belfast. Nice! Another place that refuses to disappoint is Cayenne on Bradbury Place. Sure its been around forever, but the standard of the menu is consistently good and the cocktail waiter can shake a mean Manhattan! Apparently Alden's, the fresh seafood restaurant in East Befast up the Hollywood Road somewhere is bonzer, all my friends rave about it but I haven't been yet. For lunch I'd recommend you get round to Bagel Bagel facing the Art College and St Ann's Cathedral for a tasty selection of freshly filled bagels of every variety. Cafe Casa on College Street facing the Fountain Centre in town do a great mixture of salads and pasta/rice dishes. And their coffee is the best in town. If you're ever up the Ormeau Road, Grafitti is always worth a visit, whether for breakfast, coffee, lunch or dinner. Friendly service and great food with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. ps Ginger has closed now. Apparently the owner Simon McCance went to head chef Opium in town which started out well in January but has since gone drastically down hill. Apparently McCance is now 'menu consultant'. Whatever that means?? Avoid at all costs! Also, some new places are rumoured to be opening in the Cathedral Quarter over the next 6-12 months to keep Nick's Warehouse and Ba Soba company. Good luck next year Hallie!