1. Titanic
2. Game of Thrones.

I can confidently say that Titanic Belfast is arguably the BEST MUSEUM I’VE EVER BEEN TO, and therefore the best thing to do in Belfast!  But no need to trust me.  Trust the “World’s Best Tourist Attraction Award” it won at the World Travel Awards (aka Tourism Oscars).

Now, in the time of COVID, you need to book your tickets in advance. I booked a student ticket for “The Titanic Experience”, at 15.50 GBP ($22 USD), which included the Titanic exhibits (self guided), as well as entry to the SS Nomadic – the White Star Line’s last remaining Vessel, and original tender boat to the RMS Titanic. 

But we’ll get to the Titanic in a bit. First thing’s first. Food.

Disclaimer: this post contains only iPhone photos, out of laziness and exhaustion from carrying my camera gear.

Please note that some products or referrals in this post are affiliate links (in green) and if you go through them to make a purchase or booking, I will earn a commission. I share these product and booking links because they are related to the post and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours whether to click through and make a purchase through these links.

1. Pre-Museum Breakfast in Belfast

My day started near the Botanic train station.  Nearby is Maggie Mays Belfast Cafe, which its website boasts as the “best home cooking in Belfast”.  Beware, it’s cash only.  I didn’t really know what Northern Irish breakfast was like, but after lots of smoked salmon and eggs in Scotland, I was ready for a change.

As an American, cheesy beans on toast is not a thing. In fact, beans are rarely a breakfast item. But when in Belfast, do as the Northern Irish do.

In case you were wondering, this breakfast is definitely a knife and fork activity.  Pretty delicious and extremely filling, it keep me full for several hours.  And then I set off on a long walk, about 2.5 miles (50 minutes), from the Botanic area to Titanic Belfast.

2. En route to the Titanic Belfast

Long meandering is very much my style, mainly because you get to see lots of the city by walking.  Taking the train is also an option – its an easy route from Botanic to the Titanic Quarter station.  But the more I walk, the more I am able to eat by the time the next meal rolls around. Titanic Belfast is located across the River Lagan from the rest of the city.

Along the way, you’re able to pass City Hall, many charming Victorian buildings, the Albert Clock (commemorating Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband), and the Spirit of Belfast.

The Albert Clock (lower left) was built on marshy, reclaimed land near the river, and as a result has begun to lean.  Nearby, is the Spirit of Belfast sculpture (lower right), which like all sculptures in a capital city, has some kind of controversy surrounding it.  The Spirit was built after a city-wide competition for a sculpture, and won a majority of votes.  However, it didn’t stop someone from adding a banner with the bold word “FAIL” to the front of it in 2012.

2.1 The Salmon of Knowledge

When you come out of the city area, and reach the riverbanks of the Lagan, you are greeted by the Big Fish, or the Salmon of Knowledge.  Yes, there is a Salmon of Knowledge in Belfast. I mean, if I didn’t already tell you that I thought Titanic Museum was the best thing to do in Belfast, I’m sure visiting the salmon of knowledge would have been your guess.

The Salmon was built to commemorate the return of fish to the River Lagan in 1999.  Development of the river areas, reclaiming land, and changes to the river that almost entirely changed the landscape of Belfast … all of this aided in the loss of marine life to the river.  But thankfully now, the fishies are back again.

And then onward, to the Belfast Harbour and the SS Nomadic.  All along the river, there are signs with historical facts about Belfast and its shipbuilding industry.

3. The Titanic Belfast

When I arrived to the museum, my friend texted me, asking about my plans for the day. I was about to visit the Titanic museum, I said.  To which she replied, “Why is there a Titanic Museum in Belfast?”  Great question.  The Titanic was built in Belfast!  In their dry docks, with their laborers.

The museum was built on the original site of the shipyard where Titanic was built.  It is a large, squarish building, with at least 6 floors of exhibitions. 

At first, this made me a little nervous, because big museums can be… boring, if not curated properly.  But I can say, without a doubt, the museum was fantastic!  Very interactive, a lot of videos and audio files to listen to.  The exhibits expertly used technology and computer animation to give facts and offer perspective into size or volume. 

It even started out with a history of Belfast section, which I very much appreciated, introducing the various industries that gave rise to Belfast’s industrialization… for example, linens, whiskey, and finally, shipbuilding. Back in the day, Belfast was the number one producer of linens made from flax – really cool, right?

Exhibits at Titanic Belfast:

• Boomtown Belfast
• The Shipyard – which includes an amusement park-like ride through a recreation of a shipyard and moves through a scale replica of Titanic’s rudder (it’s enormous!  but poorly lit, so no good photos or videos)
• The Launch – launch into Belfast Lough – May 31, 1911
• The Fit-Out, including a sample of each class of cabin, and a 360 degree computer generated tour through Titanic’s levels (shown in the bottom right photo of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle’s visit below)
• The Maiden Voyage – the journey from Southampton to Cherbourg, then Cobh, and then finally, across the Atlantic
• The Sinking – April 14/15, 1912
• The Aftermath
• Myths & Legends (including media portrayal)
• and finally, Titanic Beneath – a video and exhibit floor about the wreckage and rediscovery of Titanic

I probably spent about 2 hours in the museum, and about half an hour in the SS Nomadic tender. Admission to the SS Nomadic tender came with my Titanic ticket. 

The Nomadic is a tender boat, used to ferry passengers to the Titanic and its sister ship, the Olympic.  It was built in the spillways next to the Olympic and Titanic in the Harland and Wolff shipyards. 

No matter what, the Nomadic is not as exciting especially when you come there directly following the world’s greatest museum.  But it was an interesting small vessel and worth the visit since you’re in the neighborhood.  Charlie Chaplin, from the photo above, was one of the famous people that had used the Nomadic back in the day.

Please note that some products or referrals in this post are affiliate links (in green) and if you go through them to make a purchase or booking, I will earn a commission. I share these product and booking links because they are related to the post and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours whether to click through and make a purchase through these links.

4. Lunch at Yardbird Belfast

Afterwards, I backtracked my original path, walked about 20 minutes towards the Albert Clock, in search of my lunch spot, Yardbird.  Yardbird specializes in free roaming, roast chicken.  Marinated for 24 hours and roasted on a spit.  Lunch is served from 12-5 pm, so there’s plenty of time to take advantage of their 5 GBP lunch specials (SO LEGIT).

Naturally, I ordered a lunch special.

The meat from the chicken was literally falling off the bones!!  After I finished… I was … still hungry.  (HEY!  I walked A LOT!)  And the table near me had an order of corn on the cob, so instead of ordering just a corn, of course, I ordered a second lunch special.

Although Yardbird isn’t the best thing to do in Belfast, like the Titanic Museum, it sure could be! I don’t have to explain how delicious it is – from my second helping, it’s pretty obvious.

5. Wrapping up the day

Full bellied and immediately satisfied, I left Yardbird to make my way home.  Along the way, I passed by Pottinger’s Entry.  There are several other entryways along the side off of the High Street in Belfast, but this is the most obvious with the big sign.  Curious, I peaked in, which revealed an alleyway and and a pub tucked behind it.

6. Parting Thoughts on my day in Belfast

Sometimes large museums can be daunting. You may struggle to keep your attention. But not Titanic Belfast! All of the exhibits were well-thought-out and very interesting. Even now, a few years later, I can still remember specific details about the exhibits. Belfast’s history is rich and diverse. You’ll learn so much by visiting Titanic Belfast.

If you’re willing to spend the time to learn, then Titanic Belfast is definitely the best thing to do in Belfast. Absolutely the most interesting museum I’ve ever been to!

Be sure you eat a hearty breakfast before. Nothing is worse than losing energy in a big museum! Aaaaand, maybe follow it up with an amazing roast chicken lunch or two!

7. Titanic Belfast Visitor Information

1 Olympic Way, Queen’s Road,
Belfast BT3 9EP
Phone: +44 28 9076 6386
Website
Hours of operation: Check the website for up to date opening information.

2021 ticket prices

• Adult: 19 GBP ($26 USD)
• Child (5 – 16): 8.50 GBP ($12 USD)
• Child, under 5: FREE
• Family pack (2 adults, 2 children): 46.50 GBP ($65 USD)
• Essential carer: FREE
• Student (Mon – Fri only): 15.50 GBP ($22 USD)
• Senior (Mon – Fri only): 15.50 GBP ($22 USD)

8. Half Day Itinerary Recap

• 9 AM: Cheesy beans on toast at Maggie May’s | map
  • walk past City Hall, Spirit of Belfast, Albert Clock, Salmon of Knowledge
• 10:30 AM: greatest museum experience at Titanic Belfast | map
• 1:45 PM: double lunch specials at Yardbird | map
• Explore Pottinger’s Entry, along with other Entry’s
• 3 PM: Fin

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Lannie

Lannie is a perpetual wanderer and loves to share her travel adventures and the food she eats along the way with everyone.  She works during the day while bouncing around the world and dreams about new places and faces at night!  She has a home on the magical Isle of Islay in Scotland, where the whisky flows freely and happily.

Click on the blue icons below to follow her on social media!

lanniesfoodandtravel.com/index.php/about-me/

I would suggest making reservations, especially if you travel to Skye during the peak tourism months of April – September (ish). 

Even though I was visiting during the off season, I made a 6:30 dinner reservation to make sure I could eat at this amazing restaurant, especially since it was so close to where I was staying.  If you stay at The Three Chimneys hotel, they automatically give you dinner reservations during your stay.  The hotel portion looks lovely from the photos online.

I arrived at the restaurant at 6:20.  There is a small parking lot across from the restaurant.  I imagine that lot would get full very fast, and the overflow parking is merely parking on the side of the road, which I am always loathe to do, for fear of parking badly and having another car hit me.  I digress. 

When I arrived at the restaurant, it was completely empty.  I was literally the only person there.  The wait staff were extremely friendly, and I asked them if it was normal for the restaurant to be this empty.  Apparently people in the UK enjoy later dinners, and the waiter said by 7:30 or 8 pm, the place would be completely full.  And sure enough, it was.

There are two dinner menu options, the dinner tasting menu (3 courses for £69) and the Skye Land and Sea tasting menu (8 courses for £98).  The restaurant requests that the diners at the table order the same tasting menu, probably to alleviate timing issues of one person having three courses and the other having eight.  But, why eat three courses when you can easily have eight?  So obviously, I selected the Land and Sea menu. Everything on that menu was either caught in the loch (lake) outside of the restaurant or farmed on Skye or in the Scottish Highlands.

Bread

First, they brought me some bread and butter.  Full disclosure, even though I told myself I wouldn’t eat all the bread, I really couldn’t help myself.  Foreshadowing: that was my mistake and I should try harder in the future not to stuff myself on bread and butter.

Two different types of sourdough bread and a rye + dark ale bread. There were two flavors of butter – the left was a claret or carrot butter (sorry, I really didn’t hear, but my first guess was claret. but I can’t be certain). the butter on the right was a delicious seaweed butter. Both were actually delicious, but I still couldn’t figure out what the first butter was.

1st course: Dunvegan Langoustine

Langoustine from the loch, with smoked cod roe, and a variety of carrots (dehydrated, pickled, and crisped). Side note, you’ll remember that langoustine is a favorite in Icelandic cuisine.

2nd course: Dunvegan Crab

Foam from the roasted Dunvegan crab with horseradish, dunvegan crab with salt baked turnip, and almonds. Delicious!!

3rd course: Sconser Scallops

Roasted scallop, on pork belly, with celery and grapefruit. with shrimp chip crumbles on top

4th course: Halibut

Seaweed wrapped miso halibut, with mussels, cockerels, and a fried oyster, on leek. This was probably my least favorite course, mostly because of the giant leek that the mussel was sitting on.  I didn’t feel that it worked very well, and I don’t know – the leek flavor was a little too much for me.

5th course: Mallard Duck

Roasted duck, topped with coriander seeds. rhubarb and spring onions, on the side For me, there was a bit too many coriander seeds on top, but then again, I am the type of person that thinks there is too many coriander seeds in Italian sausage.

6th course: Skye Red Deer

Skye red deer, with roasted beet root, with ash sprinkled on top. a side of haunch hot pot (not pictured).

This was my least favorite plating – it makes a great photo, but it felt morbid, with the beetroot sauce splattered on the plate and the ash sprinkled all over.  I’m not sure if my photo does it justice, but it felt like a vampire fantasy on a plate.

7th course: Lemon Cream

First dessert course – pistachio bread, with lemon cream sorbet, goat curd mousse, and burnt yogurt.

8th course: Baked Apple

Final course – second dessert – donut, with baked apple slices with java pepper crumble and cider cream.

I am usually one to finish everything on my plate, even if I am too full.  But the above donut hole wasn’t anything particularly special, and after one bite, I decided to leave it be.  The java crumble, however, was a surprisingly delicious peppery addition to the baked apple. Nice touch, Three Chimneys!

Parting Thoughts my dinner at Three Chimneys Skye

Although I was completely bursting by the end of the 8th course, the waitress came by with a box of chocolates.  We both looked at each other, her seeing me miserably full, and began to laugh.  But she told me, she understood, but I really had to try some of these chocolates.  Her personal recommendation was the chocolate truffle and the sea salt caramel chocolate. 

And although I thought I was so full that I could not bear it, it turns out there is always room for chocolate. 

All in all, Three Chimneys offered a very unique and delicious tasting menu – the Tastes of the Land and Skye. It’s a wonderful introduction to local wildlife in Scottish cuisine.  Definitely don’t eat too much of the delicious bread that they give you in the beginning, and you may stand a chance.

For other fine dining experiences in Scotland, be sure to check out:

• Monachyle Mhor – spearheaded by Chef Tom Lewis, tucked away in the Trossachs;
• Inver – Chef Pam Brunton’s Michelin Green Star winning dining experience in the heart of Argyll on the west coast.

Restaurant Information for the Three Chimneys Skye

Three Chimneys | map
Colbost, Dunvegan, Colbost,
Isle of Skye IV55 8ZT, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 1470 511258
Reservations Required

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Lannie

Lannie is a perpetual wanderer and loves to share her travel adventures and the food she eats along the way with everyone.  She works during the day while bouncing around the world and dreams about new places and faces at night!  She has a home on the magical Isle of Islay in Scotland, where the whisky flows freely and happily.

Click on the blue icons below to follow her on social media!

lanniesfoodandtravel.com/index.php/about-me/

“If you only have time for one meal, make a reservation at the restaurant Machneyuda.” 

The Points Guy

I basically had time for one great meal. Obviously, I had to try to eat at the best restaurant in Jerusalem.

Machneyuda opens 1.5 hours after the Sabbath on Saturday. After googling, on February 17, 2018, the end of Sabbath was 6:04 pm.  So by 7:15, I was sitting outside of the restaurant, hoping hoping hoping I would get a table.  I did not make any plan B’s, such was the ferocity of my determination.

Arrival to Machneyuda

It was a 6 minute walk from my Airbnb, which would have been fine, except that it started raining, literally the second that I started walking.  With each step, the downpour got heavier and heavier.  In my head, I considered turning around, giving up, and eating chocolate for dinner.  But thinking of the points guy, I thought this was indeed my one open slot for a great meal in Jerusalem, I trudged onward. 

When the doors finally opened around 7:40 pm, I immediately said I was looking for a table for 1, and explained how the reservation system did not work for reservations for 1.  They said there was no availability and they were fully booked for the evening.  But I was welcome to wait.  I have to apologize for my behavior, because I suppose I could have been nicer.  But the rain hampered my mood.  I was waiting outside not more than 3 minutes when the host said there was a cancellation, and if I did not mind eating with another single traveler who also did not have a reservation, that we could share a table.

ENTER NEW FRIEND

As a solo traveler, this has happened in the past, and I was paired up with another woman.  However, back then (in Rome) the other woman did not speak English.  So we sat at the world’s tiniest table, NOT speaking to each other and NOT looking at each other while eating.  LOL

Please note that some products or referrals in this post are affiliate links (in green) and if you go through them to make a purchase or booking, I will earn a commission. I share these product and booking links because they are related to the post and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours whether to click through and make a purchase through these links.

The host and the waiter gave us a round of shots to show their appreciation for us sharing a table.  Me and S already started chatting it up immediately and were both so happy to not have a dinner in silence.  Plus, as The Points Guy accurately described, it felt like a raucous party inside. 

I ordered the tasting menu, for 295 Shekels (which is about $84), and it was the most generous tasting menu I have ever had in my life. And you will definitely see how it is the best restaurant in Jerusalem!

Without further ado…

1st Course

Tuna tartare with “the worlds smallest tomatoes” and cream cheese.

2nd Course

Caviar paste, with olive oil, red onions, and tomatoes.

3rd Course

Yellowtail sashimi in a crispy “Indian” shell. I didn’t describe it as Indian, the waiter did. Not sure why it was characterized that way though…

I bet you’re thinking “oh, these courses look small and manageable.”  All I have to say to you is JUST YOU WAIT.

4th Course

Beef tartare, with mint and almonds

5th Course

Tiny corned beef slider.

6th Course

Polenta, with asparagus, mushrooms, truffle oil and parmesan cheese, served in a jar .

And now, onto the main courses.  Fortune favors those who don’t give up…

7th Course – Mains

Sea bass, mussels, with chick peas and a tahini Moroccan stew.

7th Course at Machneyuda Continues..

From courses 1-7, I had finished everything that you see before you.  And then more arrives and I am at a loss for words.  But if I had to describe it in one word, it would be MEAT.

Seventh course, part B. Lamb, rib eye, sitting on a leak, with mashed potatoes

Seventh course, part C. Beef.. something..and I don’t remember anymore. meat coma.

Are you alive still?  I barely am, reliving this experience through photos.  Are there more courses?  Of course! 

Dessert

I don’t know anymore!!! All I will say is that coconut ice cream in the lower left hand corner was SUPER FROZEN and did not melt, even when I ate it at the very end. Everything was delicious. Too. Delicious. Too. Much. Food.

Somewhere within the courses was another free round of shots, this time with Ouzo or Rakia…

Parting Thoughts on Machneyuda

Even though my dinner buddy did not order the tasting menu, her courses were equally as large, and we both were so full and satisfied by the end.  And I am so glad we met! 

Machneyuda was a fun dining experience to review, and it certainly lived up to the expectation of being the best restaurant in Jerusalem! 

The rest of the restaurant was so lively with loud music, dancing from random people (living their best life), free shots and amazing food.  And sorry for the dark photos!

I’ll end it here, with me and my new friend, S.  I need a nap after this post. 🙂

Looking for something more low key? How about an introduction to Israel’s Street Food, from Anda at Travel for a While.

Restaurant Information

Machneyuda | map
Beit Ya’akov St 10,
Jerusalem, Israel
Closed: Friday dinner, Saturday lunch
Phone: +972 2-533-3442
Reservations – highly recommended!

Lannie

Lannie is a perpetual wanderer and loves to share her travel adventures and the food she eats along the way with everyone.  She works during the day while bouncing around the world and dreams about new places and faces at night!  She has a home on the magical Isle of Islay in Scotland, where the whisky flows freely and happily.

Click on the blue icons below to follow her on social media!

lanniesfoodandtravel.com/index.php/about-me/

How I found Toque!

I’ve recently been doing “the Twitter thing”, so I tweeted to @Montreal asking for advice in this little exchange below:

Have you tried @RestaurantToque?

— Tourisme Montréal (@Montreal) January 7, 2018

This led to my incessant googling, where I found out about Toque! 

• It was the #1 restaurant in Canada in 2015 and 2016. 
• In 2017 and 2018, it was the #2 restaurant in Canada.
• In 2019, Toque! ranked as the 3rd best restaurant in Canada.

I don’t see this as Toque slipping in quality, but rather it set the bar high for Canadian restaurants and inspired others.

What did I eat at Toque!

I chose the 7 course tasting menu, with or without foie gras (with of course) for C$136.  It would be a chef’s choice surprise tasting.  I was eating and texting with a friend, who called me “courageous” for going for the surprise.  But at one of Canada’s top restaurants, you can’t go wrong.  (Unless you have a pickle course, and then you CAN go very, very wrong.)  So here it is, my 7 courses + amuse bouche + espresso + tasty treat at the end.

Amuse Bouche

Breadstick wrapped in pancetta with citrus mayo

1st course: Princess Scallops

Princess Scallops – blueberry water, shallot, kohlrabi, berry vinegar, mint mousse (official menu description). Instructions given: “take it, like an oyster shot”

2nd course: Arctic Char

Arctic Char – with kombu seaweed and green onions

3rd course: Foie Gras Terrine

Foie Gras Terrine – morello cherries, caramelized cocoa nibs, popcorn, cherry and Cabernet Sauvignon reduction. My favorite course! The crispiness of the cocoa nibs and popcorn paired perfectly with the soft terrine.

4th course: Venison

Venison – with artichoke, shiitake mushroom and potatoes. Delicious!!

5th course: Duck

Duck – with brussels sprouts. Perfectly cooked duck!!

6th course: Bailey’s Ice Cream Brulee

Bailey’s ice cream brûlée – with chocolate and maple crunch. Again, I really loved the maple crunch texture with the softness of the ice cream. This was perfect!

7th course: Molasses Cake

All I remember about the description of this course was: molasses cake. But I’ll provide a breakdown of the parts, in my own words:

• Middle “dome” – coffee/chocolate flavored;
• Tan egg – some flavor of ice cream;
• The branches / sticks – cocoa dusted;
• Tiny squares – light and crispy. No clue whatsoever …but it was absolutely delicious!

Dessert, to top it off!

Parting Thoughts on Toque Montreal

Overall, the food and the service were excellent.  I think my favorite courses were:

• (1) foie gras terrine – not because it’s foie gras, and I love foie gras. But the POPCORN really added so much to it!  The popcorn gave a new dimension of texture to the foie gras and added a lightness to counter the heaviness of the foie gras;
• (2) the princess scallop, taken as a shot.  The combination of the scallop, blueberry water, and mint mousse was so refreshing! 

For the two dessert courses (6 and 7), I had the option of substituting one for a cheese plate.  The waiter came up to me and said, “For the next two courses, you can choose between… cheese and dessert or dessert and dessert.”  Well when you put it like that, OBVIOUSLY the choice is two desserts! 

Before I end this post, I wanted to direct your attention back to the Bailey’s ice cream brûlée photo: See the gold patch in the corner?  That’s Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer dusted or mixed with powder gold.  It’s also a philosophy on life, where nothing is ever truly broken.  I kinda like that.  Remember that next time you’re down.  You’re never really truly broken, you may be different, but all the more beautiful.

And with that, it is 4:30 am, and hopefully time for bed.  Good night, Montreal!

Restaurant Information:

Toque! | map
900 Jean Paul Riopelle Pl,
Montreal, QC H2Z 2B2, Canada
Closed: Saturday lunch, Sunday and Monday
Phone: +1-514-499-2084
Reservations

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Lannie

Lannie is a perpetual wanderer and loves to share her travel adventures and the food she eats along the way with everyone.  She works during the day while bouncing around the world and dreams about new places and faces at night!  She has a home on the magical Isle of Islay in Scotland, where the whisky flows freely and happily.

Click on the blue icons below to follow her on social media!

lanniesfoodandtravel.com/index.php/about-me/