Teddys

Although a little off the beaten track, Teddy’s has been a hit with locals and visitors since it opened in Bangor in 2010. It’s on the corner of Castle street and looks inviting, with a smart, freshly painted black and white facade and picnic benches outside for fine weather.

A large premises, comprising of a pub and wine bar as well as the contemporary restaurant, it’s designed to offer something for everyone, depending on the time and occasion.

Next to the main bar, the comfortable dining room is fashionable, bright and spacious and this, coupled with friendly and efficient staff, makes a pleasing setting for the good food which is to come. Tables are trendily bare, but white linen napkins set the tone in the evening and stylish white crockery never fails to please.

Menus offered include an all day à la carte with lunchtime specials, a 2-course set meal (2/3 course on Sunday – and ‘one free child per adult’ offer in both cases), several imaginative vegetarian choices and, perhaps, a special seasonal menu.

The range of dishes offered is appealing and not too extensive, but what really impresses is the obvious commitment to provenance – free range chicken and Portavogie seafood is promising, but when you notice Pheasants' Hill free range pork on a menu it’s a sure sign that there’s someone who cares in the kitchen.

And a quick look at the Food & Preparation area of the website is even more revealing, including Why Buy Local? and details of suppliers. Full marks.

And the well-planned menus are well executed too, in accurately cooked and stylishly presented dishes that really hit the mark.

Examples might include a tasty and well balanced creamy chowder of local seafood, served with delicious homemade bread – attractively presented in a stoneware bowl set on a wooden platter, and reasonably priced, it could be among the dishes offered as either a starter or main dish.

Fish cooking is very good – a beautifully cooked dish of fried hake with pea risotto and crispy leeks, for example, is colourful and tasty, with a generous portion of hake and well made risotto.

Desserts include a range of homemade ice cream and sorbets (eggnog ice cream served with Christmas pudding is a nice seasonal idea), and tempting variations on old favourites such as strawberry and pistachio nut Pavlova.

Service may be a little slow but smartly turned out staff are friendly and relaxed.

Listed wines are by James Nicholson of Crossgar (£13 to £40 range); 10 wines by the glass are offered, and drinks maybe ordered from a dispense bar in the restaurant reception area.

Prices are fairly pitched and set menus (which may include a glass of wine) offer very good value.