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The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

Faith

There's been a crazy number of threads recently looking for restaurant recommendations, so I'd like to start a specific thread for it. Please post below about your favourite restaurants - why you like them, what price range they are, what type of food they serve, if they have an early bird, opening hours if you know them, where they're located. If you could include a link to the website, that would be great. The more details, the better. This is not a thread to post negative reviews - there's a thread in the main Food & Drink forum for that if you like. Basically, I want this thread to be full of recommendations, not positive and negative reviews. That being said, you can disagree with a recommendation briefly if you really feel the need to, but you must have a really valid reason such as an awful experience, rather than "I don't really like the food" or "It's too expensive".

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sporina

Agnostic Mantis wrote: »

Hi people,

Looking to bring my 60+ year old parents out for a bit of lunch on Saturday in the city centre - is there anywhere you'd recommend? You know the drill - my dad's fairly averse to anything that isn't a fish/steak/potato - an old fashioned lunch menu would suit him best. My mother likes to complain about restaurants - a place where the service is good and the presentation's on the ball would be ideal.

i would suggest The Pembrook in the Imperial hotel (top end).. or Curran's (more reasonable affair).. or Gallaghers - mid range...

sporina

Nonoperational wrote: »

Had a great soup and sandwich in The Parlour Cafe next to Bodega recently.

i attempted to have coffee there once but the coffee machine was so loud that my mate and i left as we found the noise of it too loud for the size of the place..

anyone else find that?

Lyaiera

I agree with all that for parent lunch.

Pembroke in the Imperial for traditional stuff.
Gallaghers for a good pub lunch.
Market Lane for great food and you feel like pushing them a bit.

My initial thoughts are how it's kind of strange, but in reality it's not, that some places have really seemed to corner certain "types" of dining. How they become a great all round suggestion for pleasing a few kinds of situation. I've talked to the chef in Market Lane, the head chef of Elbow Lane who set up everything foodie about the place, and knowing him it makes sense. A head chef sets the menu, sure, but it's not just, "what do I cook?" The amount of work that goes into it is huge.

I've talked to a fair few good chefs, in a kind of, "if you could do anything in Cork, what would you do?" This was over the past few years, I think the vast majority of them mentioned MacCurtain St. and it's interesting to watch that play out now.

whatever76

Want to stay about the McCurtain st area Sat night for a bite to eat in a resturant - Torn between Greens or Star Anaise for dinner - what you advise ?

sporina

whatever76 wrote: »

Want to stay about the McCurtain st area Sat night for a bite to eat in a resturant - Torn between Greens or Star Anaise for dinner - what you advise ?

i say star anise... the owner is the hostess and is great at her job.. feels like you are on the continent - its so intimate.. and OMG the wee basket of break you get at the start (complimentary) is lush - their homemade brown bread is so nice.. sweet with a nutty crust.. they always have a fish special and a great wine menu.. and way more reasonable than greens.. greens can be hit or miss..

whatever76

sporina wrote: »

i say star anise... the owner is the hostess and is great at her job.. feels like you are on the continent - its so intimate.. and OMG the wee basket of break you get at the start (complimentary) is lush - their homemade brown bread is so nice.. sweet with a nutty crust.. they always have a fish special and a great wine menu.. and way more reasonable than greens.. greens can be hit or miss..

Sold - thanks for recommendations !

[Deleted User]

+1 for Star Anise! Great restaurant. Make sure to book though..

Lyaiera

whatever76 wrote: »

Want to stay about the McCurtain st area Sat night for a bite to eat in a resturant - Torn between Greens or Star Anaise for dinner - what you advise ?

I haven't been to either but I know a lot of people who have been to both. Star Anise has gotten entirely positive reviews apart from one dissenter. Greene's has gotten mixed reviews, but the ones who liked it said from a culinary point it's more high end than Star Anise. Anyone I know who has been to Greene's in the past six months says the variability there has been vastly improved and that they're one of the best restaurants in Cork.

Jamie Starr

Just wanted to thank those who recommended Market Lane. Everything was excellent, perfect place to go.

TrustedApple

Went back to holy smoke for the 2nd time there today.

Burger was as lovely as before.

Chips where shocking and where cooked in brunt dirty oil.

There was huge fight with the head chef and the staff on the table with them doing Notting and not picking up thr food. Therr was 13 people when I was in there ano 6 people on the table and I am still waiting on my drink ..... and I am now home .... never got water after asking a few times never asked was I ok. Just shocking service. No one lookEd like they cared.

There burger was one of the best I have ever had but I won't go back for such shocking service.

pwurple

TrustedApple wrote: »

There was huge fight with the head chef and the staff on the table

Wait, what? A huge fight between staff in front of you? Are you serious?

Nonoperational

sporina wrote: »

i attempted to have coffee there once but the coffee machine was so loud that my mate and i left as we found the noise of it too loud for the size of the place..

anyone else find that?

Never noticed that no.

roundymac

Was in Grumpy Wise, previously Ship Ahoy/Hassets in Crosshaven last night excellent dinner and very attentive and friendly staff. I had barberry duck salad followed by a Rogan Josh curry, the o/h had Smoked Mackrael and fish and chips. We'll be back.

TrustedApple

pwurple wrote: »

Wait, what? A huge fight between staff in front of you? Are you serious?

Yap there was the gen manager of the place had to come down to get them to cool down as there was loads of figating between the staff last night not a good sign.

If this carry on keeps on happening the place won't last much longer

pwurple

TrustedApple wrote: »

Yap there was the gen manager of the place had to come down to get them to cool down as there was loads of figating between the staff last night not a good sign.

If this carry on keeps on happening the place won't last much longer

I would have been calling the guards for any kind of violence. I hope you mean an argument rather than a fight.

rob316

Bramley Lodge for fathers day lunch earlier, absolutely delicious. I had the shin of beef cooked for 18 hours, melt in your mouth. Like €13 for a good size portion so excellent value. Malteaser cheesecake for dessert was unreal too.

omerin

rob316 wrote: »

Bramley Lodge for fathers day lunch earlier, absolutely delicious. I had the shin of beef cooked for 18 hours, melt in your mouth. Like €13 for a good size portion so excellent value. Malteaser cheesecake for dessert was unreal too.

did you have to pre-book the beef the day before, don't think I could wait that long? :pac:

TrustedApple

pwurple wrote: »

I would have been calling the guards for any kind of violence. I hope you mean an argument rather than a fight.

Proper sreaming match between each other we where sitting there in shock watching it.

I messaged them on Facebook to tell them about it and shocked with what I seen and they said mind my own bussiness and no fight happened and that I was never left waiting....

Being honest I don't see holy smoke lasting long If they get very defence over people telling them about fights between staff. Also basicly calling me a lier. Very disappointed

northgirl

TrustedApple wrote: »

Proper sreaming match between each other we where sitting there in shock watching it.

I messaged them on Facebook to tell them about it and shocked with what I seen and they said mind my own bussiness and no fight happened and that I was never left waiting....

Being honest I don't see holy smoke lasting long If they get very defence over people telling them about fights between staff. Also basicly calling me a lier. Very disappointed

Just out of interest after reading your review I checked out their Tripadvisor page. They have some good and some bad reviews but the way they respond to the negative comments definitely leaves a lot to be desired.. strange.

Jentle Grenade

I saw your post yesterday TrustedApple and had a good chuckle. I work nearby and last week four of us went in for dinner. It was quiet enough, maybe three other tables. We had just ordered when an almighty roar erupted from the kitchen area. Cue a full on shouting match between what I assume was the manager or at least someone in charge and some unseen person in the kitchen. Profanities and all. Now I'm not adverse to people swearing but it was hardly the venue for it really. Food was OK but the service was awful.

sporina

TrustedApple wrote: »

Proper sreaming match between each other we where sitting there in shock watching it.

I messaged them on Facebook to tell them about it and shocked with what I seen and they said mind my own bussiness and no fight happened and that I was never left waiting....

Being honest I don't see holy smoke lasting long If they get very defence over people telling them about fights between staff. Also basicly calling me a lier. Very disappointed

are you serious?? - oh bad form... i would be going straight to the FB timeline and putting it down in black and white.. unprofessionalism of the highest degree.. the customer is always right - esp when they are!

TrustedApple

Going to do a Trip Adviser review myself as i am still shocked over what the manager said like it gives a great idea on how the business is run when you see that the manager is in complete denial over things. I say the fights me and the other poster seen is in the start of the problems inside there. It wont last if the everyone is killing each other not a good sign at all.

I will go back to Sun of a Bun and CQ Bull for my burgers as at lest i get looked after in there and get my drinks ha ha.

sporina

TrustedApple wrote: »

Going to do a Trip Adviser review myself as i am still shocked over what the manager said like it gives a great idea on how the business is run when you see that the manager is in complete denial over things. I say the fights me and the other poster seen is in the start of the problems inside there. It wont last if the everyone is killing each other not a good sign at all.

I will go back to Sun of a Bun and CQ Bull for my burgers as at lest i get looked after in there and get my drinks ha ha.

oh defo give a detailed acc on TA - thats deplorable to say the least!!

rob316

TrustedApple wrote: »

Proper sreaming match between each other we where sitting there in shock watching it.

I messaged them on Facebook to tell them about it and shocked with what I seen and they said mind my own bussiness and no fight happened and that I was never left waiting....

Being honest I don't see holy smoke lasting long If they get very defence over people telling them about fights between staff. Also basicly calling me a lier. Very disappointed

For it to happen is bad but to acknowledge it is and call you a liar is terrible.

Neil Prendeville would love this, that's all I'm saying

ncmc

So made it to Orso on Saturday night – absolutely fantastic, as good a meal as I’ve had in a long time. We arrived in at about 7:20 and were told it would be a 45-60 min wait, so we went to Canty’s for a drink and just over an hour later got the call that our table was ready. Restaurant is teeny tiny, but it didn’t feel claustrophobic or noisy. For starters my sister had the scallops and I had the Sfeehas which are little lamb pies served on cous cous. Both starters were fantastic, nice balance of spices, the scallops were perfectly cooked. My starter was quite large, it would nearly suffice as a main if you had a small appetite. For mains, we had the fish if the day which was hake and the spiced seafood stew. Again, both delicious, hake perfectly cooked and there was plenty of beautifully tender fish in the stew. We had chick peas and potato skins as sides, both were beautiful but the chick peas in particular were gorgeous, I would have been happy eating just those! My sisters dessert was amazing, meringue, chocolate ganache and passionfruit cream, she said it was one of the nicest desserts she ever had. I had the goats cheese cheesecake, which was the weakest item for me, but that was more a personal taste, the base was almond and sesame and it was a bit too much like budgie food for my liking! She finished off with a citrus fizz cocktail, absolutely gorgeous and a nice way to end a meal. Service was lovely and helpful without being OTT. Bill for two of us, three courses, one coffee, two glasses of wine and one cocktail came to €105 so not the cheapest of places, but for the quality of food, it was a fair price. Will definitely be back, I find sometimes these popular places can be mainly hype, but in this case certainly, the food justified the hype.

leahyl

Always meaning to try Orso but it's always so busy - you'd want to not be in a hurry to eat and just go for a drink like you did ncmc. That was a great review though so must try soon

sporina

Nonoperational wrote: »

The original owners put up a Facebook post saying it wasn't the original Chilli Padi.

any update on this? in the need for a good asian/thai take away in the city - hoping something nice will fill chili padi's boots

ncmc

leahyl wrote: »

Always meaning to try Orso but it's always so busy - you'd want to not be in a hurry to eat and just go for a drink like you did ncmc. That was a great review though so must try soon

That's exactly it, we went in early, but were prepared not to eat til 8:30/9, so we weren't starving. It wouldn't be a good idea if you were really hungry!

BurnsCarpenter

La Cavalera in Douglas does a really good burrito. Best in Cork I reckon. Mexican dude running it.

Markcheese

Went to sage in midleton tuesday night.... wow.. not overly formal, a three or four course dinner menu - with two choices per course... not cheap ,45 euros(ish) for the four courses ,but well ,well worth it.