Made In Belfast

After our birthday shopping expedition on Tuesday we had pre dinner drinks in the Apartment and then dinner at Made In Belfast. This is a relatively new restaurant to the NI scene, but already its gained quite a following.

We had quite an early sitting of 7pm and on arrival there were only a handful of other diners, throughout the evening though the place maxed out and we witnessed a number of people turned away, quite impressive for a cold rainy Tuesday night in Belfast.

The surroundings are really cute and quirky. No one seat is the same, nor the tables, nor the lights. Spray painted walls of life quotes and thoughts, rips of clashing wallpapers and coloured cushions. Its a real kitschy, shabby chic, urban mash-up and it works.

There were 3 waiting staff on, all of which were very personable and helpful. They were knowledgable in regards to the menu and drinks on offer and were happy enough to make suggestions, always a good thing with someone as indecisive as me

Matt had the mussels to start, massive portion, so of course I helped him eat them , I had the squid, both were really nice, well cooked, nicely presented.

As you can see we cleared up on both!!

For mains Matt had the duck & I had a gorgeous steak with the most delicious chips served in a mug

Dessert for Matt was a fruit crumble, and I had the Bailey’s Cheesecake which was lush, not too heavy, just right.

All in all the actual food and service was really very very good, the only downside we felt was “other people”, we had a table of 18 beside us. It stretched over 3 tables to the side of us and behind, think L shaped. They were noisey, and my pet hate of all, mostly smokers (I’m a reformed smoker, the worst kind).

Now don’t get me wrong I understand its your choice to smoke and I understand before or at the end of a meal a cigarette can be perfect, however these people were up and down like yo-yos, before starter, after starter, after mains, before dessert. Inevitably they all came back in REEKING of smoke. Made In Belfast isn’t a large restaurant and therefore we were RIGHT next to them.

Tbh I think the fault for that lies with the management of Made In Belfast. There should be a table size limit, not just because of the smoking issue but also noise levels. I’m all for fun and laughter but there is a limit that this group broke through a number of times.
We would definitely go again, at some point, would we rush back? I think thats unlikely.

xoxox

Tagged as: Birthday, Made In Belfast, northern ireland, Restaurant