Marco Pierre White is to launch his first Northern Ireland restaurant in east Belfast’s four-star Park Avenue Hotel. The new Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill will open in October following an agreement with the chef’s restaurant company Black & White Hospitality.
Guests at the new eatery can expect a selection of timeless English and French classics, each delivered with Marco’s own unique flair. The menu typically includes many of the chef’s childhood favourites, such as French Onion Soup, Chicken Kiev or Sherry Trifle Wally Ladd, alongside a range of 28-day aged native breed steaks.
Timely boost
Mandy Patrick, managing director of the Park Avenue Hotel, says the new venue will provide a timely boost to the wider city economy:
“I am delighted that this project is now going ahead. It is a huge expression of confidence in Belfast as a place to do business. Attracting internationally acknowledged brands like Marco Pierre White means Belfast and the Park Avenue Hotel are directly linked into a global marketing network which drives the tourism and hospitality sector.”
Nick Taplin, CEO of Black & White Hospitality, said:
“With my team I have explored the potential for our first ever Northern Ireland restaurant for some time, but it was crucial that we found the right partner to bring it to life. The Park Avenue Hotel is an excellent fit as it offers us a great space in an ideal location and we hope the people of Belfast will enjoy what we are bringing to the city.”
Perfect fit
The Park Avenue Hotel has been in the same family since it opened in 1959. Mandy Patrick represents the third generation of the Stephens family. She says the match between the hotel restaurant and Marco Pierre White is a perfect fit:
“Our restaurant reputation was almost entirely based on the quality of the steaks so it makes perfect sense that an operation which has plenty of focus on meat should link in with us,” she says.
The hotel employs 70 full time and part time staff and the restaurant is expected to safeguard/create a further 12 jobs.
About Black & White Hospitality
Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill is owned by Black & White Hospitality, whose portfolio also includes Wheeler’s of St James’s and Marco’s New York Italian. All three restaurants boast menus of timeless classics with a twist, created by one of the UK’s greatest living chefs.
Guests can expect sumptuous, relaxed surroundings and a range of menu options that offer something for every palate and budget. Marco calls it “affordable glamour”; a consistently high quality dining experience that is also comfortable and entertaining.
Steakhouse Bar & Grill Belfast will be the company’s 21st restaurant and is its first in Northern Ireland.