Friday, January 13, 2012

Belfast Restaurants,Belfast Hotels, Guest Houses, Bed and Breakfast, Bed and breakfast, antrim hotels, europa hotel belfast, queens university belfast

Belfast Hotels, Guest Houses, Bed and Breakfast, Bed and breakfast, antrim hotels, europa hotel belfast, queens university belfast


Accommodation in Ireland is at its very best in Belfast; a Holiday in Ireland would not be complete without a visit to historic Belfast. Travel Ireland and enjoy top Hotels in Ireland, Hotels in Ireland and Accommodation in Ireland offer you breaks in Ireland at unbelievable value. Guesthouses in Ireland and Guest Houses in Northern Ireland offer excellent Guest House luxury and value. Bed and Breakfasts in Belfast and Northern Ireland generally offer quality service, Bed and Breakfasts are maintained to the highest standards, bed and breakfast accommodation and B&Bs in Ireland are great value. Self-Catering Accommodation in Belfast and Northern Ireland can be an alternative to traditional Hotels and Guest Houses, Self-Catering Accommodation offers self-catering holiday cottages, apartments and a range of other alternatives.
Belfast is Buzzing right now. Over the past ten years Northern Ireland has become a haven for international globetrotters of life. One of the most cosmopolitan cities in Europe and Frommer’s Travel Guide listed Belfast as one of the Top 12 Destinations to Visit in 2009. Belfast is a short commute from some of Ireland’s greatest sea and landscapes, the world renowned Giant’s Causeway is but a short step from Belfast. The Titanic quarter is a must to see, what a unique history. For shopping, Belfast is the place to be, competitive prices and high street names to match any capital city in Europe. Eating out, having fun or just taking it real easy, Belfast has it all.
Enjoy Northern Ireland’s culture and history by visiting Queens University, Belfast City Hall, the Northern Ireland Assembly or the historic Linenhall Library.
For social living, Belfast has it all, restaurants, traditional pubs, nite clubs and venues such as the Odyssey Arena and Waterfront Hall where world class entertainment comes alive.
Whether you like traditional Irish music, live theatre or you just like to learn about the rich history of fine European cities, you will love all that there is to do in this beautiful Northern Irish city.
This Jury’s Inn is located next to Belfast’s City Hall and Opera House. It boasts spacious rooms with flat-screen TVs, a 24-hour reception and a restaurant serving modern cuisine.
On Great Victoria Street, beside the Grand Opera House, the luxury Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast offers boutique bedrooms with free Wi-Fi. There is a chic restaurant and modern cocktail bar.
Next to The Waterfront Hall convention centre, Hilton Belfast has a fitness room and a modern bar and restaurant. Overlooking the River Lagan, Belfast’s vibrant city centre is under a mile away.
With views over the Black Mountains, these luxurious apartments offer free secure parking and free Wi-Fi. The city centre, along with bus and rail stations, is close by.
In Belfast’s vibrant Gasworks district, the 4-star Radisson Blu Hotel Belfast features a stylish restaurant and cocktail bar. The spacious rooms offer free internet and air conditioning.
In the very centre of Belfast, this Ibis hotel offers modern rooms with satellite TV, 5 minutes’ walk away from Belfast’s nightlife and bars.
The stylish, friendly and popular Park Avenue Hotel in the Belmont area of Belfast is 10 minutes from the city centre and close to Belfast City Airport.
Ibis Belfast Queens Quarter hotel provides contemporary, good value rooms, near Belfast City Centre and Queens University. There is excellent access to local rail and bus links.
In the picturesque Lagan Valley Park, this 4-star hotel has a pool, a gym and free parking. Belfast city centre is a 10-minute drive away.
Located in Belfast’s city centre, this Premier Inn offers modern accommodation less than 5 minutes’ walk from Ulster Hall, a concert venue.
In the heart of Belfast’s city centre, this 4-star hotel is next to Great Victoria Street Railway Station. Guests can enjoy luxurious rooms and dining in the contemporary bistro.
In the city centre, Days Hotel Belfast has private parking and a restaurant. The city's bus and rail stations can be reached within 10 minutes' walk. There are 2 people looking at this hotel.
The award-winning Malone Lodge Hotel and Apartments is a boutique Victorian townhouse hotel.
In the centre of Belfast’s lively Queen's Quarter, this modern hotel offers stylish rooms with flat-screen TVs and free on-site parking. The restaurants of Botanic Avenue are close by.
In Belfast city centre, Holiday Inn Belfast has a stylish restaurant, a modern fitness centre and a beauty salon. The 4-star hotel is a 10-minute drive from Belfast City Airport.
In the heart of Belfast city centre, Park Inn by Radisson Belfast is close to the Golden Mile and the bars, restaurants, cafés and shops. Castle Court Shopping Centre is a 10-minute walk away.
Wellington Park Hotel is 5 minutes’ walk from both Queens University and the Ulster Museum. The hotel features a traditional restaurant, cosy bar and free Wi-Fi.
The Ramada Encore Belfast is located in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter and within 15 minutes' walk of The Odyssey Arena, Titanic Quarter and local bars and shops.
The Malone Lodge Apartments are located in Belfast’s University Quarter, a 5-minute walk from the Botanic Gardens.
In the heart of Belfast, this luxurious 4-star hotel offers free parking, free internet access, great food and stylish, contemporary, air-conditioned rooms with 37-inch (94 cm) LCD TVs and iPod.
Situated in Belfast City Centre, Travelodge Belfast is a 10-minute drive from George Best Belfast City Airport. With spacious rooms and a traditional restaurant, the hotel has a 24-hour front desk. There are 2 people looking at this hotel.
Balmoral Hotel, Belfast is situated 5 minutes’ drive from the city centre and situated at the junction of the M1 motorway. Free private parking is possible on site. There is 1 person looking at this hotel.
This refurbished 19th-century Victorian building is located in central Belfast. It offers comfortable bed and breakfast accommodation 4 miles from George Best Belfast City Airport.
Lansdowne Hotel is 3 miles (4.8 km) from Belfast city centre. It is at the foot of Cave Hill on the Antrim Road, with spectacular views over Belfast Lough.
All Seasons is a Victorian property offering bed and breakfast accommodation, a 10-minute drive from Belfast city centre. Parking and Wi-Fi are free and the reception is open 24/7.
This fine period property offers modern facilities in the leafy Queens' University Quarter. It is ideally located for the university, the Ulster Museum and Botanic Gardens.
A 15-minute walk from Belfast city centre and less than 5 miles from George Best City Airport, Springfield offers bed and breakfast accommodation with free Wi-Fi.
Set in an elegant 19th-century building, the Bienvenue Guesthouse is 10 minutes’ walk from Belfast’s Botanic Gardens and Windsor Park. It offers rooms with free Wi-Fi and free off-street parking.
Located in the bohemian Queen’s Quarter of Belfast, a mere 10-minute walk from the city centre, Tara Lodge offers 28 contemporary style bedrooms with warm and genuine hospitality.
In a quiet area of North Belfast, Orchid House Apartments offer stylish, serviced accommodation with free Wi-Fi. The apartments are just a 5-minute drive from the Fortwilliam Golf Club.
Overlooking the gardens of Stormont Castle, in the leafy suburbs of Belfast, this luxurious 4-star hotel has a fitness centre and a bistro restaurant. There is free parking and a 24-hour front desk.
Set in a suburban Victorian townhouse just 15 minutes’ walk from Belfast’s Lyric Theatre, the 4-star Avenue House has rooms with a 32-inch LCD TV and DVD player.
This 18th-century Victorian guest house offers bed and breakfast accommodation in the leafy suburbs of Belfast. It is 25 minutes’ walk from the city centre, and offers free Wi-Fi.
Just 10 minutes from Belfast’s vibrant city centre, The Beechlawn House Hotel offers large, colourful bedrooms with 24-hour room service.
This top-class bed and breakfast in Belfast has been recommended for a long time by famous travel guides.
Madison’s is a boutique-style hotel with an award-winning restaurant, cafe bar and nightclub. It is 300 metres from Belfast city centre and a short walk from The Waterfront Hall.
Situated in Windsor Park, these 5-star self-catering apartments have free Wi-Fi, on a peaceful tree-lined avenue in the university area of Belfast. Rail and bus links are within walking distance.
Windermere Guest House is a 19th-century Victorian bed and breakfast situated a 10-minute walk from Belfast town centre. It has free parking and free Wi-Fi.
Famous for its chef’s fantastic Ulster Breakfast, Maranatha sits on the busy Ravenhill Road, two miles from the city centre and a short drive from the George Best City airport.
Located in the Titanic Quarter of Belfast, this Premier Inn is located across from the Odyssey Arena and Pavilion. George Best City Airport and Belfast city centre are within 1.5 miles.
In the heart of the city, this beautifully converted Victorian warehouse is now a stylish and luxurious 4-star hotel, mixing period features with modern boutique style.
Greenmount Bed and Breakfast is situated alongside the M1, just 10 minutes' drive from central Belfast. It has free on-site private parking and free Wi-Fi throughout the building.
Premier Inn Belfast City Centre (Cathedral Quarter) is situated in the heart of the city centre.
The boutique-style Benedicts is on Belfast's vibrant Golden Mile and has a very popular music bar, a restaurant and excellent, stylish rooms.
Somerton House is 2 miles from Belfast Ferry Port and 3 miles from the city centre. It offers home-cooked breakfasts, free parking and rooms with flat-screen TVs and DVD players.
The 5-star Merchant Hotel is in the Cathedral Quarter of Belfast's city centre. It offers luxurious air-conditioned rooms, free Wi-Fi, a spa, and a rooftop gymnasium and hot tub.
This Victorian house offers bed and breakfast accommodation, 2 miles from Belfast city centre. It combines modern and traditional features, and has rooms decorated with art from around the world.
In the heart of the city centre, the Belfast City Apartment are just 1 minutes' walk from the bars and restaurants on Belfast's Golden Mile.
Ten Square is situated in Belfast city centre and features its own steakhouse restaurant and bar, which offers free evening entertainment.
In the heart of Belfast city centre, Belfast Self Catering Apartment is a 5-star apartment situated just 100 metres from the bars and restaurants of Belfast's Golden Mile.
Offering sleek décor, free Wi-Fi and free parking, the 3-star Belfast City Centre Apartment is also just steps from the vibrant Golden Mile.
Just 2 miles (3 km) from Belfast city centre, Ravenhill Guest House offers free parking, award-winning breakfasts and homely rooms with free Wi-Fi. Belfast Central Rail Station is 1.5 miles away.
Located in Belfast city centre, these stylish apartments are just 1 minutes’ walk from Dublin Road’s pubs, bars and restaurants.
Situated in Belfast city centre, this apartment is just a 2-minute walk from Dublin Road’s bars, clubs and restaurants. Free parking is possible and a computer is provided.
This modern, village-style residence is 800 metres from the university campus and a 15-minute walk from Belfast city centre. It has 24-hour reception and security, free internet and communal kitchens.


Belfast Hotels, Guest Houses, Bed and Breakfast, Bed and breakfast, antrim hotels, europa hotel belfast, queens university belfast


Accommodation in Ireland is at its very best in Belfast; a Holiday in Ireland would not be complete without a visit to historic Belfast. Travel Ireland and enjoy top Hotels in Ireland, Hotels in Ireland and Accommodation in Ireland offer you breaks in Ireland at unbelievable value. Guesthouses in Ireland and Guest Houses in Northern Ireland offer excellent Guest House luxury and value. Bed and Breakfasts in Belfast and Northern Ireland generally offer quality service, Bed and Breakfasts are maintained to the highest standards, bed and breakfast accommodation and B&Bs in Ireland are great value. Self-Catering Accommodation in Belfast and Northern Ireland can be an alternative to traditional Hotels and Guest Houses, Self-Catering Accommodation offers self-catering holiday cottages, apartments and a range of other alternatives.
Belfast is Buzzing right now. Over the past ten years Northern Ireland has become a haven for international globetrotters of life. One of the most cosmopolitan cities in Europe and Frommer’s Travel Guide listed Belfast as one of the Top 12 Destinations to Visit in 2009. Belfast is a short commute from some of Ireland’s greatest sea and landscapes, the world renowned Giant’s Causeway is but a short step from Belfast. The Titanic quarter is a must to see, what a unique history. For shopping, Belfast is the place to be, competitive prices and high street names to match any capital city in Europe. Eating out, having fun or just taking it real easy, Belfast has it all.
Enjoy Northern Ireland’s culture and history by visiting Queens University, Belfast City Hall, the Northern Ireland Assembly or the historic Linenhall Library.
For social living, Belfast has it all, restaurants, traditional pubs, nite clubs and venues such as the Odyssey Arena and Waterfront Hall where world class entertainment comes alive.
Whether you like traditional Irish music, live theatre or you just like to learn about the rich history of fine European cities, you will love all that there is to do in this beautiful Northern Irish city.
This Jury’s Inn is located next to Belfast’s City Hall and Opera House. It boasts spacious rooms with flat-screen TVs, a 24-hour reception and a restaurant serving modern cuisine.
On Great Victoria Street, beside the Grand Opera House, the luxury Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast offers boutique bedrooms with free Wi-Fi. There is a chic restaurant and modern cocktail bar.
Next to The Waterfront Hall convention centre, Hilton Belfast has a fitness room and a modern bar and restaurant. Overlooking the River Lagan, Belfast’s vibrant city centre is under a mile away.
With views over the Black Mountains, these luxurious apartments offer free secure parking and free Wi-Fi. The city centre, along with bus and rail stations, is close by.
In Belfast’s vibrant Gasworks district, the 4-star Radisson Blu Hotel Belfast features a stylish restaurant and cocktail bar. The spacious rooms offer free internet and air conditioning.
In the very centre of Belfast, this Ibis hotel offers modern rooms with satellite TV, 5 minutes’ walk away from Belfast’s nightlife and bars.
The stylish, friendly and popular Park Avenue Hotel in the Belmont area of Belfast is 10 minutes from the city centre and close to Belfast City Airport.
Ibis Belfast Queens Quarter hotel provides contemporary, good value rooms, near Belfast City Centre and Queens University. There is excellent access to local rail and bus links.
In the picturesque Lagan Valley Park, this 4-star hotel has a pool, a gym and free parking. Belfast city centre is a 10-minute drive away.
Located in Belfast’s city centre, this Premier Inn offers modern accommodation less than 5 minutes’ walk from Ulster Hall, a concert venue.
In the heart of Belfast’s city centre, this 4-star hotel is next to Great Victoria Street Railway Station. Guests can enjoy luxurious rooms and dining in the contemporary bistro.
In the city centre, Days Hotel Belfast has private parking and a restaurant. The city's bus and rail stations can be reached within 10 minutes' walk. There are 2 people looking at this hotel.
The award-winning Malone Lodge Hotel and Apartments is a boutique Victorian townhouse hotel.
In the centre of Belfast’s lively Queen's Quarter, this modern hotel offers stylish rooms with flat-screen TVs and free on-site parking. The restaurants of Botanic Avenue are close by.
In Belfast city centre, Holiday Inn Belfast has a stylish restaurant, a modern fitness centre and a beauty salon. The 4-star hotel is a 10-minute drive from Belfast City Airport.
In the heart of Belfast city centre, Park Inn by Radisson Belfast is close to the Golden Mile and the bars, restaurants, cafés and shops. Castle Court Shopping Centre is a 10-minute walk away.
Wellington Park Hotel is 5 minutes’ walk from both Queens University and the Ulster Museum. The hotel features a traditional restaurant, cosy bar and free Wi-Fi.
The Ramada Encore Belfast is located in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter and within 15 minutes' walk of The Odyssey Arena, Titanic Quarter and local bars and shops.
The Malone Lodge Apartments are located in Belfast’s University Quarter, a 5-minute walk from the Botanic Gardens.
In the heart of Belfast, this luxurious 4-star hotel offers free parking, free internet access, great food and stylish, contemporary, air-conditioned rooms with 37-inch (94 cm) LCD TVs and iPod.
Situated in Belfast City Centre, Travelodge Belfast is a 10-minute drive from George Best Belfast City Airport. With spacious rooms and a traditional restaurant, the hotel has a 24-hour front desk. There are 2 people looking at this hotel.
Balmoral Hotel, Belfast is situated 5 minutes’ drive from the city centre and situated at the junction of the M1 motorway. Free private parking is possible on site. There is 1 person looking at this hotel.
This refurbished 19th-century Victorian building is located in central Belfast. It offers comfortable bed and breakfast accommodation 4 miles from George Best Belfast City Airport.
Lansdowne Hotel is 3 miles (4.8 km) from Belfast city centre. It is at the foot of Cave Hill on the Antrim Road, with spectacular views over Belfast Lough.
All Seasons is a Victorian property offering bed and breakfast accommodation, a 10-minute drive from Belfast city centre. Parking and Wi-Fi are free and the reception is open 24/7.
This fine period property offers modern facilities in the leafy Queens' University Quarter. It is ideally located for the university, the Ulster Museum and Botanic Gardens.
A 15-minute walk from Belfast city centre and less than 5 miles from George Best City Airport, Springfield offers bed and breakfast accommodation with free Wi-Fi.
Set in an elegant 19th-century building, the Bienvenue Guesthouse is 10 minutes’ walk from Belfast’s Botanic Gardens and Windsor Park. It offers rooms with free Wi-Fi and free off-street parking.
Located in the bohemian Queen’s Quarter of Belfast, a mere 10-minute walk from the city centre, Tara Lodge offers 28 contemporary style bedrooms with warm and genuine hospitality.
In a quiet area of North Belfast, Orchid House Apartments offer stylish, serviced accommodation with free Wi-Fi. The apartments are just a 5-minute drive from the Fortwilliam Golf Club.
Overlooking the gardens of Stormont Castle, in the leafy suburbs of Belfast, this luxurious 4-star hotel has a fitness centre and a bistro restaurant. There is free parking and a 24-hour front desk.
Set in a suburban Victorian townhouse just 15 minutes’ walk from Belfast’s Lyric Theatre, the 4-star Avenue House has rooms with a 32-inch LCD TV and DVD player.
This 18th-century Victorian guest house offers bed and breakfast accommodation in the leafy suburbs of Belfast. It is 25 minutes’ walk from the city centre, and offers free Wi-Fi.
Just 10 minutes from Belfast’s vibrant city centre, The Beechlawn House Hotel offers large, colourful bedrooms with 24-hour room service.
This top-class bed and breakfast in Belfast has been recommended for a long time by famous travel guides.
Madison’s is a boutique-style hotel with an award-winning restaurant, cafe bar and nightclub. It is 300 metres from Belfast city centre and a short walk from The Waterfront Hall.
Situated in Windsor Park, these 5-star self-catering apartments have free Wi-Fi, on a peaceful tree-lined avenue in the university area of Belfast. Rail and bus links are within walking distance.
Windermere Guest House is a 19th-century Victorian bed and breakfast situated a 10-minute walk from Belfast town centre. It has free parking and free Wi-Fi.
Famous for its chef’s fantastic Ulster Breakfast, Maranatha sits on the busy Ravenhill Road, two miles from the city centre and a short drive from the George Best City airport.
Located in the Titanic Quarter of Belfast, this Premier Inn is located across from the Odyssey Arena and Pavilion. George Best City Airport and Belfast city centre are within 1.5 miles.
In the heart of the city, this beautifully converted Victorian warehouse is now a stylish and luxurious 4-star hotel, mixing period features with modern boutique style.
Greenmount Bed and Breakfast is situated alongside the M1, just 10 minutes' drive from central Belfast. It has free on-site private parking and free Wi-Fi throughout the building.
Premier Inn Belfast City Centre (Cathedral Quarter) is situated in the heart of the city centre.
The boutique-style Benedicts is on Belfast's vibrant Golden Mile and has a very popular music bar, a restaurant and excellent, stylish rooms.
Somerton House is 2 miles from Belfast Ferry Port and 3 miles from the city centre. It offers home-cooked breakfasts, free parking and rooms with flat-screen TVs and DVD players.
The 5-star Merchant Hotel is in the Cathedral Quarter of Belfast's city centre. It offers luxurious air-conditioned rooms, free Wi-Fi, a spa, and a rooftop gymnasium and hot tub.
This Victorian house offers bed and breakfast accommodation, 2 miles from Belfast city centre. It combines modern and traditional features, and has rooms decorated with art from around the world.
In the heart of the city centre, the Belfast City Apartment are just 1 minutes' walk from the bars and restaurants on Belfast's Golden Mile.
Ten Square is situated in Belfast city centre and features its own steakhouse restaurant and bar, which offers free evening entertainment.
In the heart of Belfast city centre, Belfast Self Catering Apartment is a 5-star apartment situated just 100 metres from the bars and restaurants of Belfast's Golden Mile.
Offering sleek décor, free Wi-Fi and free parking, the 3-star Belfast City Centre Apartment is also just steps from the vibrant Golden Mile.
Just 2 miles (3 km) from Belfast city centre, Ravenhill Guest House offers free parking, award-winning breakfasts and homely rooms with free Wi-Fi. Belfast Central Rail Station is 1.5 miles away.
Located in Belfast city centre, these stylish apartments are just 1 minutes’ walk from Dublin Road’s pubs, bars and restaurants.
Situated in Belfast city centre, this apartment is just a 2-minute walk from Dublin Road’s bars, clubs and restaurants. Free parking is possible and a computer is provided.
This modern, village-style residence is 800 metres from the university campus and a 15-minute walk from Belfast city centre. It has 24-hour reception and security, free internet and communal kitchens.

PAUL RANKIN is sitting in his restaurant, Cayenne, on Great Victoria Street in Belfast, discussing the dark days of the Troubles.

 In about 1990, he recalls, “we were having two big Italian wine dinners, back to back, with an Italian wine producer over, accompanied by the wine merchant James Nicholson. The first night went fantastically well, but then later on a huge bomb wrecked Shaftesbury Square.

“I remember walking into the restaurant through the front window rather than the front door. I could have cried; things had been going so well.

“So, what to do? Well, we cleaned up and we brushed up and we boarded the broken windows and we created this path to the door past two walls of broken glass, and we opened for the second wine dinner. ‘Oh my God,’ said the Italian as he came through the path, ‘this is the Belfast we see in the news.’

But we had a fantastic night, and it was absolutely the right thing to do.”

Rankin is conscious that, in his way, he had a role in helping Belfast escape if not the horror then the drudgery of the Troubles. “We were fed up being in this dark place, and we wanted to play our part in giving people a normal life,” he says.

He believes modern celebrity chefdom – a phenomenon he helped pioneer – was also a positive force in the island.

“All the food programmes and food journalism have been a good thing. Ireland always had great products, but, let’s face it, we were s*** cooks . . . Now we have world-class restaurants, cooking world-class products, and we are not an embarrassment to ourselves.

“Foodies are sometimes pretentious food-obsessed idiots, but then they catch themselves on and just like food. And that’s good.”

Now 52, Rankin still has the longish hair, beard and slightly hippyish demeanour, and is still fondly regarded by people in Northern Ireland.
When the bombs were still exploding and tourists were nonexistent in the North, he returned from Canada with his wife, Jeanne, to open the top-class Roscoff restaurant – the first in Northern Ireland to gain a Michelin star – since replaced on the site with Cayenne.

In the noughties he expanded the Rankin brand. He opened restaurants and cafes in Belfast, Dublin and Portadown, and at the height of his expansion he had 13 restaurants and employed 300 staff. By 2008 he had nothing left but Cayenne – and for a time that also was jeopardised.

Rankin says he could have “cut and run”, gone bankrupt, put out a “good PR story” to keep him in celebrity-chef work, and started another restaurant when the dust had settled.

But he tried to dispose in an orderly way of most of the cafes, saving numerous jobs in the process, and did a deal with the revenue and creditors, whereby over five years he will pay his remaining debt of £1 million to the tune of about 80 pence in the pound.

He says he wasn’t cut out for the big business projects and believes he should have stuck with what he did best – cooking and appearing on television. “I should have had the fecking common sense to see and realise that,” he says.

His name still appears on bread and sausages sold in shops. Sales are about £25 million annually, from which he gets a small cut. He is thinking about some “careful” expansion in this area.

He is three years into his repayments, and although it has sometimes been hard to meet his monthly commitments, he hasn’t missed a pay date, he says, and, with two years to go, “thank God I can see light at the end of the tunnel”.

There was also a brief run-in with hygiene inspectors when his kitchen scored one out of five, but this was an aberration, he says, and was quickly rectified – and his kitchen now scores four out of five.

Rankin says Cayenne’s “technique for fighting the recession is simply to get more value and to work harder like nearly every other owner-operated business in Ireland. You give more just to survive”.

After the ceasefires of the 1990s, and in the good times before the recession, Cayenne was popular with southern visitors and day trippers, but these customers have “all but disappeared”.

“I don’t understand why people can’t take one lunch off a month with their families or their great good friends and have one boozy lunch. Lunch is one of the great things to do with friends,” he says, making his pitch.

He reckons his prices are half of what you would pay for similar fare in Dublin. Certainly, the food is top-notch and the prices reasonable – this year a three-course lunch or pretheatre dinner at Cayenne costs £15.95 (€19.50); a later dinner costs £22.95 (€28). This would have starters such as Asian prawn chowder, crispy duck salad or pear and Roquefort salad; mains such as pheasant breast, seafood gratin and duck confit; and desserts such as autumn-fruit crumble, buttermilk pannacotta and homemade ice cream. Well worth a day to the “happening” city of Belfast, Rankin reckons.

The menus change regularly, but nearly always include salt-and-chilli squid, a signature dish for, it seems, decades.

“I am bored with that particular starter,” he says. But his regular customers won’t allow him to take it off the menu.

Rankin divides his time between Cayenne and his TV work. An eight-part series with his Scottish friend and fellow chef Nick Nairn comes out on UTV in the spring. Called Paul and Nick’s Big Food Trip, it features them cooking in Scotland and Northern Ireland to an Ulster-Scots theme – “Ulster fries and lamb and haggis Wellington”.

Rankin’s marriage of more than 25 years to Jeanne came to an “amicable” end earlier this year. “We are still friends,” he says. “I consider myself very fortunate to have had such a long and happy marriage and such a beautiful family with her.”

They have three children, Claire, who is 25 and studying French and working part-time in Canada; Emily, who is 22 and studying medicine in Newcastle; and Jamie, who is 14 and at school at Methodist College Belfast. “The girls are pretty good cooks, but there are no chefs in the family. They could all eat for Ireland.”
For Rankin, who brought fine dining to Belfast during the dark days of the Troubles, it has been an eventful year: up, down and up again and still dishing out good grub. “You just have to cope with the storms as best you can. I am quite proud of how we handled our storms.”

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