Waterford City Restaurants (2010 - Present)

Trotter · 22-02-2010 10:23pm #1

With so many threads popping up about eating out in Waterford, and requests for nice places to go, I figured it might be an idea to have a thread that brings together up to date information about the best of Waterford Restaurants this year. Its a tough time to be running a restaurant or cafe I imagine, but theres a few out there that are still doing a great job.

Personally, I've been to Bodega twice with my wife for early bird in the last few weeks. I had the burger for main course and the chocolate & raspberry dessert. The service was excellent and there was a lovely atmosphere in there. It didn't cost the world either. We kept it to two courses each and with a drink each also came out with change from €50. No complaints here!!

boniver · 22-02-2010 10:52pm

L'atmosphere continues to offer really good cooking at amazing value. If anything I would say that the cooking there has become even stronger recently. That early bird for €20 with a glass of wine cannot be beaten.

J-Fit · 22-02-2010 10:56pm

Get your asses into La Taverna. It's awesome.

JPA · 22-02-2010 11:02pm

Had the early bird in La Palma not too long ago.
Best steak I've had for a long time.:)

Rainbow_brite · 22-02-2010 11:06pm

J-Fit wrote: »

Get your asses into La Taverna. It's awesome.

+1 €5 for half a pizza and salad during lunch hour - can't go wrong

Trotter · 22-02-2010 11:09pm

boniver wrote: »

L'atmosphere continues to offer really good cooking at amazing value. If anything I would say that the cooking there has become even stronger recently. That early bird for €20 with a glass of wine cannot be beaten.

J-Fit wrote: »

Get your asses into La Taverna. It's awesome.

Any personal experiences though?

I agree about La Taverna alright. I havent had pizza like it anywhere in Ireland. The craic with the Italian lads who run it is brilliant. Where else would you have the chef sitting at the table with you explaining how to make the best carbonara

The pizza there is lovely. It seems to be a stone oven and the pizzas are really thin. They give them to you on a bread board with a metal scissors. Its a nice experience in there.

J-Fit · 23-02-2010 12:02am

Trotter wrote: »

Any personal experiences though?

Yep and it was exactly how you described. No more really needs to be said, if you like Italian and all that, just be slightly adventurous and go!

Aquos76 · 23-02-2010 12:11am

Good idea for a thread, but if there is anyone coming on to slate a particular establishment just for the sake of it, you post will be deleted.

I am all for honest reviews either good or bad, but if you are going to be critical of somewhere, you better be able to back up with actual facts rather that something you heard from somewhere else.

Also, if a particular place does get bad reviews, it might be an option if there is someone connected to the venue registered on boards to come on and address any issues raised, however this is not an invitation to come on and spam your business.

gscully · 23-02-2010 11:44am

Aquos76 wrote: »

Good idea for a thread, but if there is anyone coming on to slate a particular establishment just for the sake of it, you post will be deleted.

I am all for honest reviews either good or bad, but if you are going to be critical of somewhere, you better be able to back up with actual facts rather that something you heard from somewhere else.

Also, if a particular place does get bad reviews, it might be an option if there is someone connected to the venue registered on boards to come on and address any issues raised, however this is not an invitation to come on and spam your business.

It might also be a good idea to provide links to menus wherever possible...

jonnycwh · 24-02-2010 6:27pm

where is good and affordable if you lunch alone? i always end up eating ****e at lunch time cause i don't want to take up tables at the fancier cafes etc.

MaxCharlie · 24-02-2010 9:39pm

Halfway house (between Waterford City and Tramore) offer €5 dinner daily special (fish pie one day, lasagne next, shepherds pie the next etc ) - could not go wrong if you want dinner during the day that won't break the bank

kayaksurfbum · 26-02-2010 9:21pm

Cafe Goa, just had the most amazing meal there. Great value too. They gave us nam breads but we were to stuffed to eat them so they didn't charge us, wrapped them up and told us to Bring them home! That was pretty sound, but me being stupid I left them on the table when we left. While we were walking back down the quay to the car one of the waiters came running down after us! He didn't catch us till near the genral post office! He was wrecked! But what service eh? Ten out of ten for goa.

Straycat · 27-02-2010 9:44pm

becketts (formally orpens) are doing a four course meal including a bottle of wine for €55 a couple. as a veggie i had mushroom bruschetta, and pasta with veg in a creamy garlic sauce, most devine (and i am fussy!!!) dh had seafood chowder, and steak, and cleared the plate. great value, fab helpful staff and good food. i really recommend it for a satisifying night out.

kilkennygirl · 28-02-2010 7:04pm

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Emilinaos Italian Reataurant in High Street. Was there last night for the early bird. Food wonderful, best athmosphere in town, even Giovani Trappatoni ate there. Go on give it a go. You have to book though.

deisemum · 01-03-2010 9:11pm

Wongsons formerly Johnny Fan's have an "all you can eat" for €20 offer.

Chez K's have an offer, 4 course meal and bottle of wine for 2 people €55 which I'll be trying later this week.

just2 · 02-03-2010 7:00pm

I agree re. the food in Bodega that it is good but as for manners & courtesy....they have NONE. Really it costs nothing. I just called them now enquiring "do you do lunch on Sunday's"...the response was "no we don't do lunch here, but we do it ourselves"....???? I paused not knowing quite what he meant, he then repeated himself and added in "we do have to eat lunch ourselves"!!! WHAT.... I couldn't believe it....how rude was that. I didn't see the funny side at all. Have a booking there for Fri. night coming and am cancelling it. Will also NOT be returning & will continue to spread the word about BODEGA'S RUDENESS:mad:

janisjoplin · 02-03-2010 7:51pm

afaik limeleaf in henrietta street are still doing their 59euro special,four course meal with a bottle of wine per couple,its not a great choice on the menu but the food is fantastic and the service is brill have been there a few times and would highly recommend

deisemum · 04-03-2010 12:33am

I'm just back from Chez K's, it was lovely.

THEIRISHMOB · 16-03-2010 5:53pm

Please post your Saint Patrick's day lunch/dinner experences here...

dashboard_hula · 16-03-2010 11:18pm

I eat @ Cafe Harlequin about once a fortnight, and its a mix of eat in and take the food home. I've never been disappointed, it's a tiny menu, but it's all good proper Italian food, made by 2 (hot) Italian guys, and you always feel like you've eaten a good for you meal, even if it's in silver boxes!

I highly recommend the mascarpone chicken and the tortelloni - and the vegetable mix they put through the pasta dishes is just lovely.

kryogen · 17-03-2010 2:22am

re the complaints made about Bodega, first i have heard of bad service there tbh

is the place on the slide? Frank, the guy who used to run the place now has his own place "Berfranks"

havent been there since, has it gone bad since he left? he was excellent at his job

JPA · 17-03-2010 12:35pm

I was in Bodega a couple of months ago, thought it was excellent.

sparkling sea · 27-03-2010 9:33pm

La Boheme is really lovely, food, atmosphere, service, all great - it is however very expersive, so it would have to be a really special occasion.

La Taverna is also good and not to hard on the pocket.

Emillianos used to be my favourite but I wouldn't recommend it anymore, food is still good but the tables are on top of each other. Having to move your chair to let waiters past soon becomes tiring.

Waterford Castle is also fantastic but again its really expensive.

kilkennygirl · 27-03-2010 10:18pm

Having given up on Dooleys hotel years ago, we decided to go there on Patricks night for dinner. What great value it turned out to be. €19.95 for a 4 course traditional dinner. Good menu, well presented tasty food. Wine priced €19.95 upwards. Great service. Excellent value

zipzoc · 05-04-2010 12:35am

Any Japanese or Korean restaurants?

Trotter · 05-04-2010 12:39am

The New York Burger place at the park is after adding a good few things to the menu. I had the chicken wings the other night, and some onion rings. Both were lovely. There's a steak sandwich on the menu too that I need to assess purely for the good of this thread. I'm good that way.

heratio · 05-04-2010 10:23am

Went Saturday nite with family to La Taverna after reading the posts here. Was not impressed overpriced meals for cheap cuts of meat from starter to dessert i was in complete shock at the quality of the meals. Think i was giving a bottle of vingear instead of house wine, would not waste my money again............:(

Psychedelic · 05-04-2010 2:58pm

Pizzas are lovely in La Tarverna. I was only in there twice but both times I asked for a glass of water the water was warm. First time I was there I got a half pizza (half a 12 inch) and it cost €6.50. I thought a full 12 inch would be €13 but it cost €14.50.

Pizzas in Espresso are also lovely, 9 inch pizza costs about €10 depending on the amount of toppings. Service is excellent.

south · 05-04-2010 3:09pm

heratio wrote: »

Went Saturday nite with family to La Taverna after reading the posts here. Was not impressed overpriced meals for cheap cuts of meat from starter to dessert i was in complete shock at the quality of the meals. Think i was giving a bottle of vingear instead of house wine, would not waste my money again............:(

didn't think much of it myself. coldest place i have ever had a meal in. cheap beef used in the meal i had to.

heratio · 05-04-2010 3:44pm

Psychedelic wrote: »

Pizzas are lovely in La Tarverna. I was only in there twice but both times I asked for a glass of water the water was warm. First time I was there I got a half pizza (half a 12 inch) and it cost €6.50. I thought a full 12 inch would be €13 but it cost €14.50.

Pizzas in Espresso are also lovely, 9 inch pizza costs about €10 depending on the amount of toppings. Service is excellent.

Agree totaly with Espresso food was nice it reflected the price, service was great. Ginos in the apple market was always a good place to go have not been there in a while might try it this weekend ice cream was heaven there.....

heratio · 05-04-2010 3:47pm

south wrote: »

didn't think much of it myself. coldest place i have ever had a meal in. cheap beef used in the meal i had to.

Scarry to think where the meat is from :eek:

Trotter · 05-04-2010 4:01pm

If I was after a meat dish, I wouldn't really try an Italian. I think its a bit much to be scared about where meat comes from in any restaurant in Waterford anyway. Regardless, I can't find anywhere in Waterford that does pizza like la Taverna. I love it. I agree though that it can sometimes be a bit cold in there, but I've noticed this in a few restaurants lately.

JPA · 05-04-2010 5:12pm

Trotter wrote: »

The New York Burger place at the park is after adding a good few things to the menu. I had the chicken wings the other night, and some onion rings. Both were lovely. There's a steak sandwich on the menu too that I need to assess purely for the good of this thread. I'm good that way.

That place is a real hidden gem, no doubt the best burgers in the city.

Leo Demidov · 05-04-2010 5:25pm

Went for the wine and dine in The Tower recently. Very nice house white, but the food and service was poor. We had starter, main, dessert, coffee and a bottle of wine in 55 minutes, fast food was not the word for it!

Starters were salty and less than fresh.

Mains were bland and unseasoned.

Desserts were good, with a savage pot of decent coffee. Pity the rest of it didn't meet this standard.

We weren't expecting first class but I'm sure theres better value to had for your sixty quid.

spadesaspade · 05-04-2010 7:06pm

walking down to the park with the family last sunday and saw this place down canada street. Ended up poping in for lunch. Results, service was excellent, food was amazingly presented and delicious and price was very good. Will be recommending it to others..

spadesaspade · 05-04-2010 7:08pm

tower is sh£t just like all them large hotels who just want to get you in and out asap

Leo Demidov · 07-04-2010 11:24pm

Faithlegg. Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!(not quite the city, but excellent none the less)

Dreams aloud · 09-04-2010 3:46pm

Hey i kno this is a little off thread but does anyone know the phone number for the chinese above the uluru because can't find it anywhere! (golden pages, online, etc) Also the food still as nice as it used to be previously? Just if anyone can help i'd appreciate it.

Also to in reply to the actual thread, always find bodega great for an evening meal, been there twice this year & couldn't really fault anything, fish dishes are especially good. Also in Tramore the Banyan restaurant is great, lovely decor & fab food, definately worth a try if your looking for something a bit different. Again for a special occasion, the mill house in kilmacow is great for a meal in a beautiful country house with surrounding gardens.

Hifive · 09-04-2010 5:17pm

I think the Chinese above the Uluru is called "Fan dynasty" and while I haven't tried it in months, the phone number use to be 051856902

Dreams aloud · 09-04-2010 6:04pm

Thanks Hifive, that's great.

mariemarie · 20-04-2010 9:17pm

Had a lovely pizza and salad in Bellasimo recently..... it was delicious..:)
and reasonably priced... Dont mind paying as long as the food is good...

dermo909 · 23-04-2010 9:02am

I've only just discovered this thread so I'll add my experiences of the various places around town.

La boheme: Fantastic place, its really worth going there. Food is very high quality, easily on par with fine dining. Without the cost.

Bodega: Was very poor. Myself and my gf both had sirloin steak for mains and it was very poor quality. Full of gristle and overdone. Overdone is something I can let slide but bad quality meat is unforgiveable. One of my friends had a game pie which was tasty enough but too reduced so it had become very salty. Everything else was just ok. Seems like its been run by accountants and not by the chef. Wont be going back again.

La'Athmosphere: Lovely, really intimate and the food is fantastic. Good value too.

Waterford castle: Fine dining at its best but is priced accordingly. The piano player in the corner was a little too loud though(both times I was there)

3 shippes: For pub fare its ok. I only really eat there on sundays and its after going downhill in the last couple of years. I have a feeling that the menu is being dictated by the owner and not the chef. Recession is really hitting there, I would'nt be surprised if the place closes.

halfway house: it ok once again for pub grub. 5 quid a dinner is fantastic.

Dooleys: I had varvery and it was lovely, nice and fresh and hot. I was there at 1pm though so the food did'nt have time to go cold.

Uluru: Poor menu but its coooked well. I've eaten there a good few times and have had everything on the menu. Once again I think the owner/manager should give the chef more leeway. The free food on various nights is good though

mozattack · 25-04-2010 8:51am

I went to Cliff House last summer and couldn't have been more impressed. It was two weeks after I had went to Chapter One and following the meal I commented on how it deserved a Michelin Star - low and behold, 2 months later it was awarded.

Anyway the point is...

When we visited we went on a Sat night and it wasn't very full. We said we would go again in the Summer instead of A Taste of Dublin and tried booking twice. We were told that because we weren't staying they couldn't offer us a table. I was shocked about this, even proposed moving out to July. They said that wasn't the point, if I wasn't staying I couldn't book a table and couldn't only be put on the waiting list. I would then be told not 1 month, not 1 week, not 3 days, but the night before if I had a seat there!!

I think this is a disgrace. She asked me I would stay and I said it wasn't an option* so I couldn't proceed with the booking. It is typical, one top restaurant around and you would have to remortgage for one night to get there. They must be doing well if they can turn down €160 - €180 from us for the meal and drinks!!!!!!!

(I am going to the Old Convent instead)

* the cheapest room there is €220. Yes its 5 star but there is nothing in Ardmore and it is only a bed to lie in after all. Remember would be in the restaurant and bar for the night so paying €220 to lie down is not for me. To add context, staying in the 5 star Radisson Edwardian in Manchester for €101 for the night.

mozattack · 25-04-2010 8:52am

Anyone visit Old Convent yet?...comments

flan59 · 30-04-2010 10:57pm

Not exactly a review but, I believe the old Poppys at the park , whatever its called now, is reopening as yet another ChipShop, with sit down area, being taken over by a local.

itsonlywords · 30-04-2010 11:56pm

flan59 wrote: »

Not exactly a review but, I believe the old Poppys at the park , whatever its called now, is reopening as yet another ChipShop, with sit down area, being taken over by a local.

Whaaat? A Nigerian man taking over the chipper?

south · 01-05-2010 9:27am

flan59 wrote: »

Not exactly a review but, I believe the old Poppys at the park , whatever its called now, is reopening as yet another ChipShop, with sit down area, being taken over by a local.

I heard dooleys from tramore are opening it

itsonlywords · 01-05-2010 11:33am

south wrote: »

I heard dooleys from tramore are opening it

Well that will be good. Doolys have an excellent taste and is so clean. I would welcome them.

bitemybanger · 05-05-2010 1:06am

In Waterford now for a break, can somone recommend a good sea food resturant?

deisemum · 11-05-2010 12:06am

I went to Bodega last week with friends, not my choice. It was only average and expensive for what I got. I wouldn't mind the cost if it was something special but it was nothing to write home about.

On a side note to do with Waterford restaurants well they must be recession proof and packed to the gills and not looking for business. My son is making his confirmation this coming weekend so in my quest to book a restaurant for ourselves and extended family I emailed a number of establishments re confirmation lunches and only one place bothered to reply.

itsonlywords · 11-05-2010 11:16am

deisemum wrote: »

I went to Bodega last week with friends, not my choice. It was only average and expensive for what I got. I wouldn't mind the cost if it was something special but it was nothing to write home about.

On a side note to do with Waterford restaurants well they must be recession proof and packed to the gills and not looking for business. My son is making his confirmation this coming weekend so in my quest to book a restaurant for ourselves and extended family I emailed a number of establishments re confirmation lunches and only one place bothered to reply.

Not being smart now but I have found that when you email them , they do not bother. You need to call them. I remember for my daughter's confirmation, we had left it too late and just turned up at Johnny Fans place in High Street and bluffed it by saying we had booked for that time. They spent a while looking in the book and jabbering away. We looked so upset that they found us a place. Happy family. Wish you luck. BTW we were in Jack Meads last Sunday for a communion and while it is basic enough the food is honest and filling. Great smoking area and a playgound for kids.

Waterford City Restaurants (2010 - Present)

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