REVIEW: Safari Grill

As a vegetarian I am very often limited in what I can eat at restaurants or dining out, however on a recent visit to the Safari Grill, an award winning restaurant situated in Banbridge, I found that it has one of the best vegetarian/vegan menus on offer.

The innovative and extensive menus provide a wide range of exciting dishes for anyones palette, from succulent chicken to the traditional Irish stew and it also includes wraps, wings and many more delicious things.

The establishment is modern with comfortable seating areas with classic artworks on the walls and cool lighting.

On entering the restaurant on a very rainy afternoon we were warmly welcomed by smiling staff who offered us a choice of tables.

As it was lunch time my mother didn’t know whether to opt for a freshly made panini or try a main course. Finally she decided to try the Safari Creamy Pepper Chicken which was sliced roast chicken breast, topped with mushrooms, peppers, onions in a pepper sauce served with homemade cooked chips. She said the texture of the chicken was very tender, juicy and succulent and the rich, thick creamy peppered sauce complemented the dish perfectly - with just a hint of heat.

I decided to keep it quite traditional and selected the quorn sausages with homemade chips and egg.

The sausages were cooked to absolute perfection and with care - I don’t usually get to opt from many quorn dishes when I am out so this was a particular treat and a break from the norm for me.

I have also found that when eating out many places find it difficult to cook the perfect fried egg - in my opinion the white has to be fluffy and soft with the yolk completely runny - and I have to complement the chef, my eggs could not have been cooked any better.

However, my favourite part of the dish was the very generous offering of homemade chips which I can only describe as some of the best I have ever tasted. Quite often restaurants have served me a pile of greasy and soggy cuts of deep-fried potato but the Safari Grill have found the right balance - crispy on the outside and light on the inside. This was also served with fresh bread and butter so it was the perfect chip butty for me!

My 12-year-old daughter couldn’t decide whether to go for a burger, chicken bites or pork sausages, After a bit of toing and froing she selected the sausages which were served with chips and beans. It was just the perfect amount for a child and she cleaned the plate. When I asked her to describe the taste of the sausages her reply was, “Mummy, they are definitely better than yours and nanny’s, they have a sort of smoky taste, can we come back here for dinner tomorrow”. I think that is definitely a satisfied customer.

The family restaurant also caters for infants with baby mash with gravy or beans so no need to worry about feeding the wee one’s first - absolutely everyone is catered for at the Safari Grill.

I also have to mention that the award winning restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week and provides a Gluten Free alternative for people who are gluten intolerant and also caters for Vegans at very affordable prices.

But that’s not all, the Safari Grill also hosts their very popular entertainment nights for adults which includes karaoke nights and features prize giveaways as well as drinks promotions.

To find out more check out their website at www.safari-grill.com or like their Facebook page to discover weekly giveaways and promotions.

C Dornan

Safari Grill can be found at 69 Newry St, Banbridge. Open seven days a week, from 8.30 on weekdays until late. Find them on Facebook @safaribanbridge.