Well foodies, we are close to the weekend and I have found a new spot for you to try - La Taverna. Located in the upstairs of Fratellis Belfast La Taverna (which means "up the stairs" in Italian) offers a delightful range Venetian Small Plates, an incredible wine list and the most amazing terrace to dine on equipped with blankets and open fires to keep you toasty no matter what the weather is like.
60 Great Victoria St, Belfast BT2 7BB - 028 9031 0862 - fratellibelfast.com
Located in the ever popular Fratellis (check out their pizzas - wow) La Taverna is taking a different route to the traditional Italian Restaurant by offering small plates. Now small plates are something that are becoming more and more popular and they appeal to me a number of reasons;
1. You get to try lots of different dishes
2. They are perfect for sharing
3. Excellent price - even when you add a few sides
So myself and Lauren were invited down just under 3 weeks ago by LK Communications to try out La Taverna - we were met by the manageress who brought us to our table, the mood was lovely and the room was decorated with Italian Flag bunting - I don't think this is always the case, it was an Italian Holiday when I dined. What is always there though is the open fire, mood lighting, spiral staircase and amazing terrace - where you can wine and dine!
After ordering some red wine ( the wine list is extensive - I went for the manageresses recommendation ) I began to check out the menu - the menu provides the authentic Italian names for dishes with the English names in brackets - there's plenty on offer too - Piadinas, Stromboli or Cicchetti Al Forno are just some of the categories and each category has 3 options, for example, a stromboli is kind of like a stretched calzone and so there are 3 options here to choose from - now I loved this idea and the menu presentation but the management are tweaking slightly after feedback - I personally love it and felt it added to the authenticity of the place!
Best of all you can order 3 of these small plates ( they are quite big though) for £19 or two for £13 - we ordered the stromboli and the Calamari followed by the Saffron Risotto, Chicken, Chorizo, Red Pepper and Green Bean Padella - an italian twist of Spanish Paella - check out the pics below.
So the Padella was absolutely beautiful - however the menu suggests this as a meal for 2, i'd say its more suited to 4-6 people, especially if you order some small plates before hand! The Strombolli was absurdly good - I really liked this dish, prob my fav of the night and we also had the Calamari which came with a deligtful dip ( this was Laurie's fav)
This was a first but I ate soooo much that I couldn't manage a dessert - I did however get the rest of my Padella packed up and I most definitely had this for dinner the next night! Smart.
So if you are in the mood for some tasty Italian this weekend (food ladies) then get yourselves down to La Taverna - go on an empty stomach and definitely sit on the terrace - especially if this good weather keeps up! Happy Thursday people - we are nearly there.
Conor
BONUS PICS - the pizzas here are pretty awesome and although technically a Fratelli's dish you can order them when at La Taverna. Begin to Drool
