The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

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...

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 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..

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

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.

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 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 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!!

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.

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

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