TRY A BELFAST BLONDE AT MOLLY'S YARD
I have recently discovered the delights of Molly's Yard on Botanic Avenue. This quaint Irish restaurant is built in former stables and, if you sit outside in the tiny courtyard at night enjoying 'the craic,' you can feel like you have been transported back to a world of cobblestones and homemade entertainment- long before Stella Artois and 'restaurant music.' Molly's has it's own 'micro- brewery, and serves true Irish beer such as Belfast Blonde and Headless Dog.
The menu is small and perfectly formed and the venue is informal, quaint and perfect for a romantic dinner or get together with a small group of friends. All of the ingredients are locally grow and selected for their quality and this is evident in the mouthwatering courses on offer. My personal favourites include the Ham Hock Terrine with Homemade Piccalilly and the Sirloin Steak (which quite literally melts in your mouth) served with dauphinois potatos and sumptious chasseur sauce.
The staff at Molly's are knowledgeable and friendly and will be happy to recommend dishes and tell you about the specials of the day, which often include delights such as Lobster Thermodore.
Molly's is slightly more expensive than most restaurants in Belfast; a meal for 2 including starters and mains will cost around £46- but is worth every penny.
1 College Green Mews, Botanic Ave, tel.0044 28 9032 2600.