Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Londoners Don’t Need to Feel the Pinch - Lobsterfest offers affordable luxury for the capital’s diners

With the credit crunch biting in the capital, many of us are tightening our grips on our wallets in the face of an uncertain future. A survey of London dwellers today reveals that the 1st thing to go would be luxurious dining out – with 71% agreeing they'll cut back on expensive meals as the economy worsens.

The results are particularly bad news for the likes of Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White, who may find the waiting lists for tables at their famous a-list restaurants considerably shorter, as 61% of the capitals diners say that they'll be cutting down on visits to high-end eateries.

The survey, carried out by Belgo to mark the launch of the 2008 Lobsterfest promotion, also shows that many people are put off ordering lobster by the perceived price – in fact, on average Londoners thought a whole grilled lobster would set you back £34.28. Throughout Lobsterfest, Belgo will be offering a whole grilled lobster grilled with garlic and herb butter and served with frites for £16.50– less than half this amount!

Lobster is often thought to be expensive and difficult to eat. Half of all Londoners surveyed (51%) agreed they would not dare to order lobster in the city’s eateries because of the hefty price tag. A further one in ten admitted that they simply don’t know how to eat the delicacy, and would not order it for fear of looking incompetent.

Belgo continues to offer lobster at such great prices, in a laid-back atmosphere, to allow seafood lovers and first-timers alike a chance to enjoy fresh whole lobster and a variety of easy-to-eat lobster dishes without worrying about the expense.

With news of expense accounts slashed at Deustche Bank and Goldman Sachs, even those City workers who once had a cavalier attitude to spending cannot escape the effects of the economic downturn on their dining experiences. But Lobsterfest at Belgo proves that everyone can still indulge their expensive tastes, even with those newly tightened purse strings!

Mac Plumpton, Area Manager from Belgo says: “At a time when Londoners are looking for better value when they eat out, Lobsterfest at Belgo offers people the chance to eat delicious lobster without the commonly associated expense. This will be the eighth year we have run the promotion – and we expect it to be our most successful yet!”

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Lobster without a Pinch to the Pockets - Belgo’s Lobsterfest is back in town -

Bibs to the ready! Europe’s biggest Lobsterfest returns to London on 1st June 2008 for its ninth consecutive year at Belgo restaurants.

For many, a lobster dinner in London is a luxury for special occasions only. Belgo’s Lobsterfest enables seafood lovers and first-timers alike to enjoy fresh lobster with an affordable fixed price menu. Diners can choose from the Grilled Whole Lobster, halved and grilled with garlic and Pernod butter, or the classic Surf & Turf, half a grilled lobster served with a ribeye steak; both served with frites and salad for just £16.50. Also available is the Whole Lobster Salad, served with fresh spring onions, green beans and
carrots, tossed in a delicious light port and lemon dressing.

For a limited time, the Lobsterfest menu also includes a luxurious selection of starters. For classic lobster lovers, diners can try either the Bisque d’Homard, a rich lobster and brandy bisque served with cream and chives £4.95, or Lobster Thermidor, a half lobster grilled with a light cheese, mustard and Orval beer sauce £8.50. For those with a more adventurous palate, the Red Thai Lobster, a half lobster baked with a lightly spiced and nutty red thai curry sauce £8.50, is not to be missed.

Belgo’s Lobsterfest has grown in size each year and for 2008, Belgo anticipates diners will be clawing their way through nearly 10,000 lobsters until the special offer closes!

During the festival period, guests are encouraged to take advantage of Belgo’s impressive beer menu. Beer appreciation is a strong part of the Belgo philosophy and it is justly proud of its unrivalled beer list. There are over 100 varieties on offer, including pilsners, wheat beers, fruit beers, and more potent beers brewed by monks in Belgium’s Trappist monasteries.

Belgo Centraal: 50 Earlham Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9LJ
Belgo Noord: 72 Chalk Farm Road, Chalk Farm, NW1 8AN
Bierodrome Kingsway: 67 Kingsway, London, WC2B 6TB
Bierodrome Islington: 173 Upper Street Londo N1 1LX
Bierodrome Clapham: 44-48 Clapham High Street, Clapham, London, SW4 7UR

For more info on Belgo, including details of other promotions such as Express Lunch, Beat the Clock, or the Pre/Post Theatre Menu, please visit www.belgo-restaurants.com .


For further press information on Belgo, Lobster Festival, Belgo lobster recipes and cooking tips, or to arrange a complimentary media lunch to Belgo Centraal, contact the Belgo Press Office at Cow PR

t. 0207 684 6969
e. belgo@cowpr.com