Just the ticket… Paula Gracey eats her Fil at The Halt, Belfast’s exciting new food and drink destination
ONE more stop before home after work, we decided to check out The Halt, Belfast’s newest new food and drink destination at the old Europa bus and train station.
As regular rail commuters we were no strangers to the one-time gateway to Belfast city centre before the advent of Grand Central (on which the jury is still out as to whether the £m journey to just around the corner was really necessary?)
But what a transformation the old place has undergone! I confidently predict it will stop food and drink lovers in their tracks and become an in-place as word gets round.
Like the old station, you can access it via the Great Victoria Street main entrance or down the side in Glengall Street but once you step inside it is a whole new experience.
This time we weren’t dashing for a train and could take in all the new food stalls and bars. Loads of street food choices from burgers and pizza to chicken and even lasagne and, happy to report, like the drinks menu, not overpriced.
There are plenty of tables and chairs to eat, drink and meet up with friends and great background music gives it a lovely atmosphere.
I made use of the fabulous living wall of greenery, set up especially for your social medial pics.
I had also heard the toilets were very snazzy so, of course, I had to make a visit and indeed the artwork is fab!
On a recommendation for our first visit, we chose a fantastic Filipino restaurant, Kubo in the old Great Northern Mall approach, where we were met with the friendliest of welcomes – and you can bring your own wine.
I chose their Kubo Jolli Chicken which was tossed in a lemongrass and ginger sticky sauce and served with rice, while the Chicken Wings obsessive couldn’t look past his favourite dish which were jumbo sized and I didn’t hear a peep out of him as he devoured them!
We shared chunky fries on the side which were also delicious and got chatting to some visiting Filipino folks who had stopped in for a taste of home, always a good sign.
Turned out they were here for The Open golf at Portrush and wanted some tips on getting there as they planned to drive – we told them to do as we did and let the train take the strain!
These Rosés will grow on you
WELL we can’t complain about the summer so far, compared to some of the washouts we have endured over the years and we’ve even had a few mini-heatwaves no less! Of course, I heard some complaints about the heat – not from me I might add. You can’t please all of the people, all of the time it seems.
My two cats, Pepsi and Shirley, seemed to enjoy it and spent most of the time zonked out on the cold tiles in the kitchen or in the shade with a breeze ruffling their fur – not a bad life.
Anyway, when the sun’s out, the Rosé is out and I have been trying quite a few this summer. Your local Lidl is a great place to start with their fantastic range of well priced Rosé wines, perfect for picnics and BBQ days.
Here are a couple to start with…
We are off to France for the first one – Lidl Gris Pays D’Oc 2022 (above) is a very pale, barely there blush wine with lots of bright red fruit aromas and flavours, strawberries, redcurrants along with a hint of citrus. This Rosé is great with seafood, grilled fish, summer salads, priced £6.49 and 12% Alcohol.
Over to Italy for a very pale pink Rosé – Pinot Grigio Della Venezie Blush DOB, £5.23 and 11% alcohol.
This is a very clean and fresh wine, dry and crisp and very food friendly. This would cover a lot of bases, food wise and is a real crowd pleaser. As with lots of Rosé wines, I think it is a nice touch if you are having a party or BBQ to float some berries in the glass, strawberries or raspberries, whatever, is delicious and not only looks good – you can eat them when they have soaked up some of the lovely Rosé!
Pinot Grigio Della Venezie Blush
