FOOD & DRINK
WITH PAULA GRACEY
A tasty treat down by the Riverside
Paula Gracey enjoys value for money hotel dining, Hilton style
We have been to the Hilton Hotel in Belfast many times but always for all kinds of events and awards dinners, a few of which spilled over into the very comfortable bar to carry on the craic a while longer.
This time, we were going for a date night dinner in the Hilton’s Riverside Restaurant, named for its Laganside setting, on a Thursday evening after work.
No need for a taxi in the tea-time traffic – we simply jumped on the Glider from the city centre, off at Lanyon Place and a two-minute walk across the footbridge took us to the front door.
The reason for our visit was a very good value Groupon voucher (don’t we all love a bargain!). Two courses and a glass of wine for £35, amazing at current city centre prices! We were shown to cute seats by the very friendly staff and it was explained that our choices were from the Pre-Theatre Menu, which offers two starters and four mains and a choice of a glass of white, red or rosé wine, usually priced at a still reasonable £35 a head, minus the vino.
We went for the Merlot and on perusing the menu, I chose Atlantic Prawn Cocktail with warm Irish stout bread, while himself chose the warm breads starter with butter, olive oil and pesto.
My prawn cocktail was delish and he said the breads were ‘warm and salty and lovely’. The wine was served in a very generous glass and we both agreed it was good quality. The starters were served on large white plates with the tall white serving or even the tasty stout bread he eyed enviously on my plate.
The portions were good though and we were looking forward to the mains.
I went for Pan-Fried Salmon with sautéed chorizo, spinach and orzo pasta, sundried tomatoes and peppercorn dressing – absolutely delicious, full of flavour with soft flaky salmon.
The carnivore was never looking beyond the whopper of a 6oz grilled Irish beef burger with cheese and all the trimmings, choice of bun and triple cooked chips (which I can confirm were yum – he let me steal some).
For those of you interested, the calories for each choice are listed on the menu – too much information for me. When you are out for dinner you are supposed to relax and enjoy – life is too short, but that is my own personal opinion and I know it is becoming a ‘thing’ now in many restaurants.
The décor in the Riverside restaurant is all sumptuous shades of taupe, brown and chocolate with low lighting (maybe a tad low for menu reading purposes but we managed). There are cosy booths, comfortable seating and low background music – very relaxing.
And with the lighter nights coming in, the promise of panoramic views of life on the Lagan as the river meanders on its way to the Lough.
We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and will definitely go back for more affordable hotel dining, especially as we know how easy it is to get to.
CHOC-A-BLOC FOR EASTER
If you want something different this Easter, along with the traditional chocolate eggs, how about trying the M&S Outrageously Chocolatey Biscuit Egg – OMG! It is in the shape of that fabulous round biscuit with thick chocolate in the middle and biscuit coating – but it is huge, hollow and just huge!
It is thick, delicious chocolate and looks hilarious.
Or the Outrageously Chocolatey Custard Cream Biscuit Egg – absolute genius. Again, it looks like its biscuit cousin but is hollow chocolate with a layer of custard cream. I saw them on Instagram and just had to try them. At £12 each, if you are a biscuit and chocolate lover you know what to do!
To accompany them, I bought in the M&S Champagne Decadent Demi Dry Rosé, a smooth, opulent blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes.
This vibrant pink Champagne boasts rich notes of red berry and pomegranate, complemented by hints of caramel and brioche. It also pairs beautifully with fruit tarts or creamy desserts, price £26.
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