£3m Refurb of Malone Lodge will see Belfast’s Newest Restaurant and 250-Seater Banqueting Suite

The last portion of the refurbishment will require the main hotel to close for two-and-a-half months in January whilst keeping the remaining properties operational. During this time a new function suite for 250 guests will be created alongside new kitchen facilities, new bars and a re-designed lobby.

This change will see the opening of a striking new, stand-alone, 90-seater restaurant. This new facility was a very conscious addition to the hotel, adding to their exceptional reputation for food where the team, headed by chef Dean Butler, have won numerous awards, including twice Northern Ireland Head chef of the Year. This exciting new restaurant, whilst used by guests of the hotel, will be very much aimed at the local public, with a private entrance directly from Eglantine Avenue.

Whilst the name and concept for the restaurant is a closely guarded secret at present, Managing Director, Gareth Macklin commented that it something exceptional and a first for the hotel. “We’ve undertaken extensive market research both locally, nationally and internationally with numerous site visits by the team, to top eateries throughout Ireland and further afield.”

“The hotel had also undertaken recruitment and hired members of the team for several key positions within the hotel. However we aim to add to this recruitment process in the early year, with the need for new members, to add to our existing team. This is a really exciting time for us all and we are delighted that we’ve received such positive response from everyone involved.”

This development which has undertaken extensive planing – was deliberately designed to move Malone Lodge onto the next level. “I believe a perception exists by some who’ve never visited us, that what we have is this little family-owned, city centre hotel, but that’s not true, it’s a misperception and it’s something our new development should certainly eliminate. When this work is complete, we will be offering extensive facilities which will be first rate and we believe that it will set us up as a key player in the marketplace here in Belfast.”

For further info, please contact (028) 9038 8000 or www.malonelodgehotelbelfast.com

Excellent Offers from

Pascal Brissaud at

Watermill Restaurant with rooms, Kilmore Quay Club.

Early bird menu available from £19.95 per person.

Midweek Bed & Breakfast Special: (available Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday)

1 night B&B plus 1 evening meal at £49.50 per person sharing.

2 nights B&B plus 1 evening meal at £75.00 per person sharing.

New years eve deal 1 night B&B plus 6 course meal at £99 per person sharing.

Christmas day lunch (6 course meal) with overnight stay at £99 per person sharing.

This month sees The Brewer’s House Donaghmore launch their new Autumn Menu. At this time of year, hearty dishes take centre stage – and we have plenty to tempt you…. From rich, flavorsome starters like our chorizo, pumpkin & curly kale risotto with white truffle oil and parmesan tuile to generously tasty mains in our Seared Loin of Venison ‘pink’, confit wild mushroom, cranberries in sweet syrup, chocolate sauce & Brussel Sprouts……….this is what Autumn eating is all about. You’ll also find some superb new desserts.

 
The Brewer’s House in Donaghmore was named Best Gastropub in Ulster 2012 at the Irish Restaurant Awards and are delighted to announce that Brian McMonagle has taken up position as Head Chef. His food philosophy is simplicity; well-balanced food items with simple flavors. He has worked with some of the best chefs in Ireland, he was the Head Chef of O’Gradys on the Pier, in Barna Village in Galway, where he won many Awards including Best Restaurant in Galway, Best Restaurant in Connaught & Best Seafood Experience in Ireland 2011 by the Restaurants Association of Ireland. Brian has also been a recipe contributor to several books including “Tide to Table” by top restaurant guide Georgina Campbell.
The Brewer’s House is open 5 days a week, Wednesday – Sunday from 12noon each day. We offer an Express Lunch menu Wed -Sat 12-4pm, an Early Bird Menu Wed – Friday 5-7pm and an extensive A La Carte Menu, which is supported by an ever-changing daily specials board featuring fresh fish and game. The Brewer’s House also offers and a full Sunday Lunch with a selection of roasts and all the trimmings!

Phone 028 8776 1932 for reservations.

The Brewer’s House menus can all be viewed at www.thebrewershouse.com and you can keep up to date with all the news and events from The Brewer’s House on facebook and twitter (@thebrewershouse)

Bóthar Northern Ireland, with the support of top Irish chef Neven Maguire is asking local people across County Fermanagh to create their own Come Dine with Me experience by hosting a dinner party.

‘Dinner 4 Bóthar,’ which was recently launched with the support of the Co Cavan award winning chef, is calling on as many people as possible to join Neven along with Q101.2 DJ Bryan Gallagher in hosting their own dinner party with friends and family.

Using recipe ideas created by Neven, each dinner party host will ask their guests to provide a monetary donation on the evening and these funds will support Bóthar’s aim to help create sustainable living for local communities in the developing world.

Commenting on his support for the evening, chef Neven Maguire, said: “As a patron of Bóthar and after visiting their Uganda projects last year, I would urge as many people as possible to join me by getting involved and organising their own ‘Dinner 4 Bóthar’ evening. The charity needs your help to make a real difference to the lives of people living in poverty to provide them with the tools they need to help themselves.”

Bóthar NI representative Aoibheann Fearon added: “‘Dinner 4 Bóthar’ is not only a fun way to get together with family and friends but it also helps us to provide vital funds to support our work in the developing world with families that are reliant on our help and support.

“We hope that you’ll join us across Co Fermanagh by creating your own ‘Dinner 4 Bóthar’ experience!”

Anyone interested in finding out more about hosting a ‘Dinner 4 Bóthar’ can emailinformation@bothar.co.uk or free phone 0800 039 0267 to request an information pack and entry form.

Picture shows: Aoibheann Fearon from Bóthar Northern Ireland with Drivetime Q101.2 DJ Bryan Gallagher is calling for all consumers across Co Fermanagh to take part in ‘Dinner 4 Bóthar’ and create their own Come Dine with Me experience by hosting a dinner party. Using recipe ideas created by top Irish chef Neven Maguire, each dinner party host will ask their guests to provide a monetary donation on the evening and these funds will support Bóthar’s aim to help create sustainable living for local communities in the developing world.

TOP PUBS CROWNED AT PUB OF THE YEAR AWARDS

The search to find Northern Ireland’s top pubs came to a dramatic conclusion this week, as the finest pubs from across Northern Ireland gathered at Belfast City Hall to toast the trade at Pubs of Ulster’s Pub of the Year Awards 2012.

The Pub of the Year Awards celebrate the excellence that exists in our local pub trade by presenting top awards to the winning pubs in a range of categories, including the coveted Northern Ireland Pub of the Year Award which was presented by Mark Stewart, chair of Pubs of Ulster, to Pier 36 in Donaghadee.

As well as taking the top Pub of the Year title, Pier 36 was also named Best Tourism/ Visitor Pub 2012.  Celebrating the award win, Lewis Waterworth from Pier 36, said:

“We are honored and delighted to bring the prestigious Pub of the Year 2012 and Best Tourism/ Visitor Pub titles to Donaghadee.

“We have invested a lot in the bar over the last number of years, especially in staff training and our overall customer service, as our biggest priority is always ensuring that our customers have the best experience when they visit us. I would like to thank all of our great staff, as if it wasn’t for their hard work and dedication, Pier 36 wouldn’t be the bar that it is today.  To receive recognition at the Pub of the Year Awards is a great incentive for us, especially in these tough economic times, to continue to develop Pier 36. Whilst encouraging us, I also hope the awards help ignite the industry and inspire all pubs to dig in and show the world how great the local trade is.”

The Pub of the Year Awards is the culmination of an extensive search for the best pubs in a range of categories across Northern Ireland.  Finalists were selected following an extensive judging process and were judged, depending on their category, by written submissions, interviews or by independent mystery shoppers.  An independent judging panel comprising of Martin Breen, editor of the Sunday Life; Gary McDonald, business editor of the Irish News; Adrienne McGill, business editor of the News Letter; Paul Connolly, managing editor of the Belfast Telegraph and Louise Murphy, editor of Hospitality Review then decided on the overall winners.

The Pub of the Year winners in each category are:

•Northern Ireland Pub of the Year:   Pier 36, Donaghadee

•Best Neighbourhood Pub:  The Front Page Bar, Ballymena

•Best Food Pub: Bureau by the Lough, Whiteabbey

•Best Family Friendly Pub: Curran’s Bar & Seafood Restaurant, Downpatrick

•Best New or Improved Pub:  Devlin’s Bar, Armagh

•Most Innovative Pub:  McHugh’s, Belfast

•Best Tourism/ Visitor Pub: Pier 36, Donaghadee

•Bar Hero:Willie Gregg, The Harbour Bar, Portrush

•Sunday Life Readers’ Choice Award:Head O’ The Road, Tartaraghan

This year’s ceremony also saw the Pub of the Year Awards first posthumous honour, as the late Joey Dunlop was celebrated for his contribution to the local licensed trade with Pubs of Ulster’s Chairman’s Award.  The special award, presented by BBC sports correspondent Stephen Watson to members of Joey’s family, recognises the role Joey played in establishing one of Northern Ireland’s most famous pubs, Joey’s Bar.  The award also honours Joey’s tireless charitable efforts, which often saw him make regular trips to Romania to deliver aid to orphans.  In 1996 his humanitarian work in Romania was officially recognised when he was awarded an OBE; an honour he stated was his proudest award.  Whilst its famous landlord is no longer pulling pints, Joey’s Bar in Ballymoney is still devotedly run by the Dunlop family and continues to play a vital role in the local community as well as serving as a Mecca for visiting motorcycle pilgrims.

Commenting on the awards, Mark Stewart, chairman of Pubs of Ulster, said:

“This year’s Pub of the Year Awards have once again highlighted the quality that exists in the local pub trade right across Northern Ireland.  We have world class pubs right on our doorstep and the awards allow us to recognise this by rewarding the excellence that exists in the industry.

I would like to thank all the pubs who entered this year’s awards and congratulate all the winners, especially Pier 36, for showcasing the very best that the local pub trade has to offer.”

During the awards chair, Mark Stewart also called upon all of our elected representatives to show their support for the licensed trade.  Whilst Northern Ireland has a modern industry, facing modern challenges, it does so under the restraints of outdated legislation.  Pubs of Ulster is therefore continuing its call for modernisation of current licensing laws, ensuring pubs remain a major economic asset to Northern Ireland and the livelihoods of thousands of people employed throughout the industry are safeguarded.

As the only competition to focus solely on the pub trade, this year’s awards were sponsored by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Britvic, Coca-Cola, Diageo, Dillon Bass, Heineken Northern Ireland, Molson Coors, Richmond Marketing, Tennent’s NI and Drinks Inc.  The awards are also supported by the Sunday Life, Hospitality review and U105.

The Pub of the Year Awards were hosted by top local comedians Grimes and McKee and guests celebrated their success in style at the exclusive Pub of the Year Awards after party at the Merchant Hotel.

For full details of the winners of the Pub of the Year Awards 2012 please visit www.nipuboftheyear.com

2012 Pub of The Year and Taste of Ulster Members, Pier 36

Best Food Pub of the Year and Taste of Ulster Member, Damien and Dana from Bureau by The Lough

Best Tourism / Visitor Pub and Taste of Ulster Member, Pier 36

Asda Spooky Snowballs to be huge Halloween hit for Howell House!

Asda are readying themselves for a frightfully good Halloween as their ‘Chosen By You’ brand launches new product “Spooky Snowballs” into 350 stores across the UK. The delicious treat, made by Howell House, a division of Northern Irish company Irwin’s Bakery, is a special Halloween version of the local bakery’s massively popular “Snowy Joeys.”

David Quigg, local Buyer for Asda NI said, “Only products which have been tried and tasted by consumers get chosen to become part of Asda’s ‘Chosen By you’ range and our new Spooky Snowballs are going to be a massive Halloween hit all across the UK – just as our Snowy Joeys and Jammy Joeys have proven to be.”

Chris Moore, National Account Manager for Irwin’s said, “We’re delighted that the quality of our snowball range has been recognised again. We’re hoping to sell up to 100,000 packs of our delicious Spooky Snowballs in the run up to Halloween and Bonfire Night. Priced at just £1 per pack they’re perfect for munching on beside the bonfire or while watching the fireworks!”