Howard St. is one of the growing number of restaurants that have opened in the last year in and around the Grand Opera House and Great Victoria Street area – I’m sure this area has a “Quarter” name as is the want of every section of Belfast, but if there is I’m not familiar with it. From the outside it is quite unassuming and it actually takes me a minute to locate the door – but once I walk through the odd vestibule and am inside, I am pleasantly surprised. Exposed brick and dark wood furnishings are the order of the day and quite rightly so as they give the place that re-claimed feel that’s inviting and functional at the same time.
We were seated near the back in a well lit area and were tended to very well by our 2 servers. They were both knowledgeable about their specials and the food in general, which is hard to find these days. For example, I was enquiring about the steak as I had the pre-theatre menu (we were as it happened on our way to the theatre, so it seemed rude not to) which was £15.95 for 2 courses with a £5 supplement if you wanted steak. I wanted steak, so I paid it. I had a goat’s cheese fritter for starter that was delicious, the cheese was lemony and light as was the breadcrumbs coating it, the tapenade accompanying it was just that – a great accompaniment. Next came the steak, locally sourced and cooked to perfection (as was promised) a wonderful meaty seared outer gave way to a pink but warm centre. It was topped with some kind of buttery sauce and the onion rings made of whole onion and crispy chips made for one of the best steak meals I’ve had in a long while.
Throughout the meal the water bottle on the table was replaced numerous times – without asking – the staff were attentive without being pushy and it definitely seemed like there were more than the 3 servers in the restaurant with the speed with which they were getting about. I finished off my meal with a coffee, which was of the Bailies brand, a brand I’ve seen popping up in a few places and a blend that I really like. The coffee came out quick and the presentation was great, a wee milk urn used for the milk being a nice touch.
All in all I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Howard St. and am more than looking forward to returning. I hope they cling on to their staff as they seem to have some great servers and for a lot of places that are charging a bit more during these times of recession, this can be make or break when it comes to the overall experience. Howard St. I’ll be seeing you again!
