Welcome to our weekly “TGB Tuesday Goodie Bag”.
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Top Places to Eat in Belfast
Fruit Shop, Upper Ormeau Road, Belfast
I remembered this little café-right at the top of the Ormeau Road where it becomes the Saintfield Road-as a favourite local eatery of my Dad’s, so I was interested to note that in more recent times it had become the intriguingly titled “Fruit Shop”. And what a transformation! An adventurous, eclectic menu, a wide variety of hot and cold drinks, and indulgent pastry specials which are freshly baked every day on the premises.
We chose two vegan brunch options; Okonomiyaki– a Japanese sweet potato and savoy cabbage pancake, with Chinese chive miso’naise, okonomiyaki sauce, pickled radish, cashew & blood orange furikake, smashed cucumber, and scallion salad, and Gado Gado Potato Hash-turmeric new potatoes, spicy roasted cashew sauce, crispy tofu, green beans, pickled vegetables, wilted greens, and charred broccolini. Both dishes were bursting with flavour, and fragrant with fresh herbs and earthy spices.
Although the portion sizes are generous and filling, the temptingly displayed array of pastries drew us back to the counter, and we chose a phenomenal looking dark chocolate covered Florentine, as big as a side-plate, and gluten-free & vegan to boot!! The menu changes frequently so next time you’re in South Belfast and looking for somewhere different to try, pop into Fruit Shop and see what’s on offer.
Coppi, St Anne’s Square, Belfast
Since opening its doors in St Anne’s Square in 2012, Coppi has been one of our very favourite restaurant recommendations in the city centre. The contemporary New York-style subway tiles, aged wood and subtle lighting create an intimate and relaxed vibe. Bicycle handlebar coat hooks pay homage to the restaurant’s namesake, Angelo Fausto Coppi. Using many local ingredients, the talented chefs at Coppi have created an array of tempting Italian style dishes catering for all dietary requirements.
We started our meal with Cicchetti: small savoury snacks typically served in the traditional Bacari Bars in Venice. The moreish Feta Fritters & Truffle Honey have been on the menu since the beginning, and we believe there would be an outcry if they were ever removed! We also loved the Tomato, Basil & Mozzarella Arancini, the King Prawn Pil Pil, and the Chilli Hummus with Pasta Crisps, all accompanied by crunchy Italian Breads and Tapenade.
For mains we had the Seafood Agnolotti stuffed with delicious Portavogie Prawns, Scallops & Crab in a rich Shellfish Bisque.
The Slaney Valley Lamb Chops were perfectly cooked and came with Pepperonata, Crispy Gnocchi, and Pistachio & Mint Pesto. There was also a beautiful fish special of Pan Fried Seabass with Crispy Gnocchi, Peas, Chard, & Sweet Roast Pepper Sauce.
Thanks, Coppi, for a wonderful evening of Italian indulgence.
Shout of the Week
Culture Night, Belfast
Culture Night Belfast this year is definitely not the same as years gone by.
Replacing the previous city centre based programme of street-based activity and pop-up events, this year the creative team led by local artist Gawain Morrison has revealed ambitious plans to create a vast structural, lighting and sound installation, “The Ogham Grove”, that will fill the Cathedral Quarter’s Writers’ Square transforming it into a unique and sensory experience for anyone attending.
This audio-visual event will be running from Friday September 17th to Sunday September 19th.
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