A hotel restaurant is not normally where I’d choose for a weekend lunch, but the legendary Deane’s was closed so we ended up in Ten Square. Very nice it was too, excellent scampi served in old school newsprint (fake of course), perfectly grilled fillet steak and a range of other options including some pan-asian offerings and traditional British. 
I lived in Belfast during a time when there were very few new bars and not that many places to go at night in the city centre and then The Apartment opened, full of steel, chrome and dark leather. It quickly became the blueprint for all new bars and soon the city was awash with chrome and leather replicas. I must admit I didn’t really like it, it quickly filled up with those more concerned with who was looking at them than having a good time. My first visit in 6 years proves it hasn’t really changed, not being able to decide if it’s a bar, restaurant, nightclub or coffee bar…… The food is standard gastro pub fare Northern Irish style, i.e. an abundance of champ and such like, a little over priced perhaps and not that exciting. On the plus side the staff are very nice, less pushy than they used to be. The whole operation appears to have relaxed a little, probably in the face of all the identikit competitors they unwittingly inspired.
The Europa Hotel is Belfast’s oldest, grandest and most traditional hotel. Over the past 10 years Belfast itself has changed almost beyond all recognition. From a deserted, and in some parts, derelict city centre, the city has transformed itself. It’s now a lively buzzing capital with new bars and restaurants everywhere. Whilst Belfast has undergone this much needed transformation the Europa hasn’t, instead it’s stood still and let time wash over it. During Northern Ireland’s much publicised problems it earned the dubious title of Europe’s most bombed hotel; every blast brought a period of refurbishment. Since the Good Friday agreement back in the 90s the Europa has gone without is annual blast driven facelift, and it shows. Every aspect of this lovely hotel shows wear and tear; cracked tiles, stained carpets, scratched furniture and so on. 
That said, the food, the drink, the staff and the service are all still impeccable. The lobby bar is still a classy relaxed drinking oasis and the piano bar lets you watch the sun go down on the city. Mr Hastings of Hastings Hotels needs to get his wallet out for a face lift and be thankful the passage of time is the only reason. Oh, and I forgot to mention the free rubber duck.