Room2 to Eat, Drink and Relax at Winnie’s, All Day Long
Paula Gracey shares her new after-work drinks destination.
On my “working in the office” days I pass Room2, the Belfast Hometel, every morning on Queen Street in the city centre and I love sneaking a peek at everyone sitting in Winnie’s café, bar and dining room, enjoying their tasty looking breakfast, planning their day, some looking at maps and guidebooks on their phones and reading leaflets about Belfast.
It makes me jealous and want to be away on a city break with a day of adventure ahead! As I passed the entrance last week, a group of Americans were gathered on the red carpet at the door discussing their plans, one of which was to “go see Fibber Magee’s” for that authentic Irish pub feel.
I have not experienced the breakfasts myself, much as I would like to call in for another coffee before I start work, but I have enjoyed many pleasant after-work drinks there, as well as “work do’s” as you can hire out an area at the back for private events.
The food is excellent, all locally sourced and there is an All Day Menu with plenty to choose from, like sharing plates with bread and hummus, chicken wings, charcuterie plates and lots more.
There are also burgers and a range of home classics. I recommend the homemade fishcakes served with crispy lettuce and potato wedges — delish. There is a soup of the day, mac & cheese and beef stew to name a few more.
There are even kids portions and a selection of yummy desserts, the apple crumble and ice-cream especially.
They offer a pre-theatre dinner for £35.00 for two people sharing, which has a charcuterie board, Mike’s fancy cheese platter and a bottle of wine. You can also enjoy live music most evenings from 6.00pm, but it is not loud and in your face. You can have a conversation and enjoy the music at the same time.
I am currently working my way through an excellent cocktail list and a great wine list but, if tea is your tipple of choice, the Rosie Lee Tea Room offers a wide selection of delicious teas to try, which are tailored for morning, afternoon and evening sipping like Fairtrade Assam, Gunpowder Green, Spring Berry, and Orange Grove Vanilla, to name a few.
Room2 has become our destination of choice for an after-work glass of wine, so I hope I see you there soon!
Roo Beauty
As summer is hopefully, finally here, and you are probably entertaining family and friends in the garden for BBQs and picnics, you might like to stock up on a firm favourite crowd pleaser of ours, Jammy Red Roo by Yellow Tail Wines.
It is a vibrant, easy-drinking Australian red wine made from a blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and other red varietals, making it full of fruit aromas and flavours.
It has a lovely sweetness with notes of juicy berries, vanilla and chocolate and I guarantee you people who don’t even drink red will love this!
Its big fruity flavours go well with smoky BBQ food and rich tomato dishes, but it doesn’t need food to be appreciated.
It is highly recommended to serve Jammy Red Roo slightly chilled to enhance its sweetness, so fill a bucket with iced water in the garden, plonk in a few bottles and enjoy!
Currently flying off the shelves at Tesco for £7.50 Clubcard price.
