The Ginger Bistro

The Ginger Bistro Review

Chef-owner Simon McCance's modern Irish classics with an international twist attract foodies to this gem just off Great Victoria Street. A short but perfectly balanced menu emphasizes locally sourced seafood and lean meats. Fishy dinner highlights include fillet of hake or sea bass; pan-roasted breast of duck or the braised-then-roasted belly of pork with fennel are also highly recommended. The flavorsome fried squid far outsells anything else on the menu, however, and don't forget the parsnip chips to go with it. For lunchgoers in a hurry there is an excellent-value menu offering haddock and chips, fish pie, and rib-eye steak. The wines are outstanding, or try malt-flavored handcrafted Belfast ales or lagers from the Mourne Mountains. Chalked-up blackboards warn: "Can't have any pudding if you don't eat your greens." For those who do, the desserts include the delectable crème brûlée with raspberry compote, the soft-centered chocolate cake with berries, pears and cream with champagne jelly, and the unforgettable sticky-toffee pudding.