Pizza Express Bedford Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

During our stay in Belfast we went to Pizza Express, Bedford Street on the evening we arrived. This outlet was just across the street from our hotel the Holiday Inn (see also review).

We liked the architecture of the fully restored building. The Pizza Express was in a classic building with three floors and had exposed brick walls.

The staff was warm and efficient at the same time. The restaurant was extremely busy.

We ordered Sicilian lemonade, a raspberry lemonade, Pizza Pollo ad Astra, Pollo Pesto al Forno and as side dish broccolini with chilli flakes and Parmesan. All dishes were very good.

The highlight was the dessert, a Leggaria chocolate cheesecake.

We paid 36 GBP or ca. 46.10 Euro or 57.55 USD.

All dishes with the name Leggaria are more health conscious than the normal range on the menu.

We like Pizza Express's initiative to offer lower calorie and gluten free products.

Another reason is the good value and consistency - no matter where we went to so far be it in the UK or Ireland (Pizza Express took over the Milano chain, but didn't change the name.), we always received good service and good food.

We will visit this branch and others in the future again.

©2014

Restaurant Milano Dublin, Ireland

Milano is a staple in our life since we are living in Dublin. There are three outlets one at Temple Bar, one at the IFSC and one at Dawson Street.

We came fresh back from Dubai and wanted originally go to the one at Temple Bar, but the restaurant had closed for renovation, so we went to the next convenient location which is at Dawson Street.

During the Celtic Tiger we wanted to try Milano at Dawson Street, but were told at the time they were fully booked and no table was available. The space was essentially empty, so we felt they didn't want our business and had avoided this branch until now, essentially a few years past since then.

This time around we were greeted warmly and immediately brought to a table. The restaurant was buzzing and had undergone a renovation. The walls depicted famous Irish writers, like James Joyce, and excerpts from their books or poems.

We decided to have a bottle of still water, two orange juice, one Risotto Fresco, one Pizza Romana Pollo ad Astra, and as dessert two scoops of ice cream (strawberry and chocolate) and one summer fruit pudding. There was a special offer we took avail off. Our green tea and hot chocolate were free, because we ordered dessert.

As always Milano wasn't a let-down. The staff was friendly, efficient and knowledgeable, for example one of us chose a different pizza after he was advised the one he had in mind was very spicy, as in too spicy. Good choices were made.

Our bill was 50.45 Euro (ca. 63 USD).

We will return again if we are looking for a good and freshly made pizza.

©2014

Esteemed

Kristin Henriksen sighed. She dreaded going to the dinner her mother had organized. There were going to be a few of her cousins and friends of her mother - a girlie thing. Her mother Helena and the rest were all thin and attractive. Kristin was voluptuous. She had to endure comments about how fat she was or was teased and given odd advise on how to lose weight. It knocked Kristin's self-esteem down.

Encountering the new Chief Security Officer of the company she worked for changed Kristin's perception of herself.
 Coldham Fintan Noose III and she were introduced by Rory Rosales, the head of HR.

Later Fin, as Mr. Noose wanted to be called, flirted with Kristin while waiting for his appointment with Kristin's boss Trace Unger. Trace caught them but didn't comment.

One evening she was more than surprised when she was invited to a private dinner by Fin. It was intimate and only another couple, friends of Fin's wife Frieda, had joined them. Fin flirted again with Kristin. It seemed Frieda didn't mind at all and maybe even egged him on. When the other couple left, Kristin stayed. Before starting anything Fin had admired Kristin's figure and complimented her on her curves. Frieda also said she liked her boobs and well-rounded behind. Frieda was bisexual, but she accepted Kristin wasn't into girls. Fin was one lucky guy, because both women focused their attention on him. Based on Fin's character Kristin was surprised he liked being at the receiving end of anal sex. Fin was lying on the side in the middle of the bed. Frieda was at his back, penetrating him with her strap on, while Fin moved inside Kristin, who was facing him. The sex was amazing. All were satisfied and agreed to repeat it at some stage.

The encounter built up Kristin's confidence.

As always Kristin's mother needed help with the dinner preparations. It was expected of Kristin to give Helena a hand. Adrienne, Kristin's cousin, had joined them. Helena and Adrienne were chatting about which star had gained or lost weight. Kristin wasn't sure if it was for her "benefit". On the other side Adrienne was only fifteen and of course into fashion, make up and stars.
While Adrienne prepared the salad and Helena the main course Kristin made her famous mushroom ragout as a starter. When the ragout was nearly ready the rest of the guests arrived.

All being seated and having their drinks, they caught up with each other. Lori, a friend of Helena and only a few years older than Kristin, commented Kristin looked radiant. Kristin's cousin Brandy couldn't agree less. Kristin had lost a bit weight thanks to shagging more or less regularly with either Fin and Frieda or just Fin. They still showed their appreciation of Kristin's looks. It encouraged Kristin and let her feel more secure about her own body. She didn't react to Brandy's jibe. The subject, thank goodness, changed again to the newest fashion trends. "I've bought a mini skirt. It's black and really, really short." Adrienne said. "Of course it wouldn't look good on you, Kristin." Her cousin Renae added dismissive. Kristin knew what looked good on her and what didn't. Renae's comment hurt, but Kristin didn't react.

The starter was a success and Kristin was praised for it. Helena's entree, a venison meat loaf with carrots, green beans and Adrienne's salad, followed. Cider and white wine was free flowing. There were a few more barbed comments from the others, especially when Kristin took a second helping of the meat loaf. "I see the pounds already piling!" Reva, a friend of Helena, said sarcastic. "You will never find a man, if you are too fat." Michelle, another friend of Kristin's mother added. Kristin had enough. She dropped her fork with a loud clank. The conversation around her went dead. "I have enough of all of you! Just for your information I don't care if I don’t' get a man because I'm fat! There are some out, who love curves and being thin didn't help you keep your men, did it, Lori? In future I don't want to hear about eating nothing, following the cabbage diet, South Beach diet, Atkinson’s or whatever else is out there! You have made me feel bad about myself long enough, that's over now! Either you take me for who I am or leave me alone. Is that understood?" There was stunned silence for a while. Kristin expected an angry retort, but to her surprise Helena got up and hugged Kristin awkwardly. "I'm sorry. It was never my intention. I simply thought you need an incentive to get fit and healthy." "There are better ways to motivate me, Mom. I would have appreciated your support much more, but I'm happy the way I am." "I only fear you get diabetes or suffer a stroke when you are older, because of your diet..." "Mom, I'm eating a varied and healthy diet. The only thing I have to work on is getting more active..." "Why don't you join a fitness center?" Kristin's cousin Jerri suggested. "It's boring." "I go regularly to a Zumba class. Would you like to come and join me?" Jerri number two, a friend of Helena's, invited. "It involves dancing and aerobics, doesn't it? Adrienne asked. "Yes. It's fun and burns a lot of calories." "As you know I'm a cheer leader. You could look into that too." Adrienne offered. Swimming, Pilates, Boot camp training, boxing or kick boxing were other suggestions. Michelle and Lori were less supportive and had their doubts Kristin was able to change. They said Kristin would always be fat, because she wasn't going to get her lame ass off the couch. Kristin told them their snide remark was out of place. The other two didn't back down, so there were tensions in the air. Kristin hoped that her mother would support her for the first time in her life and wasn't disappointed. "Kristin is an adult and if she's happy how she is, we should leave her be." Kristin was very proud, but it didn't go down well with Helena's friends, who tried to make Helena decide between her daughter and them. "Blood is thicker than water! My daughter is always going to win over outsiders. It's up to you if this is a reason to forget about the good times we had or not." Grumbling the two friends stayed, but they were disgusted with Helena's lack of back bone and that Kristin was standing up for herself.

Kristin found an activity she really liked beside sex. Frieda, Jamie Lu, Fin's PA and friend of the Nooses, and Kristin went wall climbing one afternoon. It was fun, exhilarating and a challenge. Frieda wasn't such a big fan, but Jamie Lu and Kristin were hooked, so the two went regularly. While Jamie Lu was always trim, Kristin shed more pounds. Kristin had never felt better then after being taking up an activity and even started to take part in competitions. Her favorite was pitching herself against another climber. This type of wall climbing was called dual competition, because it used a mix of lead and speed discipline. An identical, parallel route was laid out for both competitors and whoever reached the top first won. Kristin never came in first place, but sometimes was in the top ten. It made Kristin very happy when her mother found time come to a comp and cheer her on. Their relationship changed for the better and they spent more time with each other, going even shopping together.

©2014 

Ibn Battuta Mall & Cinnabon Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Ibn Battuta Mall is one of our favorite malls. It is located near Jebel Ali and very easy to reach by Metro or of course car/taxi and even by bus.

It is appealing to us, because the whole building is dedicated to the travels of the 9th century explorer Ibn Battuta. Each section of the mall is designed after a country/empire or region Ibn Battuta visited.

There are also exhibits, describing how navigation, water clocks and other things functioned in the past, so the mall combines education, architecture and retail very well. It has a cinema, a Geant supermarket and a food court beside retailers like Bed, Bath & Beyond, Coton and Max.

At the moment an extension of 200 shops and restaurants is on-going.

A Carluccio's has newly opened.

We strolled a bit, but also did some shopping and had a snack at Cinnabon.

The staff was happy to have us and very friendly.

We had two Mochalata and two classic cinnamon rolls. At first the snack was great, but after a certain time both the drinks and rolls turned cloyingly sweet. Our tastes must have changed a bit over the years and next time we will share a large roll.

The cost was 65 AED (ca. 14.05 Euro or ca. 17.75 USD).

The Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel - operated by Moevenpick - is just across the road from the mall and a visit would be for us incomplete if not going there.

Next time in Dubai we will return to this mall via the Metro Dubai and explore the extension in the future, enjoy the atmosphere and shop a bit.

©2014 

IFI (Irish Film Institute) Experience Dublin, Ireland

This is a blog post I will update whenever we saw a movie or short films at the Irish Film Institute.
  
28.09.2014 Willow and Wind - Beed-o baad from 2000 - Iranian Movie

Written by Abbas Kiarostami

Directed by Mohammad-Ali Talebi

Starring Hadi Alipour, Amir Janfada, Majid Alipour, Mohammad Sharif Ebrahimi

Plot: A young school boy was ordered to walk a long way to purchase a piece of window glass larger than he could carry back to his school. The weather was bitter and the wind so strong that he almost failed on the road. He tried hard and finally moved the load back to the classroom where he was supposed to fix up a broken window. He was all alone and no one to turn for help. The glass blew crushed in pieces by the wind...

Source Wikipedia.

Here is also a link to The Guardian Review of the film.

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/apr/10/willow-and-wind-review-iran-child-film



01.11.2014 Archive at Lunchtime: Double Bill (Programs 1 & 2)

Program 1 

Tribulations Irlandaises from 1960's

This French newsreel presents a whirlwind tour of 1960s Ireland.

La Reve Celtique from 1978

Made by Frédéric Rossif for French television La Rève Celtique presents Ireland as a country of ethereal landscapes, inspiring generations of traditional Irish musicians.

Program 2

Belfast from 1897

The first films made on the streets of Belfast produced by the film pioneers Les frères Lumière

81 from 1997

Director Stephen Burke imagines a French film crew in Belfast to cover the Hunger Strikes in 1981. They interview a Catholic and Protestant family, living within feet of each other, similar in every way but for their politics.



02.11.2014 IDA from 2013 - Polish Movie

Written  by  Rebecca Lenkiewicz & Pawel Pawlikowski

Directed by Pawel Pawlikowski


Starring Agata Trzebuchowska, Agata Kulesza, Dawid Ogrodnik


Plot: Agata Trzebuchowska, making a powerful debut) is required to visit her Aunt Wanda, her only surviving relative, before taking her final vows. Her hard-living aunt is a proud member of the Communist Party, and a judge whose fervent prosecution of enemies of the state has earned her the nickname ‘Red Wanda’. Initially wary of each other due to their vast differences, their relationship is complicated by Wanda’s revelation that Anna was once Ida, born to Jewish parents of whom no trace remains. In search of her origins, Anna travels into the Polish countryside with her aunt, seeking a connection to the family she never knew, her faith tested in this and other, more earthly ways. Beautifully shot, Pawlikowski’s spare and affecting film is a strong addition to Polish cinema’s body of work examining the country’s troubled history.

Source IFI


09.11.14 Playtime from 1967 - French Movie

Written by Jacques Tati, Jacques Lagrange & Art Buchwald

Directed by Jacques Tati

Starring Jacques Tati


Plot: Taking over three years and costing 17 million francs to make, Jacques Tati’s Playtime was by far the director’s most ambitious and fully realised film project. Shot on a vast and stylised purpose-built set known as Tativille, the film portrays a modernist Paris dominated by high-rises all cast in glass and polished metal. Reprising his role as the tragi-comic Monsieur Hulot, a mostly solitary and silent figure, Tati appears only peripherally and yet is as close as we get to a protagonist.
The only other mainstay is a young American tourist called Barbara with whom Hulot shares a subtle and beautifully drawn connection. But attention here is much more on the balletic movement of people through space, and, particularly in the riotous and intricate restaurant scene, several incidents often occur on screen at once, making this an extraordinary cinematic experience like no other. (Notes by Alice Butler.)

Here is a link to a review about the film:

http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-playtime-1967
 

Source IFI



08.12.14 Stations of the Cross from 2014 - German Movie

Written by Dietrich Brueggemann & Anna Brueggemann



Directed by Dietrich Brueggemann

Starring Hanns Zischler, Birge Schade, Florian Stetter, Franziska Weisz, Ramin Yazdani, Lucie Aron, Moritz Knapp, Klaus Michael Kamp, Lea van Acken, Georg Wesch

Plot: Maria (Lea van Acken) is a devout 14-year-old Catholic girl counting down the days to her confirmation. She is determined to devote her life to Jesus and longs to attain sainthood. Encouraged by her fundamentalist family, and just like Jesus on the road to Golgotha, Maria embarks on a fraught path measured out in 14 stations and leading to her own sacrifice, resolutely resisting being distracted from her course, despite attracting attention from Christian (Moritz Knapp), a boy she meets at school.
Filmmaker Dietrich Brüggemann presents each chapter of Maria’s story in static, single shots, each incident framed impeccably, and it is an arresting and inventive device that serves the intensity of the drama. Stations of the Cross is a rigorous examination of radical faith and devotion, a study of the dangers of unquestioning dogma that is daring, intelligent, and slyly humourous.
Sources IFI, Wikipedia



07.01.15  Archive at Lunchtime: Double Bill (Programs 1 & 2)

PROGRAMME 1

AMHARC ÉIREANN: EAGRÁN 240 
New Year’s sale fever in Dublin
FILM INFO: 3 minutes, 1964, Black and White

CÁ N-IMÍONN AN T'AIRGEAD/
WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
Thrifty shopping habits for young men and women.
FILM INFO: 10 minutes, 1954, Black and White

CIALL CHEANNAIGH
Guinness Film Society’s minutely observed day in the life of Cornelscourt Shopping Centre
FILM INFO: 11 minutes, 1970, Black and White

PROGRAMME 2

CLERY’S DEPARTMENT STORE
Early days of Clery’s with its life-sized model zoo, bargain basement and delightful tea rooms.
FILM INFO: 3 minutes, 1932, Black and White

OUR COUNTRY
A party political broadcast for Clann na Poblachta in which director Liam O Laoghaire plays an apologetic shop-keeper.
FILM INFO: 7 minutes, 1948, Black and White

THE END OF THE COUNTER
It’s 1965 and it’s out with the over-the-counter and in with the self-service in Matt Melia’s shop.                                                                                
FILM INFO: 11 minutes, 2013, Colour


07.01.15 The Green Ray (Le Rayon Verte) from 1986

Written by Eric Rohmer and Marie Riviere

Directed by Eric Rohmer

Starring Marie Riviere

Plot:
It is summer and Delphine is stranded in Paris just when everybody else is leaving the city for their holidays. She has just ended a relationship and she is desperate for an escape. A number of pitying invitations result in unsatisfying trips to Cherbourg, to
the Alps and to the beach. Her parents try and persuade her to travel to Ireland, but she doesn’t want to spend time with them.
Delphine appears desperate for love, for romance or just for a connection, but her manner insists that she wants those things
on her own terms. Rohmer’s acute, earnest observation on relationships and feminine behaviour remains fascinating and relevant, in no small part because of Marie Rivière’s irresistible performance as Delphine. In a largely improvised film, her presence is believable, precious, honest and beautiful, affording The Green Ray a disarming daringness.

Sources IFI, Wikipedia


©2015
 

Promotion

Philip Maxwell felt utterly relaxed. He had been away for two weeks. His peace of mind was shattered within seconds.

The new Chief Security Officer Coldham Fintan Noose III had been attacked while Philip had been on vacation. He had been knocked unconscious and beaten up while on duty, stopping a burglary in its tracks. Fin, as the CSO wanted to be called, had asked Philip to come and visit him at his home, when he was finally able to reach him. Philip wondered what Fin wanted from him.

Philip felt a bit awkward, when he arrived with his beat up Honda CR-V at Fin's very posh neighborhood. He found the house easy and was welcomed by Frieda, Fin's wife. She was a surprise. Fin was light ash blonde and of European descent. He preferred to wear only black designer clothing. Philip thought it was an Italian brand. Frieda was Latina and wore a simple jeans and a colorful t-shirt. She looked very young. Philip liked Frieda immediately. She was warm, seemed down to earth and less stern than Fin. Frieda explained Fin was asleep. They heard screams. "Uhm, it seems Fin has a nightmare. I'll better wake him up." Before rushing off Frieda offered Philip to take a seat at the kitchen table. Philip hadn't been comfortable for long before he jumped up in fright. Something had touched him. Overcoming his shock Philip checked under the table and found a toddler, grinning broadly at him. The little girl looked very much like Frieda, so Philip assumed she was Frieda's daughter. Philip burst out laughing, amused he had been frightened by a small kid. Frieda returned at that moment and said smiling: "I see you have met Casey already." "How old is your daughter?" Philip asked. "17 months." "Casey is really cute." "Yes, and a lot of work too." Frieda replied with a smile. "By the way Fin is ready for you." Fin had come down to the living room, where Frieda brought Philip to. Fin was looking rough around the edges and not as well groomed as he usually did. Philip had a hard time not to stare at the cast on Fin's left leg or the fading bruise on Fin's cheek. He couldn't see any further injuries, but he noticed Fin was in pain. Fin didn't pause for small talk. He came straight to the point. "Where have you been on the night between 01.00 am and 02.00 am of the 19th of August?" Philip understood immediately what this was all about. He bristled and in his anger jumped up from the sofa. "Come on, you can't be serious!" Fin just looked calmly at Philip. Cooling down somewhat Philip replied: "I was in Portland. At first at a Dinosaur Jr. concert and then hanging out with some friends at a bar. I think we were there until two or so." "Alright." "That's it?!" "Yes, it was just pro forma. I know you're not the one, who broke into the company and attacked me." Philip was outraged. "Why are you asking then?" "Mr. Powell wanted an alibi." Philip blew through his nose. His uncle and CEO of the company he worked for, suspected naturally him being behind the break ins and fraud, since Philip's father was a criminal. Philip had enough and wanted to quit. He said as much to Fin. He also said resigned: "I guess you are going to investigate behind my back again if it's true what I'm saying." Fin had done some back ground checks when he heard from a "source" Philip’s father was a robber and serving a long prison sentence. Philip thought the source had been his uncle Stanford Powell. "No, but if you could provide me with the invoice of the hotel you have stayed at..." "Like hell I will!" "Look, if you do what I ask you for, I might can do you a favor too." "Really?" Philip asked sarcastic. "Really." Fin replied with a grin. "And what would that favor be?" "I'll have to get Mr. Powell first around to support my idea... If I'm successful it would definitely proof to everyone that you aren't guilty." Philip looked up startled. Someone had spread the rumour he was behind the crime and a few co-workers ostracized him. He suspected the situation was worse now thanks to the new burglary attempt. Philip wondered how Fin knew about it. The offer was tempting. "I'd like to see how you get my uncle around." Now it was Fin's turn to be surprised. "He's what?" "My uncle. My mother and he are siblings. He is seven years younger than Mom." "Okay." If Fin had come to his own conclusions why Stanford had been so adamant Philip was the thief and so totally unwilling to promote his nephew within the company he didn't show it. Philip promised to drop his evidence by.
Frieda knocked and told them dinner was ready. Philip didn't expect the invitation was extended to him and another reason he wanted to leave was his dislike for burritos and chili con carne. He believed Frieda was Mexican, where the majority of Hispanic immigrants to the US came from. Philip's experience with Latinos was limited, because they only made up around six per cent of Seattle's population. Since Frieda and Fin didn't take no for an answer, Philip agreed to have dinner with the couple. He offered to help Fin up, who told him it was okay. It seemed Fin had experience with crutches and didn't need support. The dinner was a pleasant surprise. The setting was simple, but elegant. Casey was already sitting in her high chair and couldn't wait for the meal to begin. She made urgent noises and stretched her arms out, when Frieda served Philip first. Fin told Casey soothing: "Guests come first, darling. Don't worry, it's your turn next." Casey quietened down as soon as she received her portion of the Khmer beef salad. It was delicious Philip admitted and not what he had expected. When he asked where the recipe came from, Frieda told him they had picked it up during their honey moon trip two years earlier. Turning to Fin Philip asked about the nightmare. Fin said short: "I don't want to talk about it." Frieda gave Fin a concerned look, but he ignored it. Philip cleared his throat and instead talked about the first part of his vacation he had spent at Salmon River, just a little over an hour outside Portland, with his grandfather. They both loved fishing. Fin admitted freely he was an urbanite and didn't care very much about fishing. He and Frieda liked water sports, especially scuba diving. After dinner Philip went home, wondering why he had agreed to hand over evidence he had been really in Oregon and how Fin was going to proof to the public Philip wasn't the bad guy and convince Uncle Stanford of it too.


Philip dropped off the invoice he had received for his stay in Portland the next day.

Three days later Stanford Powell's Personal Assistant arranged an appointment with Philip. Stanford was pretending to be busy, when Philip entered. "Take a seat." Stanford said, not looking up from his papers. He let his nephew stew for a few minutes before he paid any attention to him. "You are lucky you have such a staunch supporter in Mr. Noose. He's 100% sure you are innocent and since he is the authority in his field I trust him." Philip gave his uncle a baleful glare. Their relationship was difficult. Philip had found out by coincidence that Stanford had only given him a fulltime job in return of Philip's mother cleaning Stanford's house for free for years. It had made Philip resentful, because Stanford could have easily afforded a cleaning lady if he had wanted to. Philip’s mother Deana had a hard enough life in the first place and Philip thought they all were family, so Stanford should have supported him and Deana without making demands. Returning to the present he didn't reply. Stanford sighed. "Mr. Noose suggested the company should look for an additional security guard. For the moment it's only when one of the other team members is sick or on holiday. You will of course receive full training if you agree to take on the position and it includes night shifts. The position might turns into something more permanent, if it proves to make sense. Would you be interested in being our reserve security guard?" Philip wanted to refuse out of rebellion, but decided to take on the job. First it would rankle Stanford, Philip had finally managed to escape the warehouse - if only partly; second it was a challenge and third it definitely proved Philip had nothing to do with the break ins. The Chief Security Officer wouldn't invite the suspected perpetrator to join his team. So much was for sure.

Fin had been right. People, who had eyed Philip before with suspicion, were suddenly back to treating Philip as usual.

For Philip it meant spending a lot of time with Fin, Aurelio and Adrain from the security team.
Philip found out soon why Fin had been selected to replace Michael Kuraite, the former CSO. He was younger than all team members, but seemed to have quite a lot of experience in security matters. He was better than the others and saw things they overlooked. Philip realized Fin could get easily into the mind-set of a criminal and wasn't surprised when Fin solved who was really responsible for the theft and fraud. It was a bigger shock that nearly all the management had to be replaced and Fin's announcement he was going to leave the company. He chose his successor, which caused a few tongue wagging. It had always been assumed the new CSO would be Ty Hansen, Michael Kuraite's and later Fin's deputy. Instead Fin selected Sammy Metz, another security guard. It meant Philip was offered a permanent position on the security team, which he accepted. Sammy proved to be a worthy successor - it was no wonder having been handpicked and intensely trained by Fin before he left. Philip liked his new job. It was sometimes boring, but could be also demanding and exciting. Philip had never thought he had a talent for it and surprised himself and his uncle. They never were very close, but they started to trust and respect each other. When Sammy retired he suggested to Stanford to promote Philip. He had groomed the CEO's nephew any way and was glad when the CEO agreed to make Philip Chief Security Officer. At first Philip was worried if he would be able to fulfil the demands of the job. Slowly he grew into the position and if he needed help he knew he could always contact Sammy or Fin, with whom he had stayed in contact over all those years.




©2014 

The Junction Restaurant & Bar, Holiday Inn Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

During our stay at the Holiday Inn Belfast we had dinner at the Junction Restaurant & Bar.

The space has two sections: Near the entrance is the bar - there is sometimes live music - and the restaurant.

When we arrived the bar was busy with a large ladies group. The restaurant was only occupied with a family.

Since there was no Maître de, we chose our table in the contemporary space.

There were floor to ceiling windows along one side allowing day light to flood the room.

At first we had some difficulty getting the attention of one of the waitresses, because they were kept busy by the group. The wait was worth it, though and the service attentive from then on.

The menu was a mix of classic, modern, local and international dishes.

We ordered two orange juice, one glass of Chilean Rose, a glass of Tia Maria without ice, two salmon fillets with mango salsa and a salad consisting of green leaves, sun dried tomatoes and anchovies, a sticky toffee pudding and a fruit salad.

The presentation was very nice, for example the mango salsa came in its own little steel bucket.

The wine was surprisingly dark colored. It was more red than rose. It was dry with fruity notes and to my liking.

The salmon was cooked to perfection and the salsa finger licking good.

The salad was nicely balanced between being sweet and salty.

The toffee pudding was very good too.

The bill came in at slightly under 57 GBP (ca. 72.40 Euro or ca. 91.90 USD).

Would we recommend this restaurant to a friend? YES!
Would we eat at The Junction Restaurant again? YES.

©2014