A NEW hospitality experience offering dining with a difference will open its doors on Belfast’s Malone Road on Wednesday.
On arrival, guests will be provided with the ‘Blank List’, a carefully selected display of fine ingredients, and will only know what they are being served when dishes are revealed to them.
The new Blank Restaurant comes from the team behind Shed Bistro on the Ormeau Road, and will present a five course casual fine-dining experience curated using only local produce farmed and sourced on the island of Ireland.
The hope is that this commitment to local suppliers will help with the bounce back of some of those who were impacted by the pandemic and encourage a more sustainable culture and supportive way of consuming local food produce.
Bringing together some of the most experienced industry professionals, the Blank team will be headed up by New Zealand native Alex Daley as general manager. A trained sommelier, Alex has over 15 years’ experience across fine dining and is passionate about sustainability.
He will be joined by head chef Niall Duffy in the kitchen, who hails from Belfast but has experience working alongside Patrick Guilbaud, Gordon Ramsay and teams at The Ritz.
Niall has worked closely with chef and owner Jonny Taylor to design the culinary elements of the show, while Alex and co-owner Christina Taylor joined forces to create the wine pairings and hospitality experience.
Christina said: “We dreamt this idea up a number of years ago and have been planning, designing and finessing the concept ever since.
“It really has been a labour of love, so we hope every guest that crosses our door loves it as much as we do and has a really enjoyable experience with us. Come and try for yourself and let us know what you think.”
The Blank experience will change depending on availability of various produce, and the current 'Blank List’ includes produce from Draynes Farm in Lisburn, Scott’s Family Farm in County Down, Roaring Water Bay in Cork and Donegal Fisheries, as well as local spirits An Dúlamán Martime Gin and Mourne Dew Distillery’s Kilbroney Gin.
