Home - Review

Service: 8/10

Food: 9/10

Recommended For: Group Meal

Home started life as a pop-up restaurant on Callender street, the predecessor to the now-renowned Bubbacue. Proving itself to be so popular, the guys of the Mourne Seafood Bar decided to open a fully-fledged restaurant in a prime city-centre location. 

On entering the restaurant, I was dismayed to see that one of the front doors had been boarded over, somewhat ruining the finely polished exterior. Inside, the restaurant (much like the pop-up) is still adorned with mismatched ReFound furniture - unique second-hand, refurbished pieces which can be purchased, as can the pictures by local artists peppering the walls. Overall there is a wonderful home-ly feel, befitting of the name. The interior is split into two sections, the first is a grab'n'go deli section with a variety of delicious salads and pre-made sandwiches, the second is the more formal, table-service seated area. We arrived in a large group to a prepared table and were greeted with menus within moments. Our drinks orders were taken and all were delivered but one, which had gotten lost along the way. 

Trying to decide what to order from the menu was a challenge in itself, but I finally opted for the Salt n Chilli fried squid with asian slaw, chilli jam and mayo with a side of the polenta fries. The squid was perfectly cooked and wonderfully seasoned and although I had only ordered the smaller portion, the bowl I received was packed, incredible value for money. I hadn't tried polenta fries prior to this and so wasn't quite sure what to expect. They definitely weren't 'fry' shaped, which somewhat threw me off, but they had the most interesting texture - I can see the reasoning for drawing parallels to potato-based sides, as it had a similar starch-y taste, but the polenta fries were much more brittle. Overall, the food was spectacular - the pea risotto and very reasonably priced half-lobster were notably good. Everything had strong, stand-alone flavours and were complimented well by their accompaniments.

Salt n Chilli fried squid with chilli jam and mayo and polenta fries

Apart from the minor blip at the beginning with the drinks order, the service was great - handling a group of ten with ease and extremely promptly. The food is well priced for the quality and portions and the menu is extensive - even offering a full vegetarian menu. In a short period of time, this has become one of Belfast's staple restaurants, earning its spot with consistently good food and service. Hopefully it stays on the scene for a long time to come!

Home Restaurant

22 Wellington Place, Belfast

028 9023 4946

www.homepopup.com

Chubby Cherub - Review

Service: 8/10

Food: 8/10

Recommended For: Romantic Meal

This restaurant looks quite unassuming from the outside, but upon entering you are greeted by the epitome of 'shabby chic' -angelic cherubs grace the painted walls, vines of ivy drape from the ceiling between a few too many chandeliers. The whole restaurant has a wonderful atmosphere and the 'Cupid's Corner' table offers an even more intimate experience for a dining couple. 

The service received was excellent, with our drinks and food orders being taken by a very attentive and friendly waiter. From the lunch menu we chose the crab and chili risotto and the Lasagne al Forno. To be perfectly honest, any time I come to this restaurant I can't help but order one of their risottos - they usually have a daily special and it never disappoints. The flavours are always well balanced and the rice cooked to perfection. On this occasion it was no different, the risotto was wonderful and the lasagne, while it didn't bowl me over, was quite tasty - the garlic crostini which accompanied it particularly so. And then we got to the star of the show.

The Tiramisu served here is easily the best I have tried in Belfast. It is rare to find that the alcohol does not overpower the dessert, but the Chubby Cherub have perfected their recipe - the flavours are beautifully decadent. It is presented with copious amounts of chocolate shavings, having a few morello cherries dotted throughout to add a welcome twist to the traditional Italian dish. 

Image courtesy of LoveBelfast

The lunch menu is very reasonably priced with their main dishes averaging £8 and desserts £5. While the evening menu is slightly pricier, the atmosphere in the evening with fairy lights and candles lit in wine bottles at each table is totally worth it.

Having recently been rated the No.1 Italian restaurant in Belfast by TripAdvisor, the Chubby Cherub is finally receiving recognition for something it has been doing well for years, hopefully it's only onward and upward.

Chubby Cherub
49A Upper Arthur St, Belfast
028 9031 2964
www.chubbycherubbelfast.com

Robinson & Cleaver - Review

Service: 4/10

Food: 5/10

Recommended For: Business Meetings

The Robinson & Cleaver building in Belfast has long been remembered for it's sweeping staircase and up-market wares. It re-opened on Monday, after having closed its doors in 1984, in the form of the new Robinson & Cleaver Urban Deli and 'The Terrace', Belfast's latest rooftop restaurant.

On entering, a very eager greeter awaited to usher customers into the deli and regrettably inform of the wait for the Terrace (as tables can only be booked in the evenings and for tables of six or more). As it has only been opened for a few days, they are amidst a 'service regulation' regime - meaning the restaurant is only half full at any one time. One would assume this is to ensure the few customers that are being served are receiving stellar service, but it seems regulating their service isn't doing the trick.

We were seated swiftly in the restaurant, drinks orders were taken and food menus delivered. A menu of Dundrum mussels, sustainable fish pie and "the terrace steak sandwich" boasting locally sourced produce was promising, however after waiting 20 minutes for our order to be taken, our excitement had somewhat ebbed. This wasn't helped by the fact that while waiting we had also received the incorrect drinks. When a waitress finally arrived, we asked how long the food was taking to come from the kitchen, "not longer than 20 minutes,.provided you don't order a well-done steak sandwich that is!" was the response. We ordered the Glenarm shorthorn burger along with the mussels, and after much confusion over whether or not they actually had any left, a side of skinny fries. The delivery was surprisingly swift for a lunchtime service, but we didn't receive the burger as we'd ordered - but a well-done steak sandwich. We were lavished with apologies and although they were quick to fix any mistakes that were made, it didn't excuse the sheer volume of them. 

The burger, while well cooked was but a fraction of the size of the bun that it arrived in and was served with a small portion of relish on the side, resulting in an overall very dry burger experience. The mussels, normally served with a thin white wine sauce or garlic butter, were dished up in a thick roux. While this was a novel take, the sauce was completely flavourless and unseasoned, in no way complimenting the flavours of the Dundrum staple. The mussels were accompanied by two slices of sourdough bread, one slice of which was stale and the skinny fries which had eventually been located were of the frozen, store-bought variety.

View from the Terrace

I had high hopes for this new restaurant, following such successful new launches in Belfast such as Ox, but I was thoroughly underwhelmed. I will still give the Urban Deli a fair shake as its fresh fruit juices, sandwiches and salad bar looked tempting and reasonably priced. As for the Terrace, I'll maybe visit again in a few months when it has found it's feet, but for now, it's sayonara from me.

Robinson & Cleaver

1-3 Donegall Square N, Belfast

Urban Deli: 028 9031 2538

The Terrace: 028 9031 2666

http://www.robinsonandcleaver.com/