The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

Milly33 · 22-10-2014 1:35pm

Cough cough cough mmmm like that's my name!!! Was like WTF happened there but tis ok

MrFrisp · 22-10-2014 2:06pm

Milly33 wrote: »

Cough cough cough mmmm like that's my name!!! Was like WTF happened there but tis ok

Someone trying to clone you...lol
.

pwurple · 22-10-2014 2:44pm

MillyD123 wrote: »

Hi guys,

We're visiting Cork next week and looking for somewhere child friendly to eat - any recommendations ? We used to go to the Chinese restaurant in Patrick Street (over H Samuels I think ?) Is this place still good ?

Thanks in advance !

PS planning on visiting Foto and Cobh - any tips for things to do if its raining ? Kids are 2 6 & 8.

Yuan ming yuan is the best chinese for us, indians.... iyers is my fav, but I don't think it's suitable for a family. very small.

The blackrock castle is my children's favourite place to eat. The castle has a science museum / observatory in it, which would be good for the rain, and the restaurant is great. the childrens menu comes with colouring pens, puzzles and their menu is fantastic for kids. Icecream snowman is adorable. scoops of icecream on a brownie, with bisuits for arms and a meringue hat. Menu, location and photos etc here:
http://www.castlecafe.ie/

Milly33 · 22-10-2014 2:51pm

MrFrisp wrote: »

Someone trying to clone you...lol
.

Shocked and delighted all at once.. haha

it isn't a Chinese but Scoozis in town would be quite kid friendly

byronbay2 · 22-10-2014 3:45pm

MillyD123 wrote: »

Hi guys,

We're visiting Cork next week and looking for somewhere child friendly to eat - any recommendations? Kids are 2 6 & 8.

With children of that age, I would recommend Milano on Oliver Plunkett Street. Very child friendly with an excellent (and great value) children's menu. There are always special offers on their website:

http://www.milanooffers.ie/

I, personally, would not fancy bringing children of that age to a "good" restaurant as I would feel under pressure for them to be well-behaved (which the Bays invariably are not, the rascals!) and have not enjoyed meals in the past because of this. Obviously, if your children are compliant (French-style) your options become wider; even so, they might enjoy the hustle and bustle of Milano where they can "people watch" all the other children and have the craic!

Edit: Just noticed that you specified Indian/Thai/Chinese - ignore the above post.

Loire · 22-10-2014 4:18pm

byronbay2 wrote: »

With children of that age, I would recommend Milano on Oliver Plunkett Street. Very child friendly with an excellent (and great value) children's menu.

+1 - great place to bring the kids, esp down the back.

Faith · 22-10-2014 6:04pm

pwurple wrote: »

Back on-topic, has anyone been to Bunnyconnellans lately? Someone has given us a groupon they can't use... wondering is it worth the trip, or should I regift.

I ate lunch there over the summer. It's been a few months, but I seem to remember it being quite nice. Worth the visit if you have a groupon for sure, I'd say.

pwurple · 22-10-2014 8:25pm

Loire wrote: »

+1 - great place to bring the kids, esp down the back.

Really disagree with milanos being good for kids. I find it dirty, noisy and overpriced junk food. It's the pizza express chain, about one step up from McDonald's.

Ludo · 22-10-2014 8:54pm

pwurple wrote: »

Really disagree with milanos being good for kids. I find it dirty, noisy and overpriced junk food. It's the pizza express chain, about one step up from McDonald's.

Gotta agree. My kids love pasta and would eat it every day if let but they hate the pasta in Milanos. Wouldn't blame them. They are 6 and know crap pasta when they get it. It is horrible. Plenty of restaurants are good for kids...these days they have to be to survive.

Dave147 · 22-10-2014 11:10pm

Ludo wrote: »

Gotta agree. My kids love pasta and would eat it every day if let but they hate the pasta in Milanos. Wouldn't blame them. They are 6 and know crap pasta when they get it. It is horrible. Plenty of restaurants are good for kids...these days they have to be to survive.

Can't recommend the Pollo al Marsala with Tagliatelle in Ristorante Del Arte in Mahon Point enough, absolutely amazing dish!

Loire · 23-10-2014 9:30am

pwurple wrote: »

Really disagree with milanos being good for kids. I find it dirty, noisy and overpriced junk food. It's the pizza express chain, about one step up from McDonald's.

I bring ours there for a treat - perhaps every 3 months or so. Wouldn't dream of bringing them there regularly. It's just a fun place to go for a treat.

northgirl · 23-10-2014 9:37am

Loire wrote: »

Mrs. Loire went to Greene's last weekend and raved about it - nice to see somewhere going as long as they have been to remain trumps.

Heading to Orso tonight for a bite - anyone been & anything to recommend?

Thanks,
Loire.

How did you find Orso Loire?

Bacchus · 23-10-2014 10:25am

pwurple wrote: »

Really disagree with milanos being good for kids. I find it dirty, noisy and overpriced junk food. It's the pizza express chain, about one step up from McDonald's.

All it's good for as far as I can tell is that you can let your kids run riot without a care. I went there once and it was manic with kids screaming and running around. It's a really echo-y restaurant too with the high ceiling so it's been in a school canteen with kids running around.

MillyD123 · 23-10-2014 12:09pm

Thanks so much everyone. Looking forward to our visit :-)

byronbay2 · 23-10-2014 2:53pm

pwurple wrote: »

Really disagree with milanos being good for kids. I find it dirty, noisy and overpriced junk food. It's the pizza express chain, about one step up from McDonald's.

It is certainly noisier than most restaurants but that is because there are a lot of children there - I don't know what you suggest the management do about that. Similarly, it gets dirty because children tend not to take the same care as adults - the staff keep the place as clean as possible, in my experience.
If you go to Milano without a voucher or discount code, it can be quite expensive but very few people do that (see post #1597 on this thread). Assuming you have a voucher/discount, the restaurant is excellent value - particularly for children's meals.
Milano is no more junk food than any pizzeria in the city.

Ludo wrote: »

Gotta agree. My kids love pasta and would eat it every day if let but they hate the pasta in Milanos. Wouldn't blame them. They are 6 and know crap pasta when they get it. It is horrible. Plenty of restaurants are good for kids...these days they have to be to survive.

There is nothing wrong with the pasta in Milano. Just because it tastes different to the pasta your children get at home does not make it "horrible". You are making the common mistake of posting an opinion as a fact.

Bacchus wrote: »

All it's good for as far as I can tell is that you can let your kids run riot without a care. I went there once and it was manic with kids screaming and running around. It's a really echo-y restaurant too with the high ceiling so it's been in a school canteen with kids running around.

Complete exaggeration, in my opinion. Obviously, it may have been true on the one occasion you were there but is not the norm. Certainly, there tends to be lots of children there but I have never encountered the mayhem you are expressing. There is no screaming and the only traffic is children going to the toilet - they tend to move faster than adults and generally go in groups. The volume is definitely louder than other restaurants but that is because it is generally full and a large proportion (much larger than any other restaurant) of the customers are children, who tend to be quite loud.

I don't want to come across as a spokesperson for Milano but it appeals to a certain demographic (families with children aged 4 -12) and does a good job of giving them an enjoyable restaurant experience. Yes, it is noisy. Yes, there are children moving around. I would never in a million years bring my wife for a romantic meal there or advise friends to go there, unless they were bringing children aged 4 - 12. As I said in my original post, you can go there with your children and not worry about them ruining other people's (and your) meals by speaking at their usual volume, making a mess on the table etc. It's an inexpensive, fun place to go and my children always choose it for their "treat" meals (birthday, communion etc.) so they must be doing something right!

Loire · 23-10-2014 3:50pm

northgirl wrote: »

How did you find Orso Loire?

Never made it in - kinda just crashed in front of the tele

Heading out Sat night though so might try it then..

pwurple · 23-10-2014 3:56pm

I know what you mean byronbay2, but for a visitor to the city, they can go to a mcdonalds or a pizza express chain anywhere really... that's all.

Cork has places that are local, rather than foreign chains, which are very accomodating for children, which I think would be much nicer for someone visiting for a weekend.

Needing a voucher for it to be reasonable is likely to annoy a visitor, who to be fair, is not going to have this inside knowledge in advance. Where do you get those vouchers? Is it the paper or something?

evilivor · 23-10-2014 4:04pm

pwurple wrote: »

Needing a voucher for it to be reasonable is likely to annoy a visitor, who to be fair, is not going to have this inside knowledge in advance. Where do you get those vouchers? Is it the paper or something?

You can sign up on their website and they will spam the heck out of you very occasionally send you a voucher.

Ludo · 23-10-2014 4:26pm

byronbay2 wrote: »

There is nothing wrong with the pasta in Milano. Just because it tastes different to the pasta your children get at home does not make it "horrible". You are making the common mistake of posting an opinion as a fact.

LOL. Just like you did by stating the is nothing wrong with it. In my opinion obviously there is. In yours there isn't. Nothing in this thread is fact... All opinions. That kinda goes without saying really when discussing restaurants.

byronbay2 · 23-10-2014 4:40pm

pwurple wrote: »

I know what you mean byronbay2, but for a visitor to the city, they can go to a mcdonalds or a pizza express chain anywhere really... that's all.

Cork has places that are local, rather than foreign chains, which are very accomodating for children, which I think would be much nicer for someone visiting for a weekend.

Needing a voucher for it to be reasonable is likely to annoy a visitor, who to be fair, is not going to have this inside knowledge in advance. Where do you get those vouchers? Is it the paper or something?

Agreed. I would be fairly cheesed off if I rocked up to Milano during a romantic weekend away in Cork to celebrate my 50th wedding anniversary (or whatever) and had to sit in a restaurant full of raucous tweenies for 2 hours while paying €15 for a pizza, €7 for a dessert and €25 for a bottle of ordinary wine! However, once you know the lay of the land and have your children and vouchers in tow, you can have a fun meal, that everyone enjoys, for a reasonable price.

Regarding the vouchers: As evilivor says, sign up on the website and they'll email you vouchers and special offers every couple of weeks. I think the current offer is 2 courses (starter + main or main + dessert) for €13. This is excellent value, although the desserts have gotten smaller in the past couple of years. There was a time when 1 dessert would do for 2 people but not any more

If you happen to shop in Tesco, there is a superb deal whereby €10 of Tesco vouchers gets you €40 of Milano vouchers. This is the voucher we generally use.

Nonoperational · 23-10-2014 4:43pm

pwurple wrote: »

Really disagree with milanos being good for kids. I find it dirty, noisy and overpriced junk food. It's the pizza express chain, about one step up from McDonald's.

It's not junk food at all imo.

Bacchus · 23-10-2014 8:41pm

byronbay2 wrote: »

Complete exaggeration, in my opinion. Obviously, it may have been true on the one occasion you were there but is not the norm. Certainly, there tends to be lots of children there but I have never encountered the mayhem you are expressing.

Not a word of an exaggeration. It may not be the norm but it was my experience. Several kids were running amok around the place. Two tables with kids at them made friends and the parents seemed happy to let them entertain themselves. Staff didn't seem to care either. Service was crazy slow too which made things worse.

Loire · 24-10-2014 2:20pm

byronbay2 wrote: »

Agreed. I would be fairly cheesed off if I rocked up to Milano during a romantic weekend away in Cork to celebrate my 50th wedding anniversary

I know times are tough n'all but...;):pac:

SusieBlue · 24-10-2014 8:42pm

Had a beautiful meal in The Boardwalk last week. Hadn't been there in years and was very unimpressed on my last visit so I'd avoided the place for the last 3-4 years. Had a great experience this time.

The interior is stunning, we went at about 6pm and the lights on the window were beautiful and cosy in the evening light.

We ate in the bar, The food was delicious. I had the chicken wings which were the perfect portion size, the pasta which was very tasty and fresh and the cheesecake which was possibly one of the nicest desserts I've ever had. Everything about the food was fresh and of a very high standard.

Service was excellent. Professional, prompt and friendly which entices me to return even further.

In all, I can see the place becoming a firm favourite which is funny because I had completely written the place off over my precious experiences.

No idea what they've changed but it certainly worked. Such a cosy, enthralling setting with great food and lovely staff. Very impressed!

nerwen · 25-10-2014 12:46am

WhiteRoses wrote: »

Had a beautiful meal in The Boardwalk last week.

Actually went tonight and definitely agree with being impressed! There was a wedding party taking up half the room so it was a bit louder than usual, but it didn't bother my friends and I.

Had a glorious medium rare ribeye and they had the little pots of shared sides as usual, this time the potatoes were a gratin (dauphine? not sure about this one; sliced potatoes in cream and garlic with a small amount of cheese and baked in the oven) that blew my socks off. I love potatoes this way, but this... I ate a whole pot full (we got 2 pots for a table of 5). My friends thought I had finally gone the way of the crazies.

For dessert my friends all had the galaxy caramel cheesecake and words like "spiritual experience" were thrown around. For myself, being a non-cheesecake person, I had the taster mini dessert which was a lemony concoction that the waitress described as a mousse-like sorbet but it was more of a firm custard texture. It was really nice and refreshing as well as smooth though, so no complaints here!

TL;DR: Nom. Would eat again.

.red. · 25-10-2014 9:42am

Theres a voucher on GRABONE at the moment for the boardwalk. €32 for 2 starters and 2 mains.
Handy for anyone reading the above reviews and thinking of going in. Use it mon-fri for the bar menu and the only restriction is you cant have the large wings as a starter.
Good value me thinks!

leahyl · 25-10-2014 9:43am

I'm amazed by the good reviews about the Boardwalk because the few times I've been there the food has been extremely 'meh' - must definitely give it another try!

Faith · 25-10-2014 3:01pm

I actually ate in the boardwalk last Christmas and was pleasantly surprised. I thought it was an anomaly, but it sounds like they have upped their game again.

bee06 · 25-10-2014 9:26pm

Went to The Broadwalk this evening after the recommendations here and it was really good. Himself had the chicken curry and said it was one of the best currys he's ever had. I had fish and chips and it was really nice. Crispy batter, nicely cooked fish and chips. The staff were lovely as well. We thought we'd be waiting for a while because of the Jazz and the place being jammers but service was really good.

leahyl · 26-10-2014 12:09pm

Went to aroi on careys lane yesterday evening and the place was jammers, it was really nice even though I probably wouldn't order what I had again (but that was due to personal taste as it was a bit too spicy for me) but it was tasty none the less and a big portion for only a tenner! Got a glass of white wine too so the whole thing was 15e. Great value and would definitely go back and try something else on the menu

pwurple · 26-10-2014 12:34pm

What did you get leahyl, I love spicy food, the hotter the better.

Ludo · 26-10-2014 12:54pm

I was in Aroi last evening also. Jam packed as said earlier but still great service. Lovely food also. 2 of us had a main each one side between us and a beer each 35 euro. Fantastic. Will definitely go back.

the beer revolu · 26-10-2014 1:27pm

I really hope Aroi can maintain the quality and price. I think the place is fantastic and, it seems, so does everyone else!
(that unusual combination of being extremely popular and actually good)

leahyl · 26-10-2014 1:36pm

pwurple wrote: »

What did you get leahyl, I love spicy food, the hotter the better.

Got the green vegetable curry - to be fair I probably should have known that it would be a bit spicy (green curries usually are..!) but I've actually never had a green curry so I thought maybe it wouldn't be THAT spicy but it sort of was for me - but not so spicy that you couldn't taste the flavours though!

You probably wouldn't find it very spicy at all pwurple :-P

ABajaninCork · 26-10-2014 1:43pm

Do what I do and ask for extra chillies! Was in there Friday for lunch and ordered the crabmeat fried rice. The chef came out with three bowls of chillies -pickled, dressed with fish sauce and dried. Delicious!!

Oh -and I put a little of the table chilli sauce on the rice too. Nom, nom, nom....

bee06 · 26-10-2014 1:55pm

Hopefully going to go to Aroi this evening after all the great recommendations! Can't wait!

leahyl · 26-10-2014 1:55pm

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Do what I do and ask for extra chillies! Was in there Friday for lunch and ordered the crabmeat fried rice. The chef came out with three bowls of chillies -pickled, dressed with fish sauce and dried. Delicious!!

Oh -and I put a little of the table chilli sauce on the rice too. Nom, nom, nom....

The hot chili sauce??!! :-O

ABajaninCork · 26-10-2014 2:04pm

leahyl wrote: »

The hot chili sauce??!! :-O

Yep.

pwurple · 26-10-2014 8:36pm

Heh, yeah, I've had the green curry there, and didn't think it was mad hot at the time, but I was after a few pints, so that numbs the tastebuds a bit. The tom yam soup was hotter, so avoid that if you don't like the chillis!

Good plan abanjaincork... Will defo do that next time I can get in.

bee06 · 27-10-2014 12:26pm

Tried Aroi last night and loved it. I had the chargrilled chicken with cucumber salad and it was very nice. I don't like things too spicy but this had a nice zing with the cucumbers cooling things down. My husband had the creamy noodle soup and loved that too and we had the duck rolls as a side. The portions were huge so for the price it's such good value! The staff were lovely bs friendly as well. Really hope it continues to do well and sticks around!

Lia_lia · 27-10-2014 8:19pm

leahyl wrote: »

Got the green vegetable curry - to be fair I probably should have known that it would be a bit spicy (green curries usually are..!) but I've actually never had a green curry so I thought maybe it wouldn't be THAT spicy but it sort of was for me - but not so spicy that you couldn't taste the flavours though!

I got that and wasn't very impressed tbh. I didn't really like the mushrooms, I think that was it

The staff are so nice though! I must go again and try something else.

black_magic · 27-10-2014 8:32pm

Hi all. I've recently moved to Cork and I haven't eaten out anywhere yet. My mum is visiting me tomorrow, and I want to bring her out somewhere nice for lunch. It doesn't have to be anywhere fancy, just a nice experience and good food. Any recommendations would be much appreciated. ðŸ˜

ABajaninCork · 27-10-2014 8:35pm

Market Lane. Can't go wrong there.

pwurple · 27-10-2014 9:07pm

black_magic wrote: »

Hi all. I've recently moved to Cork and I haven't eaten out anywhere yet. My mum is visiting me tomorrow, and I want to bring her out somewhere nice for lunch. It doesn't have to be anywhere fancy, just a nice experience and good food. Any recommendations would be much appreciated. ðŸ˜

Yup, market lane and the castle cafe are fairly reliable for lunch.

bee06 · 27-10-2014 9:31pm

black_magic wrote: »

Hi all. I've recently moved to Cork and I haven't eaten out anywhere yet. My mum is visiting me tomorrow, and I want to bring her out somewhere nice for lunch. It doesn't have to be anywhere fancy, just a nice experience and good food. Any recommendations would be much appreciated. ðŸ˜

I really like the Farmgate Cafe upstairs in the English Market for lunch. Yummy food and great for people watching it you get one of the seats that looks down to the ground floor. Took my mother in law there a few months ago when she was in Cork for the day and she loved it.

gimmick · 28-10-2014 1:06am

Was in Aroi earlier. Really really poor. Awful service and bad food. Staff was awful too. Won't go again.

ABajaninCork · 28-10-2014 1:12am

gimmick wrote: »

Was in Aroi earlier. Really really poor. Awful service and bad food. Staff was awful too. Won't go again.

Eh? What happened??

gimmick · 28-10-2014 1:32am

The food was poor and the service was shîte!!

ABajaninCork · 28-10-2014 1:49am

I get that you thought the food was poor. In what way - What did you order?? Bit confused as I've had two great meals in there and the service was pretty prompt. But then I went in for lunch both times...

gimmick · 28-10-2014 1:57am

Some beef effort. Basically some meat on loads of onion and peas.

We were sat waiting to be served for about 20 minutes. Literally standing up to walk out when our order was taken. Luke warm food was with us within 2 minutes. Slow service and fast food is a terrible combo.

Once done we wanted some ice cream. I had to go to the counter to ask anid was told someone would be over. 5 minutes later someone came over. It took another 5-6 minutes for a spoonful of ice cream to arrive.

Asked for the bill and were told to queue at the counter.

Dreadful.

The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

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