Sailing folk may remember this listed building as a ship’s chandlers and, although the maritime theme is now less pronounced than formerly (and it has lost its landmark blue frontage), there are still reminders of its history.
Since Alan and Sharon Foster took over several years ago, the interior has been refurbished and the ground floor now has a more contemporary feeling to match the more sophisticated private dining room upstairs - and, although seafood is still the star here, it is now a seafood restaurant and steakhouse.
There’s plenty to choose from - especially speciality fish and seafood dishes, of course (pan roast turbot & scallops, perhaps, with crab crushed new potatoes, buttered asparagus and hollandaise) and their certified Irish angus steaks, but also creative vegetarian options (chestnut mushroom, blue cheese & broccoli samosas, with tomato & basil chutney and basil oil, for example).
This Belfast restaurants earning a growing following for imaginative and well cooked food, and caring service - and, as it is close to the Waterfront Hall and Odyssey Area, it is a particularly good choice for a pre-theatre meal. An extensive and reasonably priced wine list includes half a dozen house wines.
Seats 45; L Wed-Fri, 12-2.30; D Tue-Sat, 5-9.30. Pre-theatre D Tue-Sat, about £20 (5-6.30). House wine from £14.95; sc discretionary; children welcome; toilets wheelchair accessible; reservations required. Parking in multi-storey carpark next door. Closed Mon, Tue L , Sat L , Sun L, July fortnight, 1 week Christmas. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Switch.
