Located within the University’s Conference & Sports Campus, this striking modern building lives up to its name - and, with large windows overlooking the campus, it looks especially impressive by night. The light-filled interior is very casual, with tables at varying heights and calm aqua colours dominating throughout.
Reading the day menu, it is clear that this buzzy bar/restaurant has to cater for the younger crowd as well as the dining public but they do it with style. There are all day student offers for €5, for example (offering the likes of tomato & basil macaroni, panini & chips), while the evening menu is more sophisticated and ‘grown-up’. Menus are short but appealing - although, surprisingly, there may be no vegetarian option.
To start, you might decide to share the Pavilion Tapas Plate – slices of ham, Greek black olives, sundried tomatoes and pesto oil, that come with toasted sourdough baguette; the oil is slighted warmed, making it taste amazingly rich.
Mains may well include ever-popular fish & chips (served in a mini deep-fat fryer basket that puts a smile on everyone’s face). It’s great to find a classic well done and there is someone here who knows how to treat fish. Light, flaky and delicious, the batter is crisp while the fish underneath is a melt-in-the-mouth sensation - one of the best fish dishes you are likely to foind anywhere. It comes with chunky fries (not up to quite the same standard perhaps, but with fish that good you probably won’t care), a side salad, mushy peas and a very good tartare sauce.
Another favourite is roast duck salad - and it’s a winner too, with crisp well-browned skin yet still moist and succulent inside, with lovely flavour. This chef knows how to cook.
And floor staff are great too, with good menu knowledge; service comes with a smile - fast and efficient without being pushy.
A short wine list but caters for the general taste, and - like the food, which is great value for the high standard offered - is keenly priced, with prices ranging from €14 to €18.
All round, a place well worth seeking out.
