Northern Ireland’s hospitality scene is set for a continental twist, as the Beannchor Group’s newest venues, The National Grande Café Bar and Patisserie Mimi prepare to open their doors this September.
Set in the historic surroundings of one of Belfast’s oldest buildings – the former National Bank Building on High Street – The National Grande Café Bar will offer a taste of the continent in the heart of the city’s vibrant Cathedral Quarter.
From morning until early evening, customers can relax in the lofty, contemporary space, enjoying its extensive breakfast, lunch and evening menus. Hearty and healthy breakfast and lunch options, served alongside speciality coffees expertly made by top baristas, are sure to make The National a popular choice with city centre workers.
On Sundays, brunch at The National will be a welcome boost to the local culinary scene, with a mammoth menu bursting with classics like eggs benedict and florentine, served alongside other delights including hot ‘Croque’ sandwiches.
The holy grail for publicans
Bill Wolsey, managing director of Beannchor, was recently quoted in the Belfast Telegraph: “What we are doing here is the holy grail for publicans, a building which you can open early and operate fully selling food throughout the day and morph into a complete night-time venue.”
The ‘Magners City Orchard’ beer garden
In an exciting partnership with Magners Irish Cider, The National will also be home to one of the largest dedicated beer gardens in Belfast, and the first in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter, with the launch of the ‘Magners City Orchard’ beer garden. Complete with its very own apple tree, direct from the Magners orchard in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, the novel space will bring a new dimension to al fresco socialising in the city.
Patisserie Mimi
Next door in the adjacent building on High Street, Patisserie Mimi will be the city’s first high-end artisan bakery. The new addition is set to renew Northern Ireland’s love of the traditional bakery with a modern, continental inspired offering. The patisserie will serve up an array of artisan breads, pastries, macaroons and gateaux.
Beannchor and Belfast
The National Grande Café Bar and Patisserie Mimi are the latest additions to the portfolio of over 50 venues owned by the Beannchor Group – Ireland’s largest hospitality group. Over £700,000 has been invested by Beannchor to bring the exciting new ventures to life.
Looking at the launch of the two new venues, Bill Wolsey, managing director of the Beannchor Group (pictured on site below), commented:
“Belfast is increasingly becoming known as a cosmopolitan European city but it needs to continue to raise its game. We believe that The National Grande Café Bar and Patisserie Mimi will bring a genuine continental atmosphere to the Cathedral Quarter and will be a welcome addition to the area, which is quickly becoming the city’s cultural and social hub.
“Over the last few years we have invested over £16million in the local hospitality industry and, as a result, we have built a strong portfolio of licensed premises, creating hundreds of jobs across Northern Ireland. We are committed to further expansion and hope to announce plans for another venue in the Cathedral Quarter soon.”
The Beannchor Group boasts a portfolio of over 50 pubs, hotels and restaurants across Northern Ireland. The launches of The National Grande Café Bar and Patisserie Mimi welcomes a significant jobs boost, with the creation of over 40 new jobs this September. An additional 50 jobs are expected to be created later this year, with the opening of a third new venue, also in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter.
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