A Bite Above

This little cafe has existed in Ballymoney for some time now under management of various people and previously know as the peppercorn. Recently however it came under new management again, this time renaming itself to 'A Bite Above' which was great naming considering the cafe is based upstairs.
Some might say it being upstairs if off putting and alienates people that may not be able to use stairs and to a certain extent they are right but sometimes I believe a business has to make hard choices when picking locations and must sometimes make small sacrifices to have a business that is successful, and this one certainly is.
Since its opening I have been a regular and can say that it is busy every lunchtime even on one occasion not getting a seat and having to go elsewhere but didn't mind as its great to see a business so successful.
The restaurant is bright and airy with great views of the street below from the majority of the tables.
On my visit to the restaurant We were served quickly giving us just enough time to look the menu and make our choice. The server also knew the menu well and even when I asked swap an item for another when ordering, this was not a problem.
The food was ready in about 15 minutes and from the first taste you could tell the food was fresh and well cooked. the plates were hot and if you enjoy a good feed then your in the right place!
Not only was the meal more than enough but the price very reasonable with my whole meal costing about £7. when I say meal I mean a meal as I never bothered with dinner that evening because it was that good.
It I did have a criticism I would say that due to how busy the cafe can be, we arrived and had to sit at a table which wasn't cleared yet but this was quickly sorted considering the one server that was on.
I can say on this occasion I yet again enjoyed my meal and have yet to get a bad one from the bite above. Upstairs is a problem however as I have someone who would love to try but unfortunately would find it hard to use the staires easily.
I will be returning again and again and recomend it to the towns people who haven't tried it yet. I would recomend their frys.




Menu 8/10
Taste 9/10
Staff 8/10
Place 8/10
Total 33/40
**** toon scullery star's

My intentions for this blog

Just to make my intentions clear, I am not here to run food outlets into the ground but to give my opinion as a typical customer. the comments are intended to be used for others to make and informed decision about where to eat and also for the businesses to make changes which will attract people to come back to the places in question.

Every food outlet can have bad days and that's why I will alway give a place a second change and would advise other to do the same but at different time of day and base your opinion on a few visits.

Food business also have to understand that the food is the main area to concentrate on but the whole eating experience from taste to atmospheres also plays an important role in getting returning customers. It's no good getting nice food if your feet stick to the restaurant floor or your tables not clean as this affects how you taste you food.

There is a place for all kinds of food outlets in the toon but remember your only as good as your last customers opinion, be prepared to change you ideals in response to customers opinion and there is good local food/produce on our doorstep....USE IT.

The Golden Horse

Recently re-opened, this Chinese restaurant and take away has been totally revamped with brand new menu to match.

 1st impressions from the outside you would think not much has changed, but on closer inspection the net curtains have gone and inside has been given a new lick of paint with modern wallpaper to match.

As soon as you arrive, the staff are quick to attend you making sure you have drinks soon after arriving. On the first occasion I sat in the restaurant and had the afternoon buffet with for the low price of £5.99 per person you received a modest selection of food to suit all tastes.

The plates were small but this caused no problems as you can go for seconds if you wish. If you weren't full after that then the price includes a desert buffet consisting of jelly, ice cream, fruit selection and cheese cake selection. On inspection of the menu, a wide choice is available if the buffet is not to your taste most of which can be taken out also. My second visit was a takeout and found the food again very good and without a long wait and again reasonably priced.

Overall the Golden Horse provided an enjoyable meal that didn't cost too much and will def be returning to check that it's standards are consistent and don't drop as happens with so many new restaurants over time.

Would like to see the outside cheered up a bit as most people I have mentioned the New Golden Horse to either didn't relise it had reopened or wouldn't eat in it due to the stigma from the last time it operated.

 Menu 7/10

Taste 7/10

Staff 8/10

 Place 7/10

 Total 29/40

 *** toon scullery star's