Georgina Campbell
Less
Carrickfergus's loss has proved to be Ballyhackamore's gain since Neil Johnston re-located his lovely neighbourhood restaurant, Luna, in 2025 - back to where it all started, at his former East Belfast restaurant Graze. The all-day opening that was a feature in Carrickfergus has gone and it's a different, more focused, offering, but Head Chef Matt Cole is still very much in situ and many of the best things about the previous Luna are to be found in this lovely new restaurant - including an exceptionally customer-friendly pricing structure, interesting menus (how often do you see rabbit or goat on mainstream menus?) and some of the flagship dishes that regulars will always seek out.
The setting is very pleasant - simple and unfussy, with comfortably cushioned modern chairs, just the right amount of space between tables and subtle lighting that works well at lunch or in the evening - when there's a hint of background music too, along with linen napkins and twinkling tea lights showing off polished cutlery and sparkling glassware. The atmosphere is enjoyably relaxed from the get-go, which is largely thanks to the warmly welcoming and sociable denim-clad staff - all round a winning formula before you even read the menu.
Luna is always busy, at lunch and dinner, and it's not hard to see why. The lunch package is not only well priced but thoughtfully constructed to suit everything from a quick bite (with a one-course option available) to a leisurely get-together, with four choices on each course and some extras. Snacks (including Carlingford oysters and maybe some warm focaccia bread) and Specials (such as an 8oz Hangar Steak with traditional trimmings) extend the offering very neatly and the quality of everything is excellent, however simple. A really good burger with skin-on fries can be memorable, for example, but don't miss the the Braised Goat Bourguinon if it's on, as that's not something you'll come across every day. Lovely puddings too - who could resist old school favourites like the Creamed rice with whiskey stewed damsons... Sunday lunch (Sunday Social, including great roasts) is worth a special trip and the Kids Menu includes a mini roast for Sundays, which is a thoughtful touch.
Come evening time - or late afternoon in fact - and another reason why this place is always busy comes into play, with the arrival of the Pre-Theatre Menu (Wed-Fri), which is cannily priced to match the lunch offering, then followed by the à la carte dinner menu which ups the ante with a wider (but not overlong) choice and some less usual dishes, such as starter Ballotine of Rabbit and mains like Mixed Seafood Casserole and (the only dish over £30) a Chateaubriand for sharing - 24oz Lisdergen rump fillet with all the trimmings (c.£85). Venison (nicely pink) may also be on in season, and there are imaginative vegetarian options throughout - who wouldn't love a Beetroot Carpaccio with goats cheese, blood orange, walnut & diill to start, for example, or a main of Wild Garlic Gnocchi with shaved Parmesan, cavolo nero and toasted pine nuts...
Restful non pushy service extends to the drinks and it's good to see local beers offered, such as Mac Saint Blond Beer from Derrygonnelly in Co Fermanagh, although it would be nice to see more provenance across the menus generally as the flavour tells the story and there's no doubting the quality of everything served here.
All round you can expect a really lovely experience in this new Luna, with its pleasing surroundings, welcoming staff and seasonal dishes tasting of freshness in every element.
The setting is very pleasant - simple and unfussy, with comfortably cushioned modern chairs, just the right amount of space between tables and subtle lighting that works well at lunch or in the evening - when there's a hint of background music too, along with linen napkins and twinkling tea lights showing off polished cutlery and sparkling glassware. The atmosphere is enjoyably relaxed from the get-go, which is largely thanks to the warmly welcoming and sociable denim-clad staff - all round a winning formula before you even read the menu.
Luna is always busy, at lunch and dinner, and it's not hard to see why. The lunch package is not only well priced but thoughtfully constructed to suit everything from a quick bite (with a one-course option available) to a leisurely get-together, with four choices on each course and some extras. Snacks (including Carlingford oysters and maybe some warm focaccia bread) and Specials (such as an 8oz Hangar Steak with traditional trimmings) extend the offering very neatly and the quality of everything is excellent, however simple. A really good burger with skin-on fries can be memorable, for example, but don't miss the the Braised Goat Bourguinon if it's on, as that's not something you'll come across every day. Lovely puddings too - who could resist old school favourites like the Creamed rice with whiskey stewed damsons... Sunday lunch (Sunday Social, including great roasts) is worth a special trip and the Kids Menu includes a mini roast for Sundays, which is a thoughtful touch.
Come evening time - or late afternoon in fact - and another reason why this place is always busy comes into play, with the arrival of the Pre-Theatre Menu (Wed-Fri), which is cannily priced to match the lunch offering, then followed by the à la carte dinner menu which ups the ante with a wider (but not overlong) choice and some less usual dishes, such as starter Ballotine of Rabbit and mains like Mixed Seafood Casserole and (the only dish over £30) a Chateaubriand for sharing - 24oz Lisdergen rump fillet with all the trimmings (c.£85). Venison (nicely pink) may also be on in season, and there are imaginative vegetarian options throughout - who wouldn't love a Beetroot Carpaccio with goats cheese, blood orange, walnut & diill to start, for example, or a main of Wild Garlic Gnocchi with shaved Parmesan, cavolo nero and toasted pine nuts...
Restful non pushy service extends to the drinks and it's good to see local beers offered, such as Mac Saint Blond Beer from Derrygonnelly in Co Fermanagh, although it would be nice to see more provenance across the menus generally as the flavour tells the story and there's no doubting the quality of everything served here.
All round you can expect a really lovely experience in this new Luna, with its pleasing surroundings, welcoming staff and seasonal dishes tasting of freshness in every element.
