Chef Michael Deane to expand restaurant

Chef Michael Deane has announced a £500,000 expansion of his flagship restaurant on Howard Street in Belfast which will create thirty new jobs.

Work has already begun after the company took over the former Equinox store next door to the existing Deanes Restaurant and Seafood Bar. The development will feature a new restaurant called Eipic as well as a Billecart Champagne Bar.

Deanes said its Seafood Bar is to extend to a hundred seat capacity and the expansion also involves the installation of an Argentinian Grill.

Managing Director Michael Deane, one of Northern Ireland's best known chefs, said:" Deanes has had a successful few years and I am delighted to be in a position to invest further , not just in our business , but in our city! Despite recent setbacks , Belfast remains vibrant and our customers have continued to endorse our passionate belief in it as a city to be enjoyed by both local people and tourists."

As well as the Howard Street premises , Deanes also operates Deanes Deli and Vin Cafe in Bedford Street, Deanes at Queens in the University Quarter and Deane and Decano on the Lisburn Road. The company will employ a total of 150 people once the extensions are complete.

Michael Deane first founded his restaurant in a disused Railway Station in Helen's Bay in 1993, and was awarded a Michelin Star in 1997. Deanes in Belfast opened that same year and held it's Star for fourteen years, making it the longest running Michelin Starred Restaurant ever in Northern Ireland.

The new Restaurants will be open for business from mid February.