UNITED KINGDOM
A sure bet The doors have opened at the Dog Track and they’re off and racing, with reviewers of Belfast’s new restaurant loving every bite from the menu’s plates (once they’ve managed to catch them). For the restaurant’s chef / proprietor Michael O’Connor and front of house manager / proprietor Michael Fletcher it’s somewhat of a ‘new dog, new tricks’ situation. Their first project, The Barking Dog, has built a strong reputation for quality fare in a relaxed setting. With Belfast diners having plenty of dining options their second venture had to capture attention and ensure repeat patronage from day one. The two Michaels delivered this at the Dog Track with both menu and methodology. The menu covers cuisines from traditional Irish through to Mediterranean and Asian inspired dishes, all served as small plate dining, with the emphasis on mixing and matching dishes and sharing. This approach provides the
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Connection ISSUE ONE | 2019
opportunity for diners to expand their culinary horizons. “We wanted to give customers the chance to try new food they may otherwise not have through worry they wouldn’t like it,” says Michael O’Connor. “The small plate medium allows people to experiment without the fear that they will ‘waste’ a main course if they don’t like it.” The methodology is also interesting, and that’s where the ‘track’ concept of the restaurant’s name comes in. The open plan kitchen is right in the thick of the action, the central island providing diners a 360-degree view of meals being prepared and cooked. From this kitchen cold tapas and desserts are sent out via the track, a transportation tool