When I received an email last week inviting me and a guest to sample Chris Bell’s Great British Olympian Menu at the River Room Restaurant in the Galgorm Resort I didn’t have to be asked twice!
If there is food involved we are there! And not being accustomed to posh nosh we there was some trepidation in the air on the way to Ballymena.
However, we were greeted so warmly by the staff and Chris himself who went to great lengths to put us at our ease we soon relaxed to begin our olympic, gastronomic journey. Having watched most of the GBM NI heats on tv I was familiar with some of the menu, but not all of it – and to say it was a treat is a gross understatement. You can read the menu for yourself below which was full of lots of wonderful flavours I had certainly never had the pleasure of tasting before!
Our compliments to the Chef for an outstanding menu which cannot fail to please the most discerning diner (never mind the couple from Upperlands who looked as if they had broken in!) But don’t take my word for it. Go along to the River Room yourself and make your own mind up. Now snails in the fish course may not be to everyone’s taste but that’s OK – Chris generously offered to be flexible with that particular course – so if scallops are your thing then that’s not a problem.
We were asked what our favourite dish was… …so hard to decide but I really loved the rabbit tea….. and the better half of me? Well having the sweetest tooth known to man he really enjoyed the dessert of Jasmine, Apricots and Pistachio!
Just a word of praise also to the staff on hand – all of whom were excellent.
You can read more about the restaurant at www.galgorm.com, find them on facebook at www.facebook.com/galgorm or follow chris on twitter at www.twitter.com/chrisbell77 – who always has the good grace to reply.
Many thanks again to Chris and the Galgorm for their faultless hospitality. Recently awarded Best Hotel Restaurant for their region of Antrim in the All Ireland Irish Restaurant Awards 2012 – we would like to take this opportunity to wish Chris and the River Room every success in the All Ireland Finals on the 14th May at the Burlington Hotel Dublin.
Chris Bell will be serving his menu from BBC 2’s The Great British Menu at Galgorm Resort & Spa’s River Room Restaurant until June 3rd. For reservations, contact The River Room on 02825 881001.
