Best restaurant - must be posh

wolf99 · 01-11-2013 9:47pm #1

Hi folks!

Just want to gather some opinions on the best restaurant to go to to treat someone? TBH Im looking for somewhere a bit special that has a lot of glitz etc over the best hidden gourmet gem type thing, though the food should be good... been thinking The G but is there anywhere else I could consider?
(If it was purely for the taste Id be heading straight for Martines on Quay st!)

Thanks

ben.schlomo · 01-11-2013 10:19pm

Aniar, judging by your requirements.

wolf99 · 01-11-2013 10:36pm

Wow - they look impressive menu-wise, but I think I under-described the visual glitz factor needed.
Hmmm ... put it this way, Im not looking for haute cuisine as such, but I am looking at hiring a limo...

(Though thanks for the Aniar suggestion I will be checking it out myself next time I get a chance!)

BTW is Martine's still in business? Its been some time since I was in the town and even longer since I lived there but I still think about their pork belly!

Gremlinertia · 01-11-2013 11:06pm

The G is probably your best bet for glitz in that case so..

Martine's still going alright

dinneenp · 01-11-2013 11:42pm

A bit out but Ashford castle?

Ludikrus · 02-11-2013 12:03am

Aniar is not really that glitzy, it's quite a small room. If you're seated in the row of two seaters you are very close to the people around you. It's also a small menu selection wise. I wouldn't doubt the skill in the kitchen but make sure it's what you want because it's not a cheap restaurant.

irishlady29 · 02-11-2013 12:08am

I would highly recommend Dela, amazing food and nice chilled out ambience

inisboffin · 02-11-2013 12:15am

Is the restaurant in the train car in Glenlo Abbey still gong?

Gremlinertia · 02-11-2013 12:29am

inisboffin wrote: »

Is the restaurant in the train car in Glenlo Abbey still gong?

It is still going, the Pullman afaik.

ted2767 · 02-11-2013 12:45am

I'd also reccomend the Pullman for the wow factor.
There are better restaurants in Galway but if you want to impress somebody it's a great bet.

Seaneh · 02-11-2013 1:45am

Anair or Kai for the best food in Galway.
Oscars in town or O'Grady's on the Pier in Barna if you like seafood.

detoxkid · 02-11-2013 2:16pm

the food in the G is seriously underwhelming, we both felt sick after it. The service is good I think the decor is starting to look a bit dated though. Galway is a bit lacking in the type of thing you are looking for I think. Loads of great restaurants but not very showy

Seaneh · 02-11-2013 3:14pm

I love the food culture in Galway, it's the best in the country when you take the size of the city into account.
I love the fact that you can go to the best restaurants in the city in jeans, trainers and a tshirt and not feel out of place or have people gawking at you, which isn't true of most of the Michelin starred restaurants in Dublin (which are great restaurants).

I love that in Galway's better restaurants the emphasis is on the food, not the décor (although, they are very well arranged and look great) as well, and instead of pumping stupid amounts of money into the building the bulk of their budgets go into sourcing the best produce and ingredients and doing the best they possibly can with them.

inisboffin · 03-11-2013 2:11pm

Seaneh wrote: »

I love that in Galway's better restaurants the emphasis is on the food, not the décor (although, they are very well arranged and look great) as well, and instead of pumping stupid amounts of money into the building the bulk of their budgets go into sourcing the best produce and ingredients and doing the best they possibly can with them.

Me too! But we all know those relatives/business people who are not into their grub but are judging on the glitz and the posh soap in the loo for the wow factor! :rolleyes:

JillyQ · 03-11-2013 3:45pm

I like Kirwins lane. But if you really want to go for the wow factor i would head a bit further a field and go for somewhere like dromoland.

Ms.Sunshine · 03-11-2013 4:26pm

I was also going to Suggest Kirwans Lane Restaurant.
Ashford Castle in Mayo would be lovely but might it be a bit far out if you are looking to eat in Galway? The Meryick Hotel in Eyre Square is nice for food but might be a bit 'public'.

Kai is lovely but I certainly wouldn't arrive in a Limo to it!

ValerieR · 03-11-2013 4:40pm

How about Cloonacauneen Castle ? It's somewhere off the Tuam Road, between Galway and Claregalway.
I'm not sure what their food is like but, from what I can remember, the setting is nice.

redmissb · 03-11-2013 7:52pm

The White Gables in Moycullen is lovely.

swe_fi · 03-11-2013 7:54pm

Hi

While i don't necessarily agree with your selection criteria

, I have a suggestion that I am pretty sure that you both will enjoy and should impress.

The closest to your specific requirement is, in my opinion, The West Restaurant in the Twelve Hotel out in Barna. It is only 10 mins from Salthill so well within taxi range. I ate there 2 months ago and can thoroughly recommend it. It is fine dining (and taste), pretty exclusive and not hugely expensive for what it is. Staff are great too, and the bar part is nice to lounge in before the meal.

http://www.thetwelvehotel.ie/west-restaurant-menu

Come to think of it, I have to admit I actually brought people here before to impress - not for the same reasons as you probably - and they were impressed.

biko · 03-11-2013 10:25pm

Both Vina Mara and Malt House are a bit posh. Not sure about the glitz factor, they're just nice and normal inside.
www.vinamara.com
www.themalthouse.ie

03-11-2013 11:29pm

The Meyrick would be pretty old school and has a bar too.

poundapunnet · 03-11-2013 11:44pm

swe_fi wrote: »

Hi

While i don't necessarily agree with your selection criteria , I have a suggestion that I am pretty sure that you both will enjoy and should impress.

The closest to your specific requirement is, in my opinion, The West Restaurant in the Twelve Hotel out in Barna. It is only 10 mins from Salthill so well within taxi range. I ate there 2 months ago and can thoroughly recommend it. It is fine dining (and taste), pretty exclusive and not hugely expensive for what it is. Staff are great too, and the bar part is nice to lounge in before the meal.

http://www.thetwelvehotel.ie/west-restaurant-menu

Come to think of it, I have to admit I actually brought people here before to impress - not for the same reasons as you probably - and they were impressed.

Oh my god, I'm sorry, I'm sure the place is lovely but that page is really hard to take seriously, I'm in proper pain laughing. They have an "organic soup of the moment" and some kind of super serious choral music auto-plays when you open it. In fairness the food does look nice, but jaysis, it's only food. Definitely a posh place anyway.

Sorry I've nothing on topic to contribute, I'm not fancy, I just have to recommend everyone to click that page, it's gas (again, food looks gorgeous, not slagging it).

Squeeonline · 04-11-2013 12:59am

The Twelve in Bearna.

Mulberries in Bearna is also nice, but not as glitzy.

roseagra · 04-11-2013 10:50am

There's a nice place down the docks above Padraicins (spelling?), not sure if it's as fancy as you are looking for. They do mainly fish and the views are nice. Called Chez Azur.

3qsmavrod5twfe · 04-11-2013 5:24pm

The Brassarie on Eglington Street is not at all bad. The decor is funky eough and the menu is quite nice. Give it a lash.

RINO87 · 04-11-2013 6:07pm

poundapunnet wrote: »

Oh my god, I'm sorry, I'm sure the place is lovely but that page is really hard to take seriously, I'm in proper pain laughing. They have an "organic soup of the moment" and some kind of super serious choral music auto-plays when you open it. In fairness the food does look nice, but jaysis, it's only food. Definitely a posh place anyway.

Sorry I've nothing on topic to contribute, I'm not fancy, I just have to recommend everyone to click that page, it's gas (again, food looks gorgeous, not slagging it).

Isnt that music from one of the hannibal films?! A pretty interesting choice for a restaurant website!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyYi8H_o-Ls

Anyway, back on topic, havent eaten in the restaurant out there but I really like their bar. Swanky!

fishy fishy · 05-11-2013 10:48am

wolf99 wrote: »

Wow - they look impressive menu-wise, but I think I under-described the visual glitz factor needed.
Hmmm ... put it this way, Im not looking for haute cuisine as such, but I am looking at hiring a limo...

(Though thanks for the Aniar suggestion I will be checking it out myself next time I get a chance!)

BTW is Martine's still in business? Its been some time since I was in the town and even longer since I lived there but I still think about their pork belly!

I wouldn't advise Martines - gone way downhill, don't seem to care about what they serve up and if you complain, so what.

fishy fishy · 05-11-2013 10:49am

O Grady's on the Pier is good, posh and lovely food (lots of seafood) -its right on the pier in Barna. Very good.

Kai - make sure you check out the menu beforehand - not to everyones taste.

dinneenp · 05-11-2013 11:32am

Like I mentioned earlier why not Ashford Castle?
If you're hiring a limo (for the evening?) you'll get a good length of time in it on the trip there.
Dining is very swanky- http://www.ashford.ie/fine-dining-ireland.html

JohnCleary · 05-11-2013 6:26pm

dinneenp wrote: »

Like I mentioned earlier why not Ashford Castle?
If you're hiring a limo (for the evening?) you'll get a good length of time in it on the trip there.
Dining is very swanky- http://www.ashford.ie/fine-dining-ireland.html

And minus atmosphere tbh. Also the whole dress code thing p1sses me off (we got away with it though)

I guess if you want posh and bland it'll suit, but not if you want a bit of craic

fishy fishy · 06-11-2013 12:50pm

dinneenp wrote: »

Like I mentioned earlier why not Ashford Castle?
If you're hiring a limo (for the evening?) you'll get a good length of time in it on the trip there.
Dining is very swanky- http://www.ashford.ie/fine-dining-ireland.html

wouldn't agree.

fishy fishy · 06-11-2013 12:52pm

swe_fi wrote: »

Hi

While i don't necessarily agree with your selection criteria , I have a suggestion that I am pretty sure that you both will enjoy and should impress.

The closest to your specific requirement is, in my opinion, The West Restaurant in the Twelve Hotel out in Barna. It is only 10 mins from Salthill so well within taxi range. I ate there 2 months ago and can thoroughly recommend it. It is fine dining (and taste), pretty exclusive and not hugely expensive for what it is. Staff are great too, and the bar part is nice to lounge in before the meal.

http://www.thetwelvehotel.ie/west-restaurant-menu

Come to think of it, I have to admit I actually brought people here before to impress - not for the same reasons as you probably - and they were impressed.

ate there - one of the most non-atmospheric places i have ever eaten in. Stick to downstairs if you are at the Twelve hotel.

pleasant Co. · 06-11-2013 3:40pm

Fishy fishy, please stick to recommendations rather than anti-recommendations, if you can't do that then just don't post, this isn't a new thing and has been mentioned to you in past threads so please listen this time.

Neyite · 06-11-2013 5:30pm

Raw in the Radisson?

Its sushi, but I could see a limo rock up there. Nice views too.

IS_a_Class · 06-11-2013 5:53pm

How about Padraicins in Furbo, nice beach to walk on, and recently won lots of awards. While not exactly posh, its location is pretty classy

inisboffin · 06-11-2013 5:56pm

We've kinda named every type of place there is to eat on here!
OP did mention food quality was not as important as 'glitz' factor. By that I took it to mean flash, not necessarily high food standard. But everyone will have a different interpretation of this.
OP did you pick somewhere? If not can you give us a 'similar to...' that might narrow down suggestions

wolf99 · 26-11-2014 4:24pm

To revive an old thread! Thanks for all the suggestions folks, I keep referring back to this thread quite often looking for venue ideas!

I ended up with the G at the time and was pleasantly surprised with the food and the service as the staff were very helpful.

It was for a particular type of an occasion so, the "flash" was as an important part as the food quality and it didn't disappoint on that score either

for Cordon Bleu there are better places but the two steaks were still pretty daycent!

tmh106 · 27-11-2014 5:59pm

Purely out of curiosity on my part, what was the occasion, if you can share? If I want to impress someone with a restaurant selection, the food would always be the first priority. I think people will remember exceptional food far longer than they will the glitz factor (unless you have a restaurant with a truly spectacular location, such as the one atop the Eiffel tower).

tmh

wolf99 · 27-11-2014 6:22pm

Was just treating a good friend to something a bit different. It went down well for the most part, went for drinks in town after with some more friends and had a good time. For the cost it wasn't exceptional but it was decent and good service. Cocktails there were pretty tasty too. That was a year or so ago now though.

There are other places in galway that would prob be better again on the food front such as kai or loam or the restaurant at nimmos, or cava or ard bia etc etc. A great tip a came across since is to get to know some of the farm suppliers for places you already like and theyll direct you to other places they either supply or known through the trade to be good bets.

Reading back I'm gutted to hear Martines appears to have gone downhilldownhill as it was one of my firm faves when I lived there a few years ago.

Best restaurant - must be posh

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