Sister Beau-jangles… A relative newcomer in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter hits all the right notes for our reviewer PAULA GRACEY
SO I’ve got a new Beau…..no, not a new husband, one is quite enough for anyone thank you – a new restaurant called Beau.
Newly opened and located in Warehouse Lane, next door to the fabled Muddlers Club, off Waring Street in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, this newcomer to the restaurant scene is a sister establishment to one of our favourites, EDŌ in Queen Street.
The concept is the same with lots of small plates for tapas style eating but, rather than the Spanish emphasis in EDŌ, Beau is European with an enticing choice of starters, fish, meat, vegetable, side and sweets.
We had booked for Thursday evening and it was already filling up when we arrived at 7.30pm. Inside is a lovely bright, light space, lending itself to a great vibe yet not so loud you can’t hear yourself talk.
The staff were very friendly and informative, explaining that we could choose as many dishes as we wanted and they come out as and when they are ready.
Being hungry, as always, we chose seven dishes between the two of us, in case of starvation, but we need not have worried.
Tapas menus can sometimes induce eyes bigger than belly syndrome, resulting in a bill to match, but here the staff kept us right, cautioning us against over-ordering.
To begin, the sourdough bread with olive oil was warm and delicious and we got a quarter of a round loaf each to dip into the olive oil – an extra £3.00 will add a delicious Nduja paste to the dish.
Himself ordered the Lamb Rib with Hung Yogurt (interesting name) and I chose a whole roast mackerel with horseradish – OMG! It was so good! It arrived exactly as promised… a whole mackerel, head, tail and everything in between, beautifully roasted and the flavour was amazing – I was in heaven.
The lamb produced lots of ‘mmm’ noises and I am told it was amazing.
A Langoustine Ceviche then arrived, tasty and refreshing alongside the mackerel and, of course, we had a bowl of tasty, rustic chips.
Baby gem and anchovies finished off our choice of dishes and what an array of beautiful flavours. A bottle of really good white Rioja helped the whole food party go with a swing and we had a fantastic time.
The toilets were spotless and very accessible, as was the whole restaurant – a credit to the innovation of owners Lottie Noren, of ‘Great British Menu’ fame, and Jonny Elliott.
Like EDŌ, I am sure it will become a destination spot if it isn’t already.
Great vibe in Beau
