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Metro Chic

The new menu takes full advantage of the best of local produce including roast local Monkfish and Lough Erne rump of spring lamb, while adding interesting influences such as slow roast duck breast with pak choi and sweet and sour sauce or crispy salt and chili squid with wasabi mayo.In the spirit of inclusiveness, the Metro also offers a full vegetarian menu and an early bird menu available Monday – Friday 5.45pm – 7.15pm, Saturday 5.30pm – 6.45pm and Sunday 5.00pm – 9.00pm at a set price of two courses £16.95 or three for £19.50. Very attractive for pre-theatre dinner or the start of a great night in Belfast.Lunch is also well priced with one course from the reduced, but equally as interesting menu, available for £7.95.However, it was to be dinner for us.Although we chose to enter the restaurant from the lobby of the hotel, there is a separate entrance directly from the street which takes away from the hotel food expectation. Here the emphasis has been put on creating a warm, contemporary atmosphere with well-spaced, marble and wooden topped tables and light painted walls. The tables are set on two levels. Our rather coveted window table (well worth asking for) allowed us a view onto Botanic Avenue and the gathering after-work crowds enjoying a balmy late-spring evening in the city. But, regardless of the distractions, there is no question that the food is the star at the Metro.The evening a la carte menu offers a tempting selection of starters. So much so, that we toyed with the idea of simply making our way through them and passing on the main course! However, in the interests of providing Business First readers a full picture of the menu, we reverted to tradition and finally selected a lime and chili baked prawns with garlic bread and a chilled goat's cheese terrine with peppered strawberries. For our main selection we remained true to the local theme (we have to watch our carbon footprint, after all) and elected to try the free range breast of chicken from Fermanagh and the locally sourced ribeye of beef with homemade chips.Now here is where self-discipline comes into play. With the order placed and the wine poured – we had selected one of the half bottles at £10 which was enough to allow the passenger to enjoy a couple of glasses and the driver a small taste – our waiter delivered a plate of bread and tapinade that was irresistible. But be warned, the Metro's portions are not small, so go easy on these or you will be struggling before dessert. And none of us want that!

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Metro chic

Gavin Walker visits Metro on Belfast's Botanic Avenue

Three months is a long time in both economics – and in politics.

by Bro McFerran CBE, president of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce...read more

Because the Metro Brasserie has been awarded an AA Rosette and is recommended by the Good Food Guide, Bridgestone Guide and Cafes of Europe, we looked forward to this visit with anticipation. And with good reason.

Located in the Crescent Townhouse, one of Belfast's original boutique hotels, tucked away near Botanic gardens close to the University, and the city's nightlife, the chic, Metro Brasserie, is open for lunch but really comes into its own during the evening.

Service at the Metro, as with all of the other Wine Inns properties we have visited, is friendly and attentive without being overwhelming. Staff are always on-hand to answer any questions or fulfil a request, but are never intrusive, which makes for a relaxing experience.As for the food, it was beautfully presented, light on the sauces (which is good) and as good as the descriptions on the menu had promised. My lime and chili baked prawns were pleasantly sharp without losing the flavour of the prawns, while Margaret's goat's cheese was soft and sweet, beautifully complemented with Antrim honey and vanilla. Allowing time for those light flavours to be fully appreciated, we anticipated the fuller textures of our main selections. And weren't to be disappointed.Whether you take on-board everything celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall claims about organically grown food or not, there is something very special about the taste of free range chicken and Margaret's chicken breast from Fermanagh was tender, plump and full of flavour. And served as it was with a light truffle jus and roast garlic mash, it was all the more interesting. Meanwhile my equally as locally sourced ribeye of beef fell apart with the slightest encouragement from my knife and fork, and melted beautifully with the subtle thyme and black pepper cream. Add to that a family-sized portion of homemade chips, and I was a very happy diner.And yes we were all but beaten come to dessert selection. However, we managed to share a wonderfully soft and decadent sticky toffee pudding accompanied by strong, aromatic coffee for the complete Metro experience.With the perfect mix of great food, attentive service and a warm atmosphere, the Metro has achieved the balance for which every restaurant strives and gets the Business First thumbs up as a recommended restaurant.For more information about the Crescent Townhouse Hotel and Metro Brasserie.

www.crescenttownhouse.com

The official magazine of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce

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