I happened to be in London in July 1986 when this delightful sandwich place first opened its doors post original liquidation.
It was a rousing opening on London's Victoria Street. The food flowed freely for a brief time. It was all rather jolly. The apartment I had was close by, but nearer Harrods.
I bummed around London for 19 years until 2004 and really never want to return. I fell out of love for the place and it had started so well.
So it's taken a staggering, inexcusable, 37 years for Pret to open in Northern Ireland and its first city centre place is in Belfast Centre by the City Hall replacing Patisserie Valerie. It's a bright airy cafe.
So I turned up (and not intentionally) just past noon as they opened their Belfast city doors in the rain.
Today was a hand - out free food trial with trading business commencing tomorrow morning. They offered 500 lunch meals free of charge today.
My wife and I got a bagged up lunch each handed over with a smile. Mine was very tasty generously filled cheese and pickle brown bread roll and my wife enjoyed her chicken salad brown bread roll.
We each got a refreshing water - based drink and shared a 500ml green tea and peach which was watery.
We kept back the cranberry, raspberry and pomegranate drink and put it in our fridge at home, oh and we each got a bag of delicious popcorn. I'd guess had we paid it would have been £10 each.
These Pret folk have come in for deserved criticism in recent months with average prices hikes around 40% but some sandwiches like egg & onion were hiked about 70%. Ouch.
Anyway they've been a very long time coming, it contributes to a rising tide that lifts all boats: I'm glad to have another choice and they are nestled into an area with plenty of competition including M&S cafe, Hotel Chocolat and Greggs as well as the independents that the city is noted for. We will return. read more