Attached to the Crescent Townhouse Hotel just opposite The Empire Belfast, the Metro Kitchen is fairly unassuming, and being the restaurant section of a Best Western hotel, is very easy to overlook.
However, after being listed quite recently as one of Joris Minne’s ‘Top 5 Home Grown Restaurants’ (using local produce and home grown talent) I decided it was high time to taste its wares. The restaurant itself is tastefully decorated in a boutique fashion with dark furnishings against up-lighted walls. Beautiful and stylish pictures of Belfast adorn the walls, it’s semi-formal but makes no pretence of being above its station.
To start I had the pork rib with BBQ sauce. The ribs were of the large variety so there was only two of them, but as I was devouring them with my hands it became apparent that they were actually quite meaty, cooked well and the BBQ sauce was delicious -smokey and tangy. It worked well with the meat but didn’t overpower what was obviously a great cut.
For my main course I had the mixed grill – sausage, Rogers 8oz sirloin, pork belly, black pudding, poached egg, chips, onion rings, cabbage and bacon. A truly mighty feast but not too much as many a mixed grill can be. I started with the steak, cooked exactly as ordered and with a wonderful chargrilled taste to the well-seasoned outer. The black pudding was peppery and crispy on the outside, but not dry on the inside, the sausage very similar. The pork belly, what I could eat of it, was layered beautifully, crispy skin, melting fat and then succulent, tasty meat – cooking a piece of pork belly is an art and the guys in the kitchen seem to know that. The chips and onion rings were also very good, but paled in comparison to the meats I had been presented with, and as full as I was I could manage no more than a passing taste of each.
Somehow I managed a desert (although I did share it with my wife). I had a sumptuously gooey centred chocolate fondant and peanut butter ice cream. I would heartily recommend this, if you still have room, however be warned it takes ten minutes as it’s prepared from scratch. Finally a coffee, I’m not sure the brand but as someone who is heartily in favour of an after dinner coffee instead of an alcoholic alternative, I have to say it was very nice – robust without being offensive.
The staff were fantastically friendly and attentive. They explained the specials and offers in great detail, brought out the food hot and well-presented and just generally made for a pleasant experience. We had a Groupon, but 2 of our group didn’t, so they partook of the current deal of 2 courses and a glass of wine for £14.99, very reasonable indeed. The wine that we had, a merlot, was delicious as well it should be noted, as often on these offers you’re stuck with an awful glass of something that’s barely drinkable.
A delicious and great value night out, but not at the expense of great food and drink. Find the menus here.
