Family-run John Dory’s said it had now increased its workforce to around 80 people after opening a new ‘chippy’ in Ballyhackamore, east Belfast.

All of its senior staff are trained and promoted through its in-house training programme, which includes NVQ levels two and three.

Director Mark Polley said: “The staff are our greatest asset. We are very fortunate to have a high calibre of staff within our six branches.

“These are very challenging times so our aim is to provide a high standard of product, good customer service and value for money.”  The new John Dorys is situated in part of the large BP /Spar garage on the Newtownards road in Ballyhackamore

Pizza Hut is of course a well established favourite of Pizza lovers everywhere!  So probably no better place to open one than in Ballyhackamore -  the eating out location of east Belfast.

This Pizza hut is of course a delivery only establishment. Its not sit in, but does a burgeoning delivery trade to the local east Belfast community.

Situated in one of the new units that are part of the old Northern Bank, it is an ideal location for popping inmto for a quick take way Pizza, or phone through for your delivery

 The food is exceptional with a cross between bistro dining and pub grub offering fresh, local food cooked to order- no reheated burgers here!! Despite The Lonely Poet’s upmarket appearance both inside and out it offers a warm friendly atmosphere and is decidedly down to earth- most of the customers (and it was busy at the time) seem to be on a first name basis with the staff.

The Poet also offers live music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night as well as a pub quiz on a Thursday.  This combined with their fantastic food offer- any two courses from their bistro menu with a drink for £14 as well as kids eat free Monday to Thursday is sure to cement their position as the venue of choice for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks!

“Great food, great atmosphere, great night!”

“One of the best evenings I have had in a long time”

“Good Food, Good Staff”

All taken from Tripadvisor.co.uk“Great craic with amazing food”

The Lonely Poet, Kings Square, Kings Road, BT5 7EA

www.lonelypoetbelfast.com

02890 401248

It offer a great variety of Italian food, from bruschettas and salads, through to bigger dishes such as Salmon and pork main meals.   It also provides a selection of ‘smaller plates’ for those with a  more ‘pickish’ nature.  It’s also licensed, with a good range of beers and even cocktails, so something for everyone

Il Pirata  certainly looks as if it will be a firm favourite with the local foodies. Opening nights saw almost a full house, savouring its buzzing ambience.  There are no bookings, so its a matter of just turning up .

If you have been recently, why not leave a comment or review below for others to read.

The New KFC drive though opened this week in Ballyhackamore.  Local residents had been vocal in their objections to the new store but the Plannings Appeal Committee earlier this year overturned a previous decision by the Department of Environment Planning Service to refuse planning permission.

Michael Herbert, owner of Herbal Restaurants tried to allay residents’ fears.

“This is a new generation store and we’ve tried to blend the building into the local area,” he said. “We’ve used noise abatement and other special equipment which deals with odours and have erected the building in record time with the help of McLaughlin and Harvey.”

Carrickfergus-based McCue Fit-Out helped furnish the store, and said it has worked with Herbal Restaurants for over 30 years.

“Our partnership began in 1981 with one of Herbel Restaurants’ first outlets in Dunmurry and both firms have excelled together since,” Les McCracken, Managing Director of McCue Fit-Out said.

“In any industry, 30 years is a long time to sustain a business relationship and this is one worth celebrating.”

Work is underway on the new KFC drive-through which will be opening in Ballyhackamore, opposite Belmont Church Road.  What’s the general feeling about this new drive-through?   Any resdients like to share their thoughts?

I am a customer with the Northern bank At Knock. The one thing that really hacks me off about this branch is the number of times you go in and find 1 or 2 staff manning the counter when it is painfully obvious how long the queue is! . Often there will be a queue of 7 or 8 people, standing shifting from foot to foot, as the ditherlingly slow and understaffed Northern bank  cashiers serve.

Its infuriating, standing there waiting for sometimes up to 15 minutes to get ‘served’. Meanwhile you will see other staff float about, and you feel like screaming - ”Are you stupid?  Can you not see you need at least one more person on the counter?!”

 What kind of an bumbling idiot is the manager, if he can’t take a quick glance over and send another staff member to the counter to help out. It’s terrible service and it almost tempts me to leave the Northern Bank, if I got the time to do it.

Just wondered how many other local customers get totally hacked off at the incompetent service you get at Knock Northern Bank.

Submitted by Matty, a site visitor

The recent decision not to allow a Kentucky Fried Chicken drive though to be built in Ballyhackmore, opposite the Belmont church road, has now been controversially overturned. 

The decision to allow the KFC drive-through takeaway in a residential area could mean fast food outlets being allowed next to homes and schools anywhere in Northern Ireland, an MP has warned.

The drive-through plan was knocked back by the DOE — but the Planning Appeals Commission has now controversially overturned the decision.  East Belfast MP Naomi Long warned that the overturning of the decision to refuse permission for the drive-through restaurant on the Upper Newtownards Road would result in a “completely inappropriate” development next to a school in a residential area — and could have implications for the rest of Northern Ireland.

The development was also opposed by Belfast City Council’s Town Planning Committee.

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Jasmine is Ballyhackamore’s sole Indian restaurant. Open around two years now, it offers another flavour in the local dining scene. Although quite a small restaurant, its decor is warm and inviting and provides a nice ambience for its customers.   The menu is typical Indian fare, cooked nicely and attractively presented. One advantahge is that it is ‘bring your own’, meaning that you can save by bringing your own alcoholic drinks. An off licence is conveniently situated next door for this purpose.  

Jasmine also offer a take away delievery service, offering Indian takeways to the local community.

aldens ballyhackamore

Aldens is a smart upmarket restaurant, established over 10 years now in Ballyhackamore. It has enjoyed a position at the forefront of the Belfast fine dining scene since 1998.

The restaurant is a 10 minute drive from the city centre, and is at the junction of the Sandown Road and the Upper Newtownards Road. Parking is available in the nearby Sandown Road public car park, or there are limited spaces across the road.

For over a decade the restaurant has kept its high standards and provides a warm welcome to both locals and outside visitors alike. The elegant contemporary bar / reception area is ideal to peruse the menu and sample a choice of olives with a pre-dinner drink. Comfortable seating and elegantly presented tables give the restaurant a cool, but classy, ambience.

The cooking is top rate and the menu offers very good value, especially the mid week and Sunday lunch set menus. Top class ingredients provide dishes such as the ‘Seared Foie Gras’ or ‘Carpaccio of Venison’ a touch of luxury.

Aldens use local produce  as much as possible with venison, beef and shellfish, sound favourites