Where to eat in Belfast, Northern Ireland: Food writer Trish Deseine

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This was published 7 years ago

Where to eat in Belfast, Northern Ireland: Food writer Trish Deseine

By Julietta Jameson
Food writer, broadcaster and cookbook author Trish Deseine.

Food writer, broadcaster and cookbook author Trish Deseine.

Northern Ireland-born food writer, broadcaster and cookbook author Trish Deseine's books have won many awards and been translated into many languages. Having lived in France and run her own bakery there, she has headed her own cooking shows in the UK, written sweet recipes for French ELLE, among many others, and in 2009 was named as one of French Vogue's 40 Women of the Decade. Deseine's latest book is 100 Desserts To Die For (Murdoch Books, $39.99). See murdochbook.com.au

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE TABLE IN BELFAST?

It's Alain Kerloc'h and Stevie Toman's OX and OX Cave on Oxford Street in Belfast. Recently awarded a Michelin Star, Stevie's magnificent cooking of local, seasonal Irish produce at OX goes from strength to strength. Next door, the wine bar serves great cheese and charcuterie as alibis to a spectacular wine list chosen by Alain. I love the feel of both restaurants, designed by rising star architects Oscar and Oscar. I love also the more informal James St South, which reminds me of the neighbourhood bistros and brasseries I love in Paris – only with way better chips. See oxbelfast.com; jamesstreetsouth.co.uk

THE LOCAL FOOD DISCOVERY OF THE PAST YEAR?

There are two of them: North Coast Smokehouse's creator Ruairidh Morrison and Melanie Brown have spent the last few years perfecting their Smoke-Roasted Organic Salmon. It is cured with a special blend of pure sea salts and raw sugars, before being smoked and roasted over beech wood. They use top quality local Glenarm Organic Salmon, fed on natural and organic ingredients from sustainable sources, free from GMOs.

Based at Limavady in county Derry, on a small family farm, Corndale Charcuterie was formed earlier in the year by Alastair Crown using his free-range herd of Saddleback pigs for his own chorizo recipe. The chorizo is already being used by several leading restaurants in Northern Ireland. See northcoastsmokehouse.com; corndalefarm.com

WHAT IS BELFAST'S BEST-KEPT FOOD SECRET?

Two great online food services for Belfast, Indie Fudie and BIA Rebel. See indiefude.com; biarebel.com

PLACE TO GO ON A DAY OFF?

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Only 1½ hours from Belfast, Rathlin Island via Ballycastle. Ballycastle is a charming, bustling market town with great small shops and lots of terrific traditional pubs with Irish music and good pub grub.

It is also the gateway to Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland's only inhabited island. Rathlin is a wild and stunning place and an important bird and wildlife sanctuary. In season there are almost hourly crossings on the fast ferry, taking only 20 minutes. Later this year will see the opening of the beautiful Manor House just at the ferry's edge as guest house and restaurant. See rathlincommunity.org; northcoastwalkingtours.com

FAVOURITE INDULGENCE IN BELFAST?

A night at peaceful, beautiful New Forge House in Moira. The welcome – and the breakfasts – are second to none. See newforgehouse.com

PLACE TO GO FOR A BIG NIGHT OUT?

Eipic, Belfast. I have been trying to get a reservation here for ages and hope it will be my next big night out as I am itching to try Dannii Barry's cooking. Especially as her restaurant was recently awarded a Michelin Star, making her the only woman chef in Ireland to hold the distinction. See deaneseipic.com

WHAT SHOULD A VISITOR AVOID, FOOD-WISE, IN BELFAST?

Like everywhere in Ireland and the UK, those very long, cheaply-priced pub grub menus with lots of international chicken dishes. You just know they come from a plastic boil-in-the-bag.

WHAT'S HOT IN THE AREA RIGHT NOW?

Markets and festivals springing up all over Northern Ireland, especially along the North Coast. The Naturally North Coast and Glens market at Ballycastle is full of primary producers and the atmosphere is buzzing. See naturallynorthcoastandglens.co.uk

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