# @kirstenalana on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/By5MBiZhQEQ
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/2429582-kirstenalana-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/ff564308e2.jpg
- **Posted:** 2019-06-19T13:47:44.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Kirsten Alana (@KirstenAlana) — https://gondola.cc/KirstenAlana

## Caption

In another of my @stellerstories from this hosted trip with @tourismireland - I talk about the best cocktails & dinner we had in Belfast.
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The cocktails were enjoyed at @grandcentralbelfast’s Observatory Bar which has amazing views of the city in addition to craft cocktails that had @davyj0nes & I wondering how many times was too many to return for the exact same cocktail in one trip.... You’ll just have to check out my Steller story to see which cocktail I’m referring to. And for those that want to choose for themselves, the Observatory had something I’ve never seen before at a bar - a visual representation of where all their cocktails fall on the scale from sweet/floral to sharp/warming and from low to high alcohol content.
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The second photo I took as we walked back to our hotel from dinner at Hadskis. I’ve tagged Chef @niallmckenna so you can see all his restaurants but I recommend not skipping Hadskis no matter what you do. His Cauliflower and Truffle Humous dish was so extraordinary I actually considered licking the plate when it was done. And if I’d had any room left, or been alone, I would have ordered a second helping! They also had wonderful cocktails and a very good wine list. Plus it’s a cozy place ideal for a long evening with friends.
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Both experiences helped me see Belfast in a new light. When I was 12, during “The Troubles,” my mum and I were caught in an IRA bomb scare in a London tube station the fright of which I can still recall if I close my eyes. And that organization dominated the news I saw about Belfast growing up in the USA. Still no place should be relegated to just headlines and Belfast is a great example of that. I don’t mean to minimize the pain of the past or to dishonor those who suffered and might still suffer on all sides. What I do want to communicate is that I actually had someone message me after the first time I mentioned Belfast to ask, “OMG is it even safe to visit?!” And yes. It is! It is more than its headlines - past & present. So much more. I loved the city! I’d like to go back one day to learn even more! ❤️ #discoverni #visitbelfast #northernireland #belfastireland #loveireland #thenewsteller #stellerstories

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## Tags

stellerstories, northernireland, loveireland, discoverni, thenewsteller, belfastireland, visitbelfast

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