The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

sporina · 24-06-2015 12:49am

Nonoperational wrote: »

They say it's homemade anyway. It was a fine meal, but the main was probably of poorer quality than a pasta dish I'd make at home.

and do/can you make your own pasta?

Mumha · 24-06-2015 9:24am

Nonoperational wrote: »

Dolce Vita, fair, ok, average. Not a patch on Gallo.

I love Gallo, it's great to have a nice restaurant in the Wilton/Bishopstown area at last. The manager Kasia, runs a very smoothly running ship, at front of house.

Colser · 24-06-2015 9:39am

Mumha wrote: »

I love Gallo, it's great to have a nice restaurant in the Wilton/Bishopstown area at last. The manager Kasia, runs a very smoothly running ship, at front of house.

I just had a look at their menu and it does look lovely however (and this is a gripe that I have with most restaurants) the price of deserts at 6.50 seems a bit much..I think that at 5e the restaurants are making enough of a profit but surely 6.50e is a bit much?Im not complaining as such its just that I find that most meals are good value but the cost of deserts/coffees can be a bit ridiculous especially when you go out as a family and everybody loves a desert..:)

Mumha · 24-06-2015 10:03am

Colser wrote: »

I just had a look at their menu and it does look lovely however (and this is a gripe that I have with most restaurants) the price of deserts at 6.50 seems a bit much..I think that at 5e the restaurants are making enough of a profit but surely 6.50e is a bit much?Im not complaining as such its just that I find that most meals are good value but the cost of deserts/coffees can be a bit ridiculous especially when you go out as a family and everybody loves a desert..:)

In general, I agree with you, though the Chocolate Brownie and the Tiramisu are worth it imo.

They do have a value menu for €25, which is good value Starter/Main/Dessert & Tea/Coffee.

If I was to make suggestions myself, they are a little heavy on tomatoes (inc Kids menu), and the Sides at €5 are on the pricey side.

sporina · 24-06-2015 11:08am

yeah i have to say apart from the value menue, g&g looks expensive for what it is; prob would not go the whole way to wilton for it..

on another note, I was in the fran well last night - ok not a restaurant but the pizza by pompeii was fabbb…. jesus - massive pizza for a tenner.. slice 3.50 (1/4 pizza)
not a lot of topping choice but what they had was good; roasted red peppers, parma ham, chorizo, goats cheese, olives… wow the sauce was diving - and the base was so thin - like proper pizza -
was a fab eve out the back in the beer garden - the place was so busy for a tuesday night - was good to see

JohnK · 24-06-2015 11:41am

Were you there at some sort of booked event? I thought they only did the pizzas on a Thursday night?

nerwen · 24-06-2015 12:41pm

From what I've seen they do pizza every night at the well now. And it is indeed good pizza!

JohnK · 24-06-2015 12:43pm

Good stuff, I've been meaning to get in there and try it but Thursday have never really suited me.

Herb Powell · 24-06-2015 1:27pm

Yeah, the pizza there is great alright, proper oven for it. Paired with the delicious beer, and it's no wonder the place is always so busy in the evening

sporina · 24-06-2015 3:08pm

JohnK wrote: »

Were you there at some sort of booked event? I thought they only did the pizzas on a Thursday night?

no i was there with friends - they do pizza every night now… twas a great buzz

Nonoperational · 24-06-2015 4:52pm

sporina wrote: »

and do/can you make your own pasta?

Rarely, I usually get it in town and make the sauce myself. I don't see your angle here at all. Strange.

J Mysterio · 24-06-2015 6:34pm

10 bucks fir a 14/16" pizza with one extra topping. Proper stone oven. Job.

sporina · 24-06-2015 8:20pm

Nonoperational wrote: »

Rarely, I usually get it in town and make the sauce myself. I don't see your angle here at all. Strange.

sorry i don't mean offense - just wondering if you are into pasta;

personally if i am gonna pay for pasta when out, i expect it to be homemade..

Nonoperational · 24-06-2015 11:53pm

Sorry, I was being cranky. I eat a lot of pasta alright. The pasta itself was nice and reportedly homemade. The sauce wasn't great, and the meat in it I didn't fancy either.

the beer revolu · 28-06-2015 1:20pm

Oh dear.
http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/food-and-drink/restaurant-reviews/review-bad-hake-day-at-zamora-1.2258691

That's gotta hurt!

leahyl · 28-06-2015 2:13pm

That's surprising, I ate in Zamora recently and I had a lovely meal. It's a pity that person didn't have the same experience.

D'Agger · 28-06-2015 3:05pm

Had a fry in GoGos yesterday that was top notch, was in there close to closing & was given a loaf of bread to take away - had some just now with a bit of bread & jam - delicious stuff.

Also noticed a table next to me ordered two sweets & coffees - the portion of cake given was outrageous :eek:

Still must try the Sextant brunch, next on the list

pwurple · 29-06-2015 7:15am

Had brunch in the River Lee hotel on Sunday, it was awesome. That deck they have over the water is beautiful altogether.. Big plants, tables have comfy couches, it's a lovely spot. They were great with kids, gave them colouring and zipped out with food for them quickly.

I had my favourite brunch thing, eggs benny (with a cocktail!). Nice crispy bacon, eggs were done right. Buddy had crab royale, which is the crab version of the same thing it looks like! They had loads on the menu, from scones and breakfast stuff, to proper lunch/dinner stuff like burgers and curries.

Delighted to find a good lunch place for a Sunday in the city, not much is open then.

Curb Your Enthusiasm · 02-07-2015 8:40am

.red. wrote: »

We bought another grab one voucher this morning, this time for a new place in ballincollig called Rooster Pil Pil. €15 for a €30 voucher. We brought the kids to the cinema and went in after.
The place is a copy of Nandos, the menu is even the same. Its got restaurant service tho and not the fast food type of service i hate so much in nandos.
The food was fantastic, 4 different types of marinade available with 4 spice levels of each ranging from mild to very hot.
We got 2 half chickens with "mild pil pil" on one and "hot mexican" on the other. The chicken was nice and juicy, cooked to perfection. We werent mad about the pil pil flavour but that was a personal preferance and nothing to do with the food. The mexican was delicious tho.
the kids both had chips and garlic bread with 6 wings or a breast cut into strips. Bots were a fine sized portion with a small dessert included for €5.95.
in total we had 2 kids meals, 2 mains, 2 teas and 1 adult dessert and it came to €44 so only cost €29 with the voucher. Great value even at full price.
Its not the kind of place id go to for a big romantic gesture but for simple well cooked food its perfect. Just make sure all your party likes chicken.

This place is excellent. The family went there last week and it was so good that we've decided to go again tonight! The Douglas branch is situated inside Lal Quila. Staff are great.

GrabOne have a €40 voucher for €20 which includes drinks & dessert purchases too. Fantastic value.

pwurple · 02-07-2015 8:55am

Techmaster wrote: »

This place is excellent. The family went there last week and it was so good that we've decided to go again tonight! The Douglas branch is situated inside Lal Quila. Staff are great.

When you say inside Lal Quila, do you mean IN the indian restaurant? Like a separate section/room, or you sit in the indian and they bring you a different menu?

Curb Your Enthusiasm · 02-07-2015 9:25am

pwurple wrote: »

When you say inside Lal Quila, do you mean IN the indian restaurant? Like a separate section/room, or you sit in the indian and they bring you a different menu?

It's in the same restaurant. Same staff, just a different menu. It's in Ballincollig too, owned by their sister restaurant there also.

D'Agger · 02-07-2015 10:23am

Will def check out Rooster Pil Pil soon, sounds right up my street.

Curb Your Enthusiasm · 02-07-2015 10:52am

D'Agger wrote: »

Will def check out Rooster Pil Pil soon, sounds right up my street.

Damn good value too. Get the voucher on Grabone while you can.

delicious!

leahyl · 02-07-2015 1:51pm

Techmaster wrote: »

It's in the same restaurant. Same staff, just a different menu. It's in Ballincollig too, owned by their sister restaurant there also.

Are you not talking about the roosters piri piri which is next to Haveli Indian restaurant?? Haveli doesn't have anything to do with this restaurant, if it is the one you are on about.

Edit: Sorry, just checked the grab one voucher you are talking about and it seems there are 2 very similar restaurants in Douglas for chicken!!

Milly33 · 04-07-2015 6:49pm

Called into Ivory Tower last night and ohhh suits you!! Must say I was loverly so so nice, and the ladies working in there made the night the nicest waitresses we have had in a long time...Must say I did end up taking half my dinner home as the portions this time were huge the taster menu is defiantly the best bet if you don't eat that much

pwurple · 05-07-2015 8:04am

Two cafe's to recommend.

Oscar's on Cook street. Had a lovely breakfast in there. Basically a mini-Irish, sausage, rashers, eggs, mushroom... But they've done it with wild boar bacon and wild boar sausages. 7.50 for brekkie. They serve the stuff in little canteen trays rather than plates, which is a bit faddy, but I got over it. Sandwich menu looked really good as well.

Alchemy on barracks street. I've never been in there before last week, but it's a gorgeous spot. Covered in old books and comfy seats, I think it's also part bookshop, and they have a swapping book area, where you can pick up books and take them away/leave other ones etc. very comfortable spot, where you can happily spend a whole afternoon chilling out.

Curb Your Enthusiasm · 05-07-2015 8:15am

leahyl wrote: »

Are you not talking about the roosters piri piri which is next to Haveli Indian restaurant?? Haveli doesn't have anything to do with this restaurant, if it is the one you are on about.

Edit: Sorry, just checked the grab one voucher you are talking about and it seems there are 2 very similar restaurants in Douglas for chicken!!

Yep both sound incredibly similar!!

Bacchus · 05-07-2015 10:27am

pwurple wrote: »

Alchemy on barracks street. I've never been in there before last week, but it's a gorgeous spot. Covered in old books and comfy seats, I think it's also part bookshop, and they have a swapping book area, where you can pick up books and take them away/leave other ones etc. very comfortable spot, where you can happily spend a whole afternoon chilling out.

+1 to Alchemy. Great little spot. Very relaxed atmosphere.

Went to Huguenot again last night (this time upstairs for a full meal, not tapas). I never realized how big it is upstairs. Really nice setting. Food was top notch too. I will be back.

leahyl · 05-07-2015 10:36am

Yeah, was in Oscars a few months ago, nice place, sandwiches were tasty. Haven't been to alchemy yet but it sounds lovely.

Yesterday went to twenty on Anglesea, had an absolutely gorgeous crusty baguette (arbutus bread) with chicken, roast peppers, rocket and pesto butter - absolutely gorgeous. Had juice also, which was carrot, orange and mint - refreshing! Then bought a piece of gluten free carrot cake and a loaf of their brown bread to take away and both tasted amazing too! Really impressed with this place!

Was looking at the whazon brochure too and noticed that there's a new cafe/wine bar called Salt opening up soon neat Kennedy park on Victoria Road. Good to see that side of town getting more bars and restaurants :-)

Just Googled it now and it appears it is being opened by the previous owners of meades wine bar on oliver plunkett street.

SusieBlue · 06-07-2015 1:39am

Looking forward to trying Brick Lane, the menu looks amazing. Right up my street. Anyone here tried it yet? Going to give it a few weeks before trying so any teething problems will be sorted.

sporina · 06-07-2015 6:57pm

WhiteRoses wrote: »

Looking forward to trying Brick Lane, the menu looks amazing. Right up my street. Anyone here tried it yet? Going to give it a few weeks before trying so any teething problems will be sorted.

menu?

whatever76 · 06-07-2015 7:13pm

sporina wrote: »

menu?

http://bricklane.ie/

Menu looks fab - be great to hear reviews. Brunch menu especially be interesting. Cork needs more of these type of options

Malari · 06-07-2015 7:58pm

Anyone know about the new fish bar opening on Princes St? Could do with another nice fish place.

northgirl · 06-07-2015 8:35pm

Malari wrote: »

Anyone know about the new fish bar opening on Princes St? Could do with another nice fish place.

Heard it's opening in the next few weeks.. from an ex Annies employee due to work there

Malari · 06-07-2015 8:45pm

northgirl wrote: »

Heard it's opening in the next few weeks.. from an ex Annies employee due to work there

Anything like the fish bar in Electric idea, do you know?

northgirl · 06-07-2015 8:56pm

Malari wrote: »

Anything like the fish bar in Electric idea, do you know?

sorry, i haven't a clue as I've never been to the one in Electric

he didn't really give any detail, was a very quick conversation

Herb Powell · 07-07-2015 11:17am

whatever76 wrote: »

http://bricklane.ie/

Menu looks fab - be great to hear reviews. Brunch menu especially be interesting. Cork needs more of these type of options

????

Is this not very very similar to a ton of places already on the go?

Like, I'm not saying it's a bad thing or having a dig at you or anything, but I don't get what makes this stand out so much (a flashy website maybe?).

the beer revolu · 07-07-2015 11:43am

Herb Powell wrote: »

????

Is this not very very similar to a ton of places already on the go?

Like, I'm not saying it's a bad thing or having a dig at you or anything, but I don't get what makes this stand out so much (a flashy website maybe?).

My thoughts exactly.
It will all be down to the execution and quality of ingredients but I find it hard to get excited about another burger and pizza joint that does eggs benedict too!

rob316 · 07-07-2015 11:55am

Tried Coqbull for the 2nd time at the weekend, after been underwhelmed the last time, I really enjoyed it this time round.

Had the ploughmans burger with sweet potato fries, wolfed it down every bite.

Another vote for Oscars, had the grilled chicken sandwich twice, really tasty and filling. Good quality Arbutus bread, nice side of homemade slaw and a lovely apple dipping relish.

One of the lads who owns Brick Lane used to work for Ernest so they should know a thing or 2 about good bar food. Sober Lanes chicken goujons are amazing to be fair.

D'Agger · 07-07-2015 12:03pm

Herb Powell wrote: »

????

Is this not very very similar to a ton of places already on the go?

Like, I'm not saying it's a bad thing or having a dig at you or anything, but I don't get what makes this stand out so much (a flashy website maybe?).

the beer revolu wrote: »

My thoughts exactly.
It will all be down to the execution and quality of ingredients but I find it hard to get excited about another burger and pizza joint that does eggs benedict too!

I was told that one of the chefs working there was involved with Liberty Grill so to that end, I'd expect decent quality. From the look of the site - it's a nice looking spot, it's in the city centre - near the new developments of the capitol & convention centre (fingers crossed that gets going), I think that, all things going well - it's a business that, while not massively unique, is still something to be excited about from the POV that, given the other businesses around that area, has the ability to develop into a very good spot for a bite to eat & with that - it's still good to see Cork continuing to develop.

I'm aware you're not criticising it, I see your points but I think that it's another investment & would like to see something in the old Classic premesis thrive - particularly given that the lads involved are young entrepreneurs

Lia_lia · 07-07-2015 12:15pm

Malari wrote: »

Anyone know about the new fish bar opening on Princes St? Could do with another nice fish place.

It's Quinlan's. I'm from Killarney and they have a very popular restaurant in Killarney town. It's more of a fancy chipper. Kinda half chipper/half restaurant. But the fish is very tasty and always gets great reviews! They have had a few fish shops around Kerry for ages, and only started the restaurants in the past few years.

J Mysterio · 07-07-2015 12:16pm

Lia_lia wrote: »

It's Quinlan's. I'm from Killarney and they have a very popular restaurant in Killarney town. It's more of a fancy chipper. Kinda half chipper/half restaurant. But the fish is very tasty and always gets great reviews! They have had a few fish shops around Kerry for ages, and only started the restaurants in the past few years.

Yeah, I know the one in Tralee. Not bad.

whatever76 · 07-07-2015 12:40pm

Herb Powell wrote: »

????

Is this not very very similar to a ton of places already on the go?

Like, I'm not saying it's a bad thing or having a dig at you or anything, but I don't get what makes this stand out so much (a flashy website maybe?).

More around the brunch aspect of it for weekends the options look great to me and hopefully will do well - I'm in Dublin a lot ( I know cant compare but we are second city after all !) and the brunch seen at weekends is thriving especially Sun and when in cork at weekends I find am pretty limited for Sunday afternoon for good quality different type brunch menu that is not liberty grill etc. this just stood out to me and delighted to see these type of offerings popping up in the city .

pwurple · 07-07-2015 2:00pm

whatever76 wrote: »

when in cork at weekends I find am pretty limited for Sunday afternoon for good quality different type brunch menu that is not liberty grill etc. this just stood out to me and delighted to see these type of offerings popping up in the city .

I'm a brunch fan as well, great to see more places doing it around Cork.

If you're ever stuck again, here's my list of places that do it
Sextant
Goldbergs
River Lee Hotel
Fenn's Quay
Lewis Glucksman Gallery
Liberty Grill
Idaho Cafe (this one isn't open sunday, just saturdays and midweek)
Serendipity
Paradise Cafe (crepe place on french church street)
Nash 19 (no sundays but is open saturdays now)
Soho
6ix
Blackrock Castle
Bodega
Amicus
East Village
Electric

Malari · 07-07-2015 2:02pm

That's a good list!

I thought 6ix was gone now?

pwurple · 07-07-2015 3:13pm

Malari wrote: »

That's a good list!

I thought 6ix was gone now?

Ah no, is it? I liked that place.

Malari · 07-07-2015 3:28pm

pwurple wrote: »

Ah no, is it? I liked that place.

Yes, but apparently they have been reincarnated at 1011 on Phoenix St (near Crane Lane). I haven't been there, so not sure what the set up is or if they do food. I hope they do, because I really liked 6ix too.

pwurple · 07-07-2015 3:34pm

Malari wrote: »

Yes, but apparently they have been reincarnated at 1011 on Phoenix St (near Crane Lane). I haven't been there, so not sure what the set up is or if they do food. I hope they do, because I really liked 6ix too.

Interesting, thanks! Will try to check it out...

northgirl · 07-07-2015 4:32pm

pwurple wrote: »

I'm a brunch fan as well, great to see more places doing it around Cork.

If you're ever stuck again, here's my list of places that do it
Sextant
Goldbergs
River Lee Hotel
Fenn's Quay
Lewis Glucksman Gallery
Liberty Grill
Idaho Cafe (this one isn't open sunday, just saturdays and midweek)
Serendipity
Paradise Cafe (crepe place on french church street)
Nash 19 (no sundays but is open saturdays now)
Soho
6ix
Blackrock Castle
Bodega
Amicus
East Village
Electric

Don't think Liberty Grill or Fenn's Quay are open Sunday either. Definitely going to try some of the others though.

Apt8 · 07-07-2015 7:39pm

Anyone any idea what's going on in Crowley's on MacCurtain Street? Walked past earlier and noticed alot of work going on in there, the signs in the window indicate some form of restaurant opening in there.

The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

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