I can count on one hand the number of times I've been to a restaurant in Béal Feirste in the past lotta years. I'm not impressed with all the 'finer eateries' and think most are overrated. Not only that most cost two fortunes.
Anyone who knows me know I'd eat most things put in front of me so long as it's well cooked. I can't stand snobs and especially food snobs and those who would never set foot in places in West Belfast but go to the leafy suburbs such as Lisburn Road and Ormeau Road. There's nothing wrong in going there coz I've been to one or two in the past twenty years but ...
Today I was invited to go for a bite to eat in Caulfields at the Top of The Rock and although it's a place I've only had a few pints in over the years I went in. The restaurant is upstairs and as soon as went in the staff couldn't be friendlier. We got a table and menus were given to us and right away my taste buds were going overboard. I got the obligatory pint and although hungry I had to remind myself that I'm an athlete so instead of going for a starter I got the main meal. Mine was chili chicken and garlic potatoes. The others got Caesar salad with chips and onion rings. As we waited more people came in and the staff were over talking and generally being very friendly.
When the food arrived at our table it smelled great and my first mouthful was better than I expected. I'd put chili and garlic on my cornflakes and the chicken and potatoes had just the right amount. My friends loved their grub too and all three of said we'd be back.
Anyone who knows me know I'd eat most things put in front of me so long as it's well cooked. I can't stand snobs and especially food snobs and those who would never set foot in places in West Belfast but go to the leafy suburbs such as Lisburn Road and Ormeau Road. There's nothing wrong in going there coz I've been to one or two in the past twenty years but ...
Today I was invited to go for a bite to eat in Caulfields at the Top of The Rock and although it's a place I've only had a few pints in over the years I went in. The restaurant is upstairs and as soon as went in the staff couldn't be friendlier. We got a table and menus were given to us and right away my taste buds were going overboard. I got the obligatory pint and although hungry I had to remind myself that I'm an athlete so instead of going for a starter I got the main meal. Mine was chili chicken and garlic potatoes. The others got Caesar salad with chips and onion rings. As we waited more people came in and the staff were over talking and generally being very friendly.
When the food arrived at our table it smelled great and my first mouthful was better than I expected. I'd put chili and garlic on my cornflakes and the chicken and potatoes had just the right amount. My friends loved their grub too and all three of said we'd be back.
I was getting spoilt so I didn't ask how much it cost but I'd hazard a guess it was a lot cheaper than those trendy places in the city centre where I'd probably come out looking a fish supper.
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| Padraic Mac Coitir is a former republican prisoner and current political activist. |
Sean Mallory writes
ReplyDeleteBest restaurant for me is the GreenHouse on Dawson Street in Dublin – 2 star Michelin – I came across the chef, Mickael Viljanen, when he ran the restaurant in Gregans Castle Hotel in the Burren before moving to Dublin.....that was a memorable night.....5 adults...the meal came to €1,700.....fuck’n Gardaí chased me for 3 miles across the Burren in pitch darkness...the fuckers, they're trained to hunt in the dark....I thought they would never give up!!!!
Enjoyed this piece - had never been in Caulfield's other than looking for somebody. Never had a pint in it that I can recall.
ReplyDeleteMallory, that is funny.