UPDATE
16TH JULY, 2011
I VENTURED INTO THE NEWLY-OPENED SILVER LEAF 20 MINUTES AGO. THERE WERE FOUR WOMEN BEHIND THE COUNTER. I ASKED FOR A COD AND A SMALL PORTION OF CHIPS: THEY DON'T SELL SMALL PORTIONS OF CHIPS, SO I ORDERED A COD AND CHIPS.
I LEFT A LOT OF THE CHIPS FOR THE BIRDS, BECAUSE THERE WERE TOO MANY FOR ME.
IT COST £6.30 WHICH WOULD, I THINK, BE A BIT DEARER THAN JOHN DORY'S, THEIR NEAREST COMPETITOR.
I WAITED ABOUT EIGHT MINUTES. SERVICE WAS COURTEOUS; I WAS TOLD THAT THE FISH WOULD BE READY SHORTLY; ASKED IF I'D LIKE TARTARE SAUCE AND LEMON.
THE COD WAS SERVED IN A LARGE CARDBOARD BOX (NEEDLESS!).
IT WAS REASONABLY HOT. I HAVE TO SAY THAT I ENJOYED IT: THE COD WAS THICK, WHITE, MOIST AND FLAKY. THE CHIPS, HOWEVER, WERE PALE AND RATHER SOGGY - NOT COOKED PROPERLY, IN MY BOOK.
DESPITE THIS SHORT-COMING, THE CHIPS DID HAVE FLAVOUR.
WOULD I GO BACK? POSSIBLY, THOUGH DORY'S SELLS SMALL PORTIONS OF CHIPS (LESS WASTE) AND SEEMS TO BE BETTER VALUE. I'LL PROBABLY GO TO DORY'S THE NEXT TIME.
CONCLUSION: SILVER LEAF TONIGHT WAS NO BETTER, ON THE WHOLE, THAN THEIR ESTABLISHED COMPETITOR.
Another chip shop has opened with the Exempt Jurisdiction of the Earldom, at number 301, Holywood Road, Belfast, viz. The Silver Leaf.
Have any readers tried it yet? Is it fair value? What are the standards? Feedback would be appreciated.
I've lost count of the numerous takeaways which have "made a go of it" on these premises, the most recent being one amusingly named For Cod & Ulster.
In the sixties and seventies one John McCollum, pharmacist (whom I remember), traded here.
It's as simple as this: They need to have consistently good standards which are as good as or, preferably exceed, John Dory's chip shop further along the road.
They'll get a fair wind. If they are better than the competition, they should flourish and prosper.
16 comments :
Anonymous John Self said...
I suppose the reason why chip shops keep opening there is because the set-up costs are minimal: premises already fitted out and no doubt generous rent breaks are available in these recession-hit times.
I must admit that despite the plethora of such businesses on our doorstep, we still favour The Fryar Tuck at Bloomfield Roundabout, particularly for their chips. It has been run by the same man (his brother was also a partner in the business formerly) since I was a child, which must have something to do with the ongoing high standards, when so many food business start off well and then decline.
31 May 2011 12:35
I think so, too. Best of luck to them; and I'd certainly use them if they are better than the rivals.
How to you rate the Bethany?(there's one on the Belmont road)i never hear you mention them although they have been around for ever.
We got a very disappointing take out from the Flash in the Pan in Ballymoney and Tiger had to wait 25minutes for it.
The only reason some chip shops do well is because peeps can't be assed to cook any more. Or don't know how to!
I have great respect for the few who have high standard and stay true to them.
There is nothing quite like a good fish supper.
We are in for a treat on Saturday night Tim. Millside in Cloughmills gives one a great feed and the gals are so kind and willing to change the menu to options to suit the hungry. I can't wait.
MMx
Sounds wonderful, MM. :-)
Irishlad, I don't know what TB thinks of it, but I don't rate the Belmont Bethany. We've only used it a couple of times and both were disappointing. I once asked for a hot dog, and after the assistant had worked out what I meant (I don't think they get asked for them very often) she produced one in a roll which - I exaggerate only slightly - was so hard you could have hammered nails in with it. The other time we went there, the chips were cold.
One thing does amuse me about the Bethany. They have one or two small tables directly outside the door for people to eat at (though I've never seen them used). There is, or was, a sign on the window saying, "If you are eating at these tables, please place your order at the counter." I love this because of the implication that otherwise, people might sit down and wait for a menu and table service...
Folks, I never rated the Belmont Bethany hugely. I've had a few fish suppers there; insufficiently good to change patronage! Merely my own view.
I'll buy cod & chips from the new Silver Leaf, whenever it opens.
The cod must be cooked to perfection, white and flaky; thick; batter golden and not overdone. Chips must not be too greasy, home-made naturally, using a decent and appropriate variety of spud.
I do not ask for much!
I only really go into the Bethany on the Newtownards Road and up until recently all they ever sold in the way of fish was whiting,now there's nothing to beat whiting if it's fresh but i'm at a lost to know how they make it their main seller as it's almost impossible to get due to restrictive quotas.
I think For Cod and Ulster is an unbeatable name...but not everyone would see the point. Or agree, even if they did.
My dear old mum thinks it's blasphemous.
After moving to the earldom around 6 years ago, the Silver Leaf was the place to eat, homely atmosphere and great food. It then changed hands at least twice and slowly deteriorated.
The less said about the Belmont Bethany the better! Avoid.
John Dorys is indeed the flag bearer for the area but i hope to see the Silver Leaf re-claim its crown.
I might take a spin to Fryar Tucks :)
I continually hear good reports of Fryar Tuck, so they must be doing the business for their patrons!
I'd like to get feedback re Silver Leaf Holywood Rd, though.
In response to your query about anyone having used the new Silver Leaf on the Holywood Road I am writing about my experience. Having been a regular user of the original Silver Leaf on the Belmont Road, I decided to try the new outlet above as I live in Sydenham, close to the station. I had used this outlet when it had been Cod & Ulster last year and my experience had not been good - it was a quiet Saturday lunch time with two women serving. The service was very slow, the food when it came, cold. I visited the Silver Leaf the first week of its opening. Unfortunately as with the visit to the Cod & Ulster, it was not a good experience. I had quite a wait on the premises for the food (not that I mind waiting for food whilst it is cooked. Indeed, I would prefer to wait to ensure hot, fresh food). There was one person ahead of me in the queue. Serving were two women who I seemed to recognise from my last visit. Approximately 15-20 minutes later I got my food: one chip, one fish and two sausages. I then proceeded to drive the 2 minute journey home. However, despite the very short journey home, the chips were cold, not tepid, but cold. The fish was ok but not tasty and the sausages appeared to have been reheated a number of times. All in all, poor quality food, served cold. I compared this to my visit six days earlier to the Bethany on the Newtownards Road. A longer journey, yes, but somehow the chips, one fish and two sausages were served hot, tasty and not giving the impression of being reheated a number of times. Which one would I choose to visit again? Yip, the further away Bethany. But would appreciate if someone could tell me if this is the same family as the original Silver Leaf on the Belmont Road or someone cashing in on the name and reputation?
Regards,
Inv Wood
The Silver Leaf, Belmont Road, has changed hands a number of times since the 1960s.
The original owner lived on Castlehill Road, I think.
The next owners were a charming couple who lived on Circular Road.
I stopped using the Silver Leaf thereafter (though tried it one under subsequent owners).
At time of writing (14/12/11) the Silver Leaf Holywood Rd is closed due to a technical or other problem.
Tim
When first i mentioned the Bethany i was referring to the N'ards Rd branch not the Belmont Rd estasblishment (same family).This in my opinion is the best all round chippie in the N,ards Rd/Belmont area;good quality fare,freshly cooked,extremly good value plus a sit-in if required.The Silver Leaf to me seems to be over-priced,one could sit -in at the Bethany for £6.30. Btw i'm not a stakeholder in the business. :)
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