Any excuse!

There's a new restaurant on the Lisburn Road ... Hooples.  So, what else would you do on a pouring wet evening than go to celebrate a friend's birthday!  Now, if they need a good reference ... here it is!

We had a superb time, Bernard, the Front of House Manager, was most attentive ... and we gave him the freedom to choose our meal for us!

 The water pitcher is Spanish!
Prawn lollipops with a cooling dip started us off ... I like the dramatic presentation with the specially crafted slate that has little eyelets for the skewers.

 Then squid ... tender and fresh ...

 Beef bourguignon followed ... all of these dishes we shared.  They come one after the other in Spanish style (with little breaks) so that the whole experience extends over a long period of time and you have opportunity to enjoy each of the courses to the full.  The little plates are so attractive and don't take up huge space on the tables.

 The scallops and prawns on pak choi had a wonderful ginger and chilli dressing ... hot but not unpleasantly so.  Again, packed full of flavour and a delight to the eyes.  

 Desserts followed ... Panna cotta ...

 ... and white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake.   Both delicious.

 To complete the feast ... a double espresso!

I don't often do a blog that is simply an expanded menu of a good dinner ... but this evening was rather unusual.  The chefs are clearly artists and take great pride in the presentation of the food as well as in the cooking.  

Hooples is closed on Sundays ... this means that the staff can spend time with their families and attend church ... I like that attitude as well.  

We chose to sit in the window where we could watch the incessant rain ... it has certainly been one of those days with a great deal of localized flooding.  The cheesy grin isn't great ... but I do like the wet street with the lights outside!

I will hold the Christ-light for you

in the night-time of your fear;

I will hold my hand out to you,

speak the peace you long to hear.

Church Hymnal 517 verse 3

Richard Gillard (b 1953)