Courtyard Bar and Grill

stan smith

Anyone been to the new restaurant, the Courtyard Bar and Grill in McDonagh Junction yet,whats it like?need to find a new place for lunch

Raze_them_all

mad expensive from what i hear from people who work in McDonagh Junction over 11e for a burger and chips. Makes eddie rockets look good

mousehouse

Yes I have been in there, very expensive wouldnt be making a return trip. Some of the staff have attitude also so not a great start for them.

ergonomics

I haven't been home in a while so I was just wondering where exactly in MacDonagh this is?

road_high

ergonomics wrote: »

I haven't been home in a while so I was just wondering where exactly in MacDonagh this is?

In the Food Court area i.e. the Workhouse square. All the other coffee shops are around there also.

rubysnap

I've had a couple of things on the menu now, the food is great, much better than other places around. I thought it was good value for what you get, full dinners for about a tenner and lots of choice for starters etc. at good prices too. I'll def be back!

ft9

rubysnap wrote: »

I've had a couple of things on the menu now, the food is great, much better than other places around. I thought it was good value for what you get, full dinners for about a tenner and lots of choice for starters etc. at good prices too. I'll def be back!

Great 1st post

PhilipMarlowe

2 people registered just so they could sing the praises of this place.... make of that what you will, but it makes me want to avoid.

catbear

Maybe we should do a boards review.

Asphyxia

I must try it there, I've heard a good few positive things about it so I shall be trying it out

blackdog2

Licksy wrote: »

2 people registered just so they could sing the praises of this place.... make of that what you will, but it makes me want to avoid.

I really need to hear the opinion of a third first-poster to make my mind up

kkmick

I've only eaten there twice but I would recommend it. I know it's not the cheapest but I don't think you would get the same standard of food at that price anywhere nearby.( especially not in the junction anyway) Saying that tho I think it would be better if they had tables and canopies out the back too for the smokers

PaulKK

I ate in there on Sunday.

Its ok, it is very expensive though and the menu is not very extensive.

The food is grand but its probably presented a bit "upmarket" for a food court of a shopping center though, everything is smothered in pesto and olive oil.

I got the burger and whatever sauce they had piled on it was not to my taste.

The wedges/chips are quite nice though


I probably won't be going back to be honest.

road_high

PaulKK wrote: »

I ate in there on Sunday.

Its ok, it is very expensive though and the menu is not very extensive.

The food is grand but its probably presented a bit "upmarket" for a food court of a shopping center though, everything is smothered in pesto and olive oil.

I got the burger and whatever sauce they had piled on it was not to my taste.

The wedges/chips are quite nice though


I probably won't be going back to be honest.

How expensive Paul? I'm thinking 10/11 euro max? And that's comparable with most hotels around for lunch. The last thing Macdonagh needs is an expensive restaurant i think anyhow.

PaulKK

mfitzy wrote: »

How expensive Paul? I'm thinking 10/11 euro max? And that's comparable with most hotels around for lunch. The last thing Macdonagh needs is an expensive restaurant i think anyhow.

Think it was around 13 quid a meal, it was around 30 for the 2 meals and a drink.
For a burger and chips its expensive enough..

I'm not saying its expensive for a hotel meal, but in fairness its the foodcourt in a shopping centre

All the places in there are expensive though, I work near a quigleys for example and its 8 something for a takeaway soup and sandwich.

road_high

PaulKK wrote: »

Think it was around 13 quid a meal, it was around 30 for the 2 meals and a drink.
For a burger and chips its expensive enough..

I'm not saying its expensive for a hotel meal, but in fairness its the foodcourt in a shopping centre

All the places in there are expensive though, I work near a quigleys for example and its 8 something for a takeaway soup and sandwich.

Yea that is expensive for a shopping centre like ya say. I must give it a try though. It sounds like a city centre type restaurant stuck in the wrong place to be honest. Pity, there's still little enough choice in the so-called "food court" so. O'briens probably best of a bad lad.

PaulKK

mfitzy wrote: »

Yea that is expensive for a shopping centre like ya say. I must give it a try though. It sounds like a city centre type restaurant stuck in the wrong place to be honest. Pity, there's still little enough choice in the so-called "food court" so. O'briens probably best of a bad lad.

Yea exactly, it is really in the wrong place for what it is.

Even something like the esquires coffee on High st would be better in there where you can sit down and get a nice hot sandwich or pannini or whatever for 7 or 8 euro.

If you do try it I hope your not allergic to olive oil, everything was swimming in it!

road_high

PaulKK wrote: »

Yea exactly, it is really in the wrong place for what it is.

Even something like the esquires coffee on High st would be better in there where you can sit down and get a nice hot sandwich or pannini or whatever for 7 or 8 euro.

If you do try it I hope your not allergic to olive oil, everything was swimming in it!

Lol, thanks for the tip...love olive oil! They needed something like that KK cafe in Market Cross, just middle of the road food.

Sky King

I dined there today after reading about the place here and found the staff pleasant and professional, the food was prompt in its arrival and very nicely prepared and presented.

I paid a tenner for the main course. I don't think that's unreasonable, I have paid a tenner for a lot worse over the years.

(I have no connection to or knowledge of who owns the place)

cargo

Sky King wrote: »

I dined there today after reading about the place here and found the staff pleasant and professional, the food was prompt in its arrival and very nicely prepared and presented.

I paid a tenner for the main course. I don't think that's unreasonable, I have paid a tenner for a lot worse over the years.

(I have no connection to or knowledge of who owns the place)

Yeah was sitting in Quigleys? (think that was the name of it) coffee shop beside there and noticed around 3 daily specials on the board outside the CBG for 9.95 so didn't look too bad pricewise.

Firetrap

They mus have dropped their prices a bit because when I took a look at the menu board after it opened, the food was dearer.

spudtastic

long time reader first time poster,, Sitting in the CBG with the laptop so gave it a search. I had the daily special roast beef for ten squid. It was very tasty and I think it was good value. The staff are friendly as the lad who seems to be the manager (South African/ Aussie accent!!) gave me free coffee top up with the full plunger which was a nice touch. Overall I thought it was friendly and relaxing. Will be returning again.
I've nothing to do with any owners
Now the coffee has hit the system and i must go destroy the toilets.

catbear

Went there during the week, got the 9.95 special of the days. Correct about the swimming in olive oil. It kinda dulled the flavor a bit. It's no where in comparison the MCB tearooms for value.

On the plus it's probably the most comfortable place in MDJ although the main room is like an echo chamber, a dropped knife hitting the floor sounds like a bell beside your ear.

Won't be back I think. It all feels like it belongs in that bullsh*t exclusive Ireland of the mid 00s. For f**k sake Norah Jones on loop!

Deathwish4

spudtastic wrote: »

long time reader first time poster,, Sitting in the CBG with the laptop so gave it a search. I had the daily special roast beef for ten squid. It was very tasty and I think it was good value. The staff are friendly as the lad who seems to be the manager (South African/ Aussie accent!!) gave me free coffee top up with the full plunger which was a nice touch. Overall I thought it was friendly and relaxing. Will be returning again.
I've nothing to do with any owners
Now the coffee has hit the system and i must go destroy the toilets.

Must bring my laptop to Zunis this evening. Will let ye all know how I get on

Captain Havoc

blackdog2 wrote: »

I really need to hear the opinion of a third first-poster to make my mind up

Looks like you got your wish.

spudtastic wrote: »

long time reader first time poster,, Sitting in the CBG with the laptop so gave it a search. I had the daily special roast beef for ten squid. It was very tasty and I think it was good value. The staff are friendly as the lad who seems to be the manager (South African/ Aussie accent!!) gave me free coffee top up with the full plunger which was a nice touch. Overall I thought it was friendly and relaxing. Will be returning again.
I've nothing to do with any owners
Now the coffee has hit the system and i must go destroy the toilets.

Does anyone else find it appropriate there was a bull on the old Irish shilling?



Just saying.

catbear

another thing, one of the two guys was on a laptop while I was there.

Captain Havoc

catbear wrote: »

another thing, one of the two guys was on a laptop while I was there.

Was it anything like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anwy2MPT5RE

PhilipMarlowe

Actually tried this place out today and was impressed. Chicken curry with a kick.... good service also.

mousehouse

Ok so I was critical when the courtyard first opened and decided after reading all the good reviews of it on here I would give it a second shot. So today 2/11/2011 at 1.33 I went in for lunch, took a seat at a dirty table all the empty tables where as they were waiting to be cleaned. At 1.50 I asked for a menu as at least 3 staff members had passed me and not 1 even acknowledged me.
I waited a further 5 minutes for the menu and when I was given the menu the girl couldn't tell me the specials, so after almost 24 minutes and still not served I decided to leave. I went elsewhere in the centre for soup and sandbow and can't help but wonder how this place can stay open or is it just me that has bad experiences in this place. I for one won't be back and from what I can see now from where I am sitting nor will many others. It is just gone 2 and they have 80% of the front seating empty yet they havea red barrier p and turning people away. If the staff can't cope get ones that can.

Ritchie Mc

I've had coffee and scones there a good few times and no complaints, nice coffee and lovely scones, and good value too.

Had dinner with family there on Saturday night, came way full and must say the stake was the nicest I had in a long time. And it is a lovely setting on these dark evenings.

Highly recommended.

domkk

Ritchie Mc wrote: »

I've had coffee and scones there a good few times and no complaints, nice coffee and lovely scones, and good value too.

Had dinner with family there on Saturday night, came way full and must say the stake was the nicest I had in a long time. And it is a lovely setting on these dark evenings.

Highly recommended.

Ritchie are you some sort of vampire? was the stake polished wood with a nice point. Or was the stake left over from Halloween? :)

catbear

Ritchie Mc wrote: »

I've had coffee and scones there a good few times and no complaints, nice coffee and lovely scones, and good value too.

Had dinner with family there on Saturday night, came way full and must say the stake was the nicest I had in a long time. And it is a lovely setting on these dark evenings.

Highly recommended.

You wouldn't that fella constantly on the laptop?

Dozen Wicked Words

domkk wrote: »

Ritchie are you some sort of vampire? was the stake polished wood with a nice point. Or was the stake left over from Halloween? :)

Once hes finished waiting on his table he will reply Hes busy right now.

Captain Havoc

mousehouse wrote: »

Ok so I was critical when the courtyard first opened and decided after reading all the good reviews of it on here I would give it a second shot. So today 2/11/2011 at 1.33 I went in for lunch, took a seat at a dirty table all the empty tables where as they were waiting to be cleaned. At 1.50 I asked for a menu as at least 3 staff members had passed me and not 1 even acknowledged me.
I waited a further 5 minutes for the menu and when I was given the menu the girl couldn't tell me the specials, so after almost 24 minutes and still not served I decided to leave. I went elsewhere in the centre for soup and sandbow and can't help but wonder how this place can stay open or is it just me that has bad experiences in this place. I for one won't be back and from what I can see now from where I am sitting nor will many others. It is just gone 2 and they have 80% of the front seating empty yet they havea red barrier p and turning people away. If the staff can't cope get ones that can.

I think if they spent less time on boards and more on organisation of their café, things would be better.

Bowlardo

Is the constant criticism about this place personal?
Went there myself got a burger which was very nice. Chips looked like they would be nice but got a feeling they were from a frozen bag, seemed a bit off.
Decor is funky. Music was very good.
Service? When it came was pleasant but the waiting was baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad.
Asked for some mayo/vinegar and girl disappeared.
Herself was really disappointed with the pasta she got.
Paid the bill and it was €26 and I definitely felt i was not ripped off!
Would go back again. Maybe got them on a bad day. You would definitely not want to be in a rush....and probably not too hungry!!

Captain Havoc

For me it is, I'm sick of first time posters coming on here and saying how great it is. I would ban them but it'd be a bit of a fruitless exercise.

catbear

I'm actually tempted to sign up as a newby just to write something like "the chips were orgasmic and the service was top notch. James, our besuited waiter couldn't have been more helpful, especially when I forgot my new password for that dreadful boards thingy where people have the check to post unwanted feedback..."

femur61

Bowlardo wrote: »

Is the constant criticism about this place personal?
Went there myself got a burger which was very nice. Chips looked like they would be nice but got a feeling they were from a frozen bag, seemed a bit off.
Decor is funky. Music was very good.
Service? When it came was pleasant but the waiting was baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad.
Asked for some mayo/vinegar and girl disappeared.
Herself was really disappointed with the pasta she got.
Paid the bill and it was €26 and I definitely felt i was not ripped off!
Would go back again. Maybe got them on a bad day. You would definitely not want to be in a rush....and probably not too hungry!!

€26 are you for real. I was in key Largo for an early bird. Two courses €10.

catbear

Femur, thought they were being sarcastic at €26!

Bowlardo

femur61 wrote: »

€26 are you for real. I was in key Largo for an early bird. Two courses €10.

€26 (includes 2 cokes) for the two of us. That would be the same in Key Largo (€10 * 2 = €20 plus drinks is around €26)

great time for key largo. lovely spot.

femur are you one of those people that know the price of everything and the value of nothing?

Dun Doire

Myself and my wife went there on Sat at around 4.30pm. The place was pretty quiet. It was my first time there and her second.

I found the food to be reasonable price - you will diffidently get better value elsewhere. However I thought the food was top notch. We has 2 starters, 2 mains and 4 beers and it came to a little over 50. No real complaints - very relaxed place.

I think the location of the place and what it aims to be are a little confused but I know we will be back and very soon.