Award winning Chef Kelan McMichael has taken the bull by the horns in Ballynahinch, Co Down, to open his first restaurant venture.
On Thursday 2nd June, the doors opened at Ballynahinch’s eagerly awaited new restaurant, the Bull & Ram, owned by chef Kelan McMichael, who previously worked at The Poacher’s Pocket in Lisbane which was the winner of 2015 Best Gastro Pub.
Kelan’s passion for local, County Down ‘no frills’ food has inspired him to create an imaginative, modern yet informal menu that showcases the very best of local produce and ingredients all underpinned with incredible flavours.
Award winning 40 day succulent rib-eye beef or 28 day sirloin beef aged in Himalayan salt from Hannan Meats and local Portavogie fresh fish will all grace an ever changing seasonal menu.
Kelan’s passion for foraging, sourcing and growing seasonal ingredients all lends itself to a succulent and mouth-watering menu. A medley of seasonal soft fruits, vegetables and herbs will all be grown in the walled garden unearthed behind the property.
Ironic and also iconic, the venue chosen to host Kelan’s first restaurant is a beautiful Grade 1 listed Edwardian butchers shop in Ballynahinch which has been lovingly restored with the help of architect Sean Furey, Gradon Architecture. As work was undertaken on this listed building, stunning original features were revealed from the exquisite tiles on the walls and floors to the actual bull and ram head.
Kelan McMicheal said: “After 15 years as a chef and having the privilege to work in some incredible restaurants as Head Chef, I felt ready to undertake my own venture. I fell in love with the building in Ballynahinch and it has been full of surprises over the last few months as it has literally unveiled its hidden treasures to us.
“I have been experimenting with my modern, bistro menu over the years and want to celebrate the true wealth of incredible seasonal, local produce that is on offer in abundance here in Co. Down.
“Strangford Lobster, Kilkeel crab on toast, Hannan Meats dry-aged in a Himalayan salt chamber to a simple French Onion Soup all served with a glass of James Nicholson’s finest wines.”
The Bull & Ram open to customers on the 2nd June 2016 and it will create twelve new jobs, enjoy eighty covers and be open seven days a week all day for lunch and dinner.
Visit: www.bullandram.com
The Bull and Ram, 1 Dromore Street, Ballynahinch, BT24 8AG.
Telephone: 02897 560 908
