Just The Ticket..

Paula Gracey eats her fill 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 once-time-gritty end of Belfast city centre before the advent of Grand Central (on which line by is still out as to whether the £340m journey to just around the corner was really necessary?)

But what a transformation the old place has undergone! I confidently predict it will stop casual food and drink lovers in their tracks as the ambiance 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 by report, Iike 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 for greenery, set up especially for your social media 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 most of the venues are housed at weekends – 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 obsession 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 washed down by cola and spent ages chatting to some inspiring Filipino folks who had stopped in for a taste of home, always a good sign.

Turned out they were here for The Open at Port Rush and wanted some tips on getting there as they planned to drive – we told them to do so and 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 though. Add two cats, Pepsi and Shirley, and all the time seems gone.

I’ve enjoyed some time out in the garden, with quite a few stays put and evenings topping up the rosé and maybe refilling the fur – not a bad time.

Anyway, then as with this summer this 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 sharing.

Here are a couple to start with:

• Lidl Girls Pop DOC 2022 is a very pale, baby pink blush with lots of bright red fruit aromas of strawberries and redcurrants along with a hint of citrus.
  This Rosé is great with seafood, grilled fish, summer salads, and pizza. £6.49 and 12% Alcohol.
• Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie Blush DOB is a very pale pink Rosé.
  This is very clean and fresh with lots of red fruits and would cover a real crowd pleaser.

As with its wine cousins, I think it is a nice touch if you have a pan or BBQ to float some of the fresh strawberries or raspberries, in the wine, is delicious and not only looks good – you can get them when they have soaked up some of the lovely Rosé!

Paula Gracey – Monthly Food & Drink Columnist