[The Hill Billy]

[Mod Note] As suggested by Wishbone Ash (I got there eventually!!) this thread can be somewhere to post your dining experiences (good or bad) in Dublin County North. Feel free to post separate threads on specific places for further discussion, aswell as adding your experience here. Thanks

Re: Harvey's Restaurant in Skerries


Well WA - good news to report. Despite mixed reviews from a few people I had spoken to (OK - a few of the lads in Nealons) I'm pleased to say that we had a fantastic meal.

They've a good range of starters, reasonably priced - around €5 to €12.50.
The mains are pretty well spread too - €12.50 to €25 or so.

Mrs Billy had fish cakes to start & then confit of duck. Both were very well presented. The fish cakes were spot on in texture & flavour, & came with a basil & coriander pesto.

The duck was melt in the mouth & just dripped off the bone. Herself was highly impressed.

I had a "tower of crispy duck" on toasted brioche to start, then "turf & surf".
The starter was fantastic! Really quite the best starter I've had in a long, long time. They went a bit heavy on the coriander & chives, which were so plentiful that they were more part of the dish than just a garnish. As I like both I won't complain too much. The crisy duck was plentiful & it also came with something I can only describe as a "cucumber coulis" which was fcuking delish! (I can't wait to see Tom Doorley or Matthew Fort use that phrase. )

The surf & turf was a bit disappointing though. A couple of the prawns were a bit overdone & the steak came medium-to-well done rather than medium as requested. All the same though, it was a nice flavoursome piece of meat. But I'd question whether it was actually a sirloin as stated on the menu. The chips were out of a freezer, but good quality nonetheless.

One thing that I'll say is that whoever was plating up in the kitchen last night was an artist. I'm not one to be impressed by food presentation (just give me good food & plenty of it!), but this person was the 'Banksy' of food.

We had a wonderful bottle of wine - a St Emillion Reserve - at €26. They have a cracking wine list - from fine wines to a very good range of house reds & whites. The house wines are very reasonably priced too.

We didn't need to order dessert as the waitress must have overheard me wish Mrs Billy a happy birthday & a couple of them came over with a big slice of a chocolate mocha cake with a candle in it & sang "Happy Birthday" to her.
It was a really nice touch.

The serving staff were very professional & on the ball as regards being there just when you needed them, but not hovering at the same time. That said it was a quiet enough night & it may be a different kettle of fish on a busy Saturday (according to another review received over a pint in Nealons).

The bill came to €91 (including a coffee & a brandy). All in all, a great night was had, the food was brilliant (apart from my main which was still nice enough) & we'll definitely be back.*



* That is high praise indeed as I'm a fussy git when it comes to eating out.

[suzieb]

Hi looking to book a meal somewhere nice in Balbriggan tonight!
Not too fussed on type of food once its nice.Was hoping for thai but dont think theres anywhere and dont fancy driving to swords!
Any ideas? I've been to castellina chianti(sp) before and liked it and other italian restaurant but looking for something for me and the bf thats not gonna break the bank!
thanks

[wow sierra]

Golden Emperor chinese is great. Doesn't look much from the outside but the food is great as is the service, really friendly and it won't break the bank. I must go there again soon myself.

[suzieb]

Hey thanks,

Gonna try that next weekend cos just got lazy and decided to order take away with bottle of wine! Sooo lazy ;-)

[Chinafoot]

+ 1 on Golden Emperor. Tis ny0m!

The Italian spot down by the cinema is also quite nice and I've heard rave reviews about the chinese above the Hamlet pub.

Perhaps we could make this a permanent restaurant review thread for NCD? Always good to have boardsie recommendations!

[Wishbone Ash]

Originally Posted by Chinafoot

Perhaps we could make this a permanent restaurant review thread for NCD? Always good to have boardsie recommendations!

Great idea! I've been to the Bombay Bistro again tonight (in Rush) and have come away very satisfied as usual - great spot!

[SuzyS1972]

I love the indian opp the italian in Balbriggan - Garam Masala - very nice - mmmm

[An Bradán Feasa]

Try the Bracken Court Hotel, they do lovely food.

[LouOB]

Originally Posted by An Bradán Feasa

Try the Bracken Court Hotel, they do lovely food.

I love the restaurant in there - but since they changed chef I am not liking it as much. But still fairly decent

My only gripe is the duo - piano and guitar player. They ruin a nice dinner
The other piano player (Niall) was lovely compliment to a meal - rather than Karen Carpenter esque and Christy Moore who are quite loud

[Moonbeam]

Tried the Golden Emperor at the weekend and it was nice.

I had a takeaway from there about 2 years ago and was completely unimpressed,it was definitely worth giving it a second chance.


Feis Gardens also does a nice Chinese and the staff are friendly.

The Indian in Balbriggan is very disappointing,there is nothing wrong with the food but it definitely makes Skerries worth the trip.

[Wishbone Ash]

Originally Posted by Hill Billy

My pleasure folks. I just hope that you get the same quality of grub & service when you go.

Myself and Mrs Wishbone Ash dined there last nightand were fairly impressed overall.

Mrs WA had the fish cakes for starter and the chicken and bacon skewer for main. I had the crispy duck and surf 'n' turf. I asked for it rare but it was more like medium but I was expecting that anyway. The sauce was fabulous but I can't remember what it was.

Apologies for not giving as much detail as Hill Billy but I don't really have that much interest in food itself - more interested in company, ambience and surroundings.

The presentation was top class and the staff were professional. The decor was fresh and modern also although they could ditch the tacky placemats.

A couple of minor gripes - the music was a bit loud (IMO) and we thought that the red wine was a couple of degrees on the cool side.

The bill was €120 approx (including two bottles of wine).

[blastman]

Was in the Balbriggan one tonight for something to eat for the first time. The food was good (and hot!) and the service was quick and pleasant. I'd definitely go back.

[Chinafoot]

Originally Posted by blastman

Was in the Balbriggan one tonight for something to eat for the first time. The food was good (and hot!) and the service was quick and pleasant. I'd definitely go back.

+1

There was 7 of us there a about 3 weeks ago and it was lovely. Reasonably priced for the portion sizes and nobody in our party had any complaints about the food. Service was fast and very friendly.

Going to try and get the work crowd down there soon.

[Chopperdog 2]

+1 Again.

Harveys in Balbriggan is holding true to the excellent food and large portion sizes that have always been associated with any of Jimmy/Anthony Reilly's restaurants.

Mrs. Dog and I went there for lunch today and everything was to our satisfaction, we had a lovely meal, tasty, hot and well presented.

The Hoi Sin spring rolls were rather exceptional.
Mrs. Dog (Vegetarian) was very impressed with the relatively large choice available for her, especially when you realise that this a steakhouse and Grill.

Service was swift and the girls were very friendly.

Well done all round, we will be back.

PS They are offering a very good deal for groups coming up to Christmas, € 35 for 3 courses and a complimentary cocktail.

That could be worth investigating.

[midonogh]

I am going to dissent and say that I find Harveys quite disappointing.
Decor wise there is nowhere to beat it. They have obviously spent a lot of time and money fitting it out and it looks superb.

I have had dinner twice and lunch twice. My and the missus reaction was that it was barfood at restaurant prices. Dish that offended the most was the bangers and mash. The mash was lost for a bit of salt and pepper and the sausages were of the type that you get at a hot food counter. I did have the duck on the brioche that was mentioned above and although I thought it was a strange combination I did quite enjoy it. I had the steak on my first trip and found it quite tough.

I enjoyed the staff - a bit amateur, they had to be reminded to bring our wine, but they were very pleasant and friendly.

My recommendations in Skerries:
I have a young child and we like to eat a lot in Il Sorisio, the Italian above Gerrys. Food is good, view is superb and prices are great. Only downside is that it is a very big restuarant and when there are only a few people in it is a bit cavernous.

I have not been for a while, but love Pasta Pizza when it is full. Food is fine, maybe not as good as Il Soriso but the tight tables can make for a great atmosphere.

Always enjoy the food at Stoops, but on the rare occasion that we get out I can not be bothered with that hovering at the bar hoping to get a table. If only you could make a booking!!

Have only been in the Lifeboat once. Actually I had forgotten about it and thanks to the poster above for reminding me. Had a great meal in a lovely setting . Will have to go back.

Red Bank is a great dining experience, but the decor is woeful. I wonder could they move into Harveys?

Have been to the Chinese near the Tennis Court. Decor was nice, prices were fine, but disappointed with the food. Same for the Indian, although I have only had take away. I lived in London for a long time and the standard of ethic cuisine was very high, so it is a bit hard to adjust to Skerries. However I still keep buying from them. For Indians, the best by far that I have had in Ireland is Medina which is down towards Capel Street. It is the match for just about anything that I had in England.

The new place in Russell's looks interesting and I will try the next time that I am out. Anybody been?