New Menu Launch - Summer/Autumn 2013

Lighter, fresher and filled with seasonal favourites!

Filini Restaurant Belfast launches it's new Summer/Autumn menu this month, introducing a lighter and more seasonal menu to suit the coming summer months. Executive chef Nigel Mannion has worked carefully with his team to create a fresh and locally sourced menu to cater for all occasions, whatever your mood. Filini aims to indulge your desires whether it be for melt in the mouth authentic Italian pizza, crispy pan-fried sea bass or savoury risottos, to name but a few.

Seasonal items such as asparagus, fgs and fennel feature, alongside locally sourced squid, cuttlefsh and lamb rump; not forgetting regular favourites such as the succulent beef fillet.

Be Healthy

It's summer – that time of year when healthy eating comes to the forefront of many minds. Whether you're getting ready for a holiday or becoming more ft in general, Filini offers a range of healthy options to keep you on track and not ruin your good work.

Char-grilled asparagus with poached egg & Pantelleria capers will give you that energy boost you need, or try the tasty wholemeal spaghetti with tomatoes and ricotta cheese for a low fat, fbrous and flling meal.

Treat Yourself

Belfast weather can be erratic at best and sometimes we still need to satisfy ourselves with favourful dishes to warm those cooler summer evenings. Filini still features a wide range of authentic Italian pizzas, such as the Quattro Formaggi pizza, with it's four authentic Italian cheese toppings and the special Filini pizza, with tomato, mozzarella, pecorino, prosciutto and rocket.

New savoury additions include Veal Saltimbocca, veal topped with prosciutto and sage, and grilled fsh with 'Caponata,' an Italian-style ratatouille, but with capers and olives in place of tomato.

Al Fresco Dining

All sunny afternoons and evenings will now feature a special Al Fresco dining area on the Filini terrace, overlooking the tranquil waters of The Gasworks green space.This type of dining is ideal for warm summer nights with a chilled bottle of Pinot and fresh antipasti.

Filini Italian Cocktail Launch

Filini have launched a range of refreshing Italian cocktails made with traditional Italian spirits and liqueurs in order to further enhance your Italian experience.

New Wine List

Filini has worked hard to update their wine list to perfectly compliment the fresh new offerings with modern Italian favourites including Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and Valpolicella wines.

May Bank Holiday and Beyond - KIDS EAT FREE

Filini Restaurant/ Gasworks Bar & Cafe - firm favourites for family dining!

This May Bank Holiday and beyond, take time with the family to enjoy an exclusive offer where kids aged 12 and under eat free when accompanied by a paying adult.

There is no need to worry about city centre parking when the Radisson Blu Belfast offers complimentary car parking to all customers dining in our Filini Restaurant/ Gasworks Bar & Cafe.

Visit Radisson Blu Belfast to enjoy lunch or dinner, where welcoming staff and a unique “Yes I Can!” spirit of service will ensure a Bank Holiday treat at the hotel’s renowned restaurant, Filini Restaurant.

With a variety of dishes on the menu, Filini Restaurant/ Gasworks Bar

& Cafe can cater to any taste. 

Dishes include everything from Beef fillet with roasted potatoes, bacon and sliced parmesan cheese to Margherita pizza. Also on offer for the kiddies are various pastas with a variety of sumptuous sauces, mini roast dinners, fish fingers & chips etc. To book and for information on booking terms and conditions, call +44 (0)28 9043 4065 or email f.b.belfast@radissonblu.com.

Jan Hanak, General Manager at Radisson Blu Belfast, said: “We are aiming to take the strain this second May Bank Holiday weekend, freeing busy parents from kitchen duties and enabling them to spend more time with the kids. The kids eat free offer should also take some strain off the purse strings.

Whether it’s a quick lunch as part of a busy day visiting friends or family, or a long dinner to celebrate an extra day off work, it’s a chance for families to take time out and let someone else do the washing up.”

Radisson Blu Belfast is situated at: 3 Cromac Place in the Gasworks Business Park at the bottom of the Ormeau Road in Belfast.

What a Difference a Month Makes

Over the last few years we've definitely noticed a change in Northern Ireland weather. No longer can we define the seasons as spring, summer, autumn and winter. Instead the weather is erratic and unpredictable. 

Here's proof of how the weather is changing all the time in Belfast. Look at the comparison between a photo taken of outside Filini in March and then another taken a couple of days ago in April. 

Hopefully the lovely weather will stay with us for a while and us Northern Ireland folk can enjoy some much needed vitamin D :)

Belfast Film Festival 2013

The 13th annual festival takes place this week in Belfast. We're always partial to doing something that we might not normally get up to and this is a great opportunity to sack the usual 10 pints in the local this weekend and instead intoxicate yourself with a bit of culture and hopefully a few decent flicks. 

The festival features a range of film, showcasing the newest and best in local and international talent including; short film programmes, a documentary film competition, classic retrospectives, workshops and special events attracting some of the biggest names in European and international cinema.

For more info and full listings visit http://www.belfastfilmfestival.org/

Belfast 400 Quiz

In 2013 we are marking the 400th anniversary of the 1613 charter which granted Belfast town status.

The charter was signed by James I on 27 April 1613 and marks the beginning of civic governance in Belfast. It established the first Belfast Corporation, the forerunner to today’s council structure, and led to the appointment of the city’s first sovereign, the precursor of the modern day Lord Mayor.

The granting of the charter is part of Belfast’s story which extends both before and after 1613 and was a step on the journey to where Belfast is today.

Together with a number of other Belfast-based organisations, we’ll be marking this significant anniversary with a number of events and initiatives throughout 2013. 

Radisson Bl...White?

 

Northern Ireland celebrates 3 years without death from Testicular Cancer

“The ‘Belfast Strut’ is an event to launch the ‘Zero Campaign’. 
Over a 10-year period Northern Ireland has had zero deaths from Testicular Cancer for 3 of those years. 
 These statistics are unique to Northern Ireland. 

 The ‘Zero Campaign’ is a campaign to celebrate and showcase NI’s remarkable achievements of Zero Deaths to the rest of the world and to inspire them to achieve what Northern Ireland have in their own countries. We are looking for 100 people to become a Mr. Testicles for a day. A 10 mile walk from Nutts Corner to Belfast’s Waterfront Hall dressed as Giant testicles.”

Congratulations men of Northern Ireland. Keep being brave and getting checked!

Oh and it just so happened we were in town earlier to catch the celebration in action…hehe

Waste Not, Want Not (but may want later)

Filini Restaurant is participating in Belfast City Councils Bring-Home-Box initiative. 

About one-third of waste from Belfast’s food businesses comes from food that customers leave on their plates.

With a Bring-home-box, you’ll be cutting down on waste going to landfill, saving yourself money and reducing overall food waste costs.

So the next time you’re out for a meal, ask your server for a Bring-home-box.

The Bring-home-box can be composted, simply recycle it in your brown bin or green food waste bin.

Oh Snow!

Tomorrow is St Patrick’s Day and this is what Belfast is offering us. Let’s hope the sun comes out for tomorrow! On the plus side, it reminds us that we can see the mountains all the way from Belfast’s busy city centre!

Girls Aloud in Belfast

Great night last night in the Odyssey Arena, Belfast at Girls Aloud! The atmosphere was electric and all the girls performed live! We couldn’t believe we were able to sing along to every song! Thanks girls!