It's Thursday evening and that means a night out with my daughter. Usually we head straight to the Cinema but tonight hunger ruled, so it was out for something to eat.
Living in Lisburn we have our pick of places, but we decided on Beef & Bird this evening and man what a pick. Situated in the Lisburn Leisure Park, Beef & Bird is into its second year now. Owners Bronagh and Anton Campbell have experience in producing great food. This is their second venture in Lisburn after the urban steakhouse, Del Torro, found on Antrim Street.
We were welcomed by Jessica whose attentions and natural conversation made us feel that we were regulars has she settled us into our seats.
From the 'Chicken Coop' booths we had an excellent view of a busy kitchen and the rest of the restaurant. Beef & Bird has a contemporary retro feel but don't be mistaken, this is no American diner. The seating and booths make for a comfortable atmosphere whether you need the intimate dinning for couples or arrive with the family and need larger seating.
Jessica took our drinks order and then a gave us some time to look through the menu. There was plenty to choose from with a choice of steaks and chicken dishes, burgers and ribs, which all sounded so good. I know that these steak houses are filling every hole in the hedge this weather, but Beef & Bird also offer speciality dishes, fish and pasta dishes as well. They seem to have found a great balance of choice without losing the diner in a maze of menus.
We decided on a sharing platter as our main. The 'Magnificent Seven' - two sirloin steaks, BBQ or sriracha chicken wings (we asked for a mix of both, I know but one must), garlic bread, Beef & Bird ribs, onion rings and all with hand cut chips and a green pepper corn sauce both of which are refilled free of charge as you need and all this reasonably priced at £35.95.
It was a collection of heroic food each bringing its own amazing tastes to the event. Just like the movie it shares its name with, this is a classic and will go down as such with all who indulge.
We asked for our steaks to be medium-rare and I was delighted when I received exactly that. So many places ask but fail to deliver the steak as per request but then what do you expect from the people who brought us Del Torro.
Everything was beautiful, the sriracha chicken wings were tangy hot but not uncomfortably so and the green pepper corn sauce was so good it should be named as its own food group. The ribs melted in the mouth and the onion rings crunched just so.
There is the temptation just to pile up the food on these sharing platers but what alchemy was used to make these elements come together and blend beautifully leaving us satisfied and glad about our choice.
Jessica asked if we could handle dessert which of course we could. Again, a great selection, we ended up on hot Belgian waffles, caramel sauce with Draynes ice cream (a local supplier) and sticky toffee pudding again we shared which is amazing since I am not that fond of sticky toffee pudding. They were both lovely and finished off the meal in style.
Unrushed we left with tickets to return on the 16 March to see Andy Rodgers as Elvis which allows me a two-course meal with Bucks fizz on arrival and all for £25.00 per ticket.
Beef & Bird is a restaurant for all, families, couples, groups and individuals. There is a choice for all tastes even menus devoted to those watching the waistlines or with dietary requirements. They also have a great cinema promotion with a two-course meal and cinema tickets included Monday to Thursday for only £16.99 each. There are Tribute nights from eight to late and a cocktail bar for the night owls among us.
Beef & Bird sits in a prime position within a two-minute walk from the Lisburn Leisureplex the swimming complex, Lisburn Omniplex Cinema and the Lisburn Bowling Alley. So, it makes for a great base to begin the day with their breakfast menu then go swimming with the family or end the day with a meal and a film.
Their use of local produce and attention to their local community means that an evening out at this establishment will be an evening to remember. I heartily recommend Beef & Bird.
Paul McMath
Beef & Bird can be found at Lisburn Leisure Park and is open 9am to late, every day. Find them online at beefandbird.co.uk, @beefandbird on FB and @BeefandBird_ on Twitter.
