New Restaurants In Belfast

Ross's auction-house had no sale this morning. I managed to park at Upper Arthur Street, being fortunate enough to nip into a space somebody was just vacating. I'm on the lookout for an ottoman and had intended to have a look at Ross's. Never mind, I ambled over to Marks & Spencer for some more euros and had a little walk around the gents' department.

Leaving the store by the Callender Street exit, Alden's new establishment caught my eye. It's called Alden's In The City and it's on the site of the former Skandia Restaurant (as a boy, going to a Skandia restaurant was a treat for me and I recall the ones in Howard Street and Bangor, County Down).

I look forward to having a snack at Alden's new restaurant. It's informal and breakfast, coffees and scones are all served from eight in the morning. The main menu looks good too, with prices ranging from £4.50 for soup to £9.95 or thereabouts for sirloin burger with fries and garlic mayonnaise. The pig sandwich is reminiscent of a meal with a similar name at the Hard Rock Café which I really relished! I definitely wish to get the old gnashers into that.

At the brand new House of Fraser department store, the oyster bar and restaurant interested me too: the oyster bar opens at midday and, perusing the menu, I liked the look of it. Obviously there were oysters; an abundance of similar seafood dishes like smoked salmon from Walter Ewing on Shankill Road, Belfast; prawn open sandwiches; seafood cocktails and more. A glass of chilled champers costs £6.50.

On the third floor they have their main restaurant and its menu is attractive too.

I have resolved to return and sample the fare in these restaurants in the summer or sooner.