Living It With Lisa

Our first dinner was at DEANES Restaurant, Michael Deanes flagship site and the only restaurant to receive a Michelin 1 Star rating in Belfast.

Michelin stars are awarded to restaurants offering the finest cooking, regardless of cuisine style.  Stars represent only what is on the plate.  They do not take into consideration interior decoration, service quality or table settings.

As our custom, when a restaurant offers a tasting menu paired with wine, we usually select it.  DEANES was no exception.  It is a great way to taste smaller portions of cuisine and wine.

Not only did we enjoy the tasting we discovered 2 cheeses from Ireland and witnessed love in bloom at the table next to us. More on that later.

We particularly loved the first pairing of Chilled gazpacho with crab & avocado paired with Sancerre Domaine Andre Dezat.

Now as we were waiting on our meat course we notice a gentleman 2 tables over being presented with the cheese selections for his Cheese Course.  Well we instantly decided that we would indulge after our meal was complete.

The meat tasting was Tapenade poached Lough Erne lamb & confit lamb belly, Pissaladière & artichoke barigoule and was a little disappointing I that for all the flavors on the plate there really wasn’t a “star”.  It was all beautifully cooked, just blaze’ in taste.

The next tasting course was Strawberry & watermelon soup, basil ice-cream which was quite delightful combinations of flavor and texture.  It was a nice palate cleanser for the chocolate dessert.

Valrhona chocolate & caramel tart, pistachio ice-cream & Amarena cherries was amazing in flavor and textures and paired with Fischer Trockenbeerenauslese sweet wine.  Excellent paring.

An now for the Cheese Course.  It was FABULOUS!  The two standouts were a smoked Knockanore from Waterford NI and Durrus from Lorck IE.  You will find those on one of my next Cheese Courses at home soon.

Our general consensus was that the kitchen had some issues with getting the food out in a timely manner.  Since this was on a Thursday night it wasn’t a full house.  Waiting 25 minutes between a few of the courses was a little weary.  Which since the Michelin Stars doesn’t have anything to do with service, that is something to be remembered.

Oh yes … I haven’t forgotten … Click to read about Love, One Table Over

Here we were enjoying our tasting menu at DEANES Restaurant in Belfast.  While soaking in the ambiance, a young couple was seated at the table next to us.  We had already made the decision to add a cheese course to our menu after glancing two tables over as a gentleman made his selections for his cheese course.  Who knew what we were about to witness one table over!

I noticed that this couple had been served two courses because of course I wanted to see what else came out of the kitchen!  Out of the corner of my eye I saw the young man get up and thought he was going to the restroom.  All of the sudden Vic is nodding his head in their direction and nodding ‘yes’ at the same time.  I glanced over and Thomas was on his knees in front of Leah’s chair asking her to marry him.  She was gasping and in shock, obviously not expecting a proposal.

By the time I gathered my wits about me, I grabbed my camera out of my purse.  Now cut to Mr. Toughguy … he is holding back  the tears and his face is red.  Yes, Vic is a big teddybear and was trying hard not to be emotional.

Thomas was about to get off up after placing a ring on Leah’s finger.  I told him to hold it, I needed to get a picture!  Phoey I should have checked the photo… he really was on his knee!  There was a round of applause from a few staff and diners.

At little more on the happy couple.  Leah Hawksford and Thomas Heavyside are from Liverpool England!  Kudos to Thomas for wisking Leah away to Belfast and totally surprising her with I might add was a fabulous ring that Leah kept looking at, as it sparkled in the lights only to be dimmed by the sparkle in Thomas eyes as he watched Leah with pure joy.

Lean and Thomas …May your life together sparkle a little more everyday.

I saw this in a store in Belfast and felt it appropriate to share in honor of you both…

Irish Wedding Blessing