Cayenne
Tonight was a bloody masterpiece. Belfast's only Michelin-rated restaurant, Cayenne, gave me the best meal I've had in, well, years. As I told the server, if I died tonight in the Belfast riots and this was my last meal, I'd be alright with that. He laughed and said it was a possibility, which made it all the more satisfying. I'd feel as though I got away with something. Yes, Death, you may come for me tonight. I've already eaten well, so suck it.
As an American, I had to be difficult to begin with. I ordered the cheeses to start, which is usually fine in a non-French-style American restaurant, but as is generally the case outside the states, the cheese is in the dessert section. So, in keeping with my general reputation as a fat bastard, I ordered dessert first. Technically. The cheese was magnificent, with a lovely brie, two other cheeses I couldn't remember the names of, a phenomenal cheddar, and a bleu that went down rather smooth. I was happy with the bleu and a little bit proud of it. I don't generally like bleu cheese, so the fact that I enjoyed this one makes me feel like the little cheese tried harder. Well done, cheese. The compilation was served with crackers and a delicious pear chutney that I only wish there had been more of. Not because the portion was insufficient, but because I liked it and again, I am a fat bastard. See photo below. Of the cheese, not my being fat.
After gobbling down the cheese, my main course arrived in perfect timing: the duck breast with apple, figs, berries and potatoes. I'd say it left me speechless, but those who know me know that it's rather difficult for me to shut up. This duck was flawless. Perfectly medium rare, I almost wept. But I kept my composure and soldiered on through the delightful meal. There is a stereotype out there that the nicer the restaurant, the smaller the portion size. I have been to some rather small-portioned restaurants in my day, but Cayenne is not among them. As you can see here, this was no mild-mannered fillet. This was a full main course, with presentation that made you think twice about disturbing it with a fork.
After the duck, I decided to return to the dessert menu. Being that Belfast is a free society, one may start and end with dessert if one wishes. However as a standing rule, it is permissible for the other patrons to point and laugh should you choose to. I chose the chocolate and raspberry plate, which included chocolate fondant, some white chocolate mousse, chocolate ice cream, raspberry jelly and dehydrated raspberries. I nearly died. Chocolate and raspberry is my favorite dessert combination, and Cayenne celebrated the union properly. You may now commence drooling over the picture below.
Though I have been to a couple restaurants in the last two weeks, they've been nothing special. And as this is the first post, I wanted it to start with a bang. After two weeks of eating Belfast's cheapest food, my funding finally came in and I decided that I had better have something worthwhile to mention to get this blog off the ground. So I hope you will follow the blog, as I hope to keep it regularly updated with new restaurants and the occasional odd recipe. Remember the Foodie anthem, to be fearless and try new things, and as always, remember that Foodies never die!
*UPDATE* It is worth mentioning also that the service was impeccable. The entire staff was friendly and probably the most competent people I've seen in the service industry in a very long time.