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Dinner Tonight! Where to go? - Restaurant & Eating Out Recommendations for NCD

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    #632
    Stheno
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,687 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    Ah new year, new post :)

    After what has been a dismal season for dining out, tonight the OH and I were freed of the shackles of having his adult children in residence for far too long, and went to Empoli in the Plaza in Swords (for those of you who don't know it, it's on the first floor, just beside Wrights)

    We've been before, and I think I've posted about them before, but it was delicious.

    I've a small appetite, compounded by the fact that a large plate of food makes me wince, and kills my appetite, so when informed that yes, I could have a child sized plate of pasta, I was pleased.

    For starters, I just had garlic bread with cheese, OH had crostini with smoked salmon, which he pronounced as excellent.

    He'd the boring main of spag bol, while I had ravioli, nicely cooked pasta, filled with mince, in a lovely rich tomato sauce. My child size portion was just enough to leave me not only eating it all, but contemplating a dessert.

    I plumped for the orange sorbet ( I love sorbets), Empoli serve this in a hollowed out orange skin, when it arrived at the table, the OH (who hadn't been paying attention) said "wow, that looks like a real orange" to which the waiter went to pains to explain that the outside WAS a real orange, flesh scooped out and filled with sorbet. When the bill arrived, the dessert and an americano were missing from the bill, and when I pointed this out, was told it was a mistake, but to enjoy it as it's new year.

    The service was lovely, the food was lovely, and we'll be heading back soon. A few of our regular haunts have changed their menus/become unreliable in terms of knowing you can get a table recently and we have been looking for an alternative.

    I think we've found it :)

    It was delicious.


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    #633
    The Davestator
    Registered Users Posts: 3,398 ✭✭✭The Davestator


    Very sorry to hear that Essence Bistro has closed down. My favourite restaurant in Swords by far. Had lots of family occasions there over the past 5 years and never a bad word said about it


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    #634
    Tilly
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,987 ✭✭✭Tilly


    The Davestator wrote: »
    Very sorry to hear that Essence Bistro has closed down. My favourite restaurant in Swords by far. Had lots of family occasions there over the past 5 years and never a bad word said about it

    This makes me very sad, best chicken wings in Swords.


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    #635
    Arthur Daley
    Registered Users Posts: 4,427 ✭✭✭Arthur Daley


    That is a shame. Was there after new year and we were the only people in that night, but it was quiet everywhere. Essence was a reliable spot for a meal out. Can only guess rents are spiking now in a few locations which may change the business rationale as they survived 5 tough years as they said in their facebook post


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    #636
    Qprmeath
    Registered Users Posts: 902 ✭✭✭Qprmeath


    Empoli ok. Cheap and cheerful. Wife's Penne Entrecôte was a weird tomato sauce. Baileys coffee had a large dollop of aerosol cream on top. Spaghetti Bol and kids pizzas decent enough but overall the place lacks something. Can't see us returning


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    #637
    BKWDR
    Registered Users Posts: 2,172 ✭✭✭BKWDR


    Ploughmans in kinseally, bar food but had never been there but had always heard stories of the locals ruining the place, was very pleasantly surprised! The chicken wings are very good for anyone who is a wing fiend like myself!

    Also, have heard the Cock Tavern is on the verge of opening up again, they are looking at staff etc


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    #638
    Homer
    Registered Users Posts: 4,262 ✭✭✭Homer


    I see on Twitter that the cock tavern in swords is aiming to be back open by 10th February


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    #639
    Stheno
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,687 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    Homer wrote: »
    I see on Twitter that the cock tavern in swords is aiming to be back open by 10th February

    I wonder have they done it up, it was a bit tatty last time I was in there


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    #640
    Stheno
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,687 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    Stheno wrote: »
    I wonder have they done it up, it was a bit tatty last time I was in there

    Ah we went in tonight as we were searching for somewhere to feed the OHs son, it looks lovely compared to previously, but they won't be serving food for a few weeks.

    We ended up in Empire (haven't been there in over a year). The service was incredibly slow, 15 minutes after we sat down someone came over to take our order after we had flagged them down, then another 25 minute wait for food.

    The food was ok, but the service was desperate.


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    #641
    Uriel.
    Registered Users Posts: 8,061 ✭✭✭Uriel.


    Stheno wrote: »
    Ah we went in tonight as we were searching for somewhere to feed the OHs son, it looks lovely compared to previously, but they won't be serving food for a few weeks.

    We ended up in Empire (haven't been there in over a year). The service was incredibly slow, 15 minutes after we sat down someone came over to take our order after we had flagged them down, then another 25 minute wait for food.

    The food was ok, but the service was desperate.

    Seems to be the way things are going at Empire at the moment...getting too big for itself I feel and doesn't know if it's a pub or a club.


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    #642
    Stheno
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,687 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    Anyone eaten in Sagarmatha kitchen in Swords? It's a Nepalese restaurant.

    I had a takeaway from there tonight which was very tasty


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    #643
    Shred
    Registered Users Posts: 2,461 ✭✭✭Shred


    Stheno wrote: »
    Anyone eaten in Sagarmatha kitchen in Swords? It's a Nepalese restaurant.

    I had a takeaway from there tonight which was very tasty

    I haven't but I've heard good things.

    It's my birthday next week and so I've booked Kajjal in Malahide for a group of four; the wife and I ate in Jaipur last summer and really enjoyed it. This appears to be even better so we're really looking forward to it!


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    #644
    yknaa
    Registered Users Posts: 830 ✭✭✭yknaa


    Shred wrote: »
    I haven't but I've heard good things.

    It's my birthday next week and so I've booked Kajjal in Malahide for a group of four; the wife and I ate in Jaipur last summer and really enjoyed it. This appears to be even better so we're really looking forward to it!

    Keen to hit Kajjal. Anyone try it out recently?


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    #645
    thesteve
    Registered Users Posts: 902 ✭✭✭thesteve


    Yeah, it's pretty nice.


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    #646
    Shred
    Registered Users Posts: 2,461 ✭✭✭Shred


    Yeah we were there last night and thought it was lovely but my wife and I both thought Jaipur's menu and how they present the food is more unique. Kajjal is a nicer restaurant décor-wise though, it's quite cosy. The service was excellent too.


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    #647
    Tilly
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,987 ✭✭✭Tilly


    I probably prefer Kajal out of the two and was in both recently.


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    #648
    jmbkay
    Registered Users Posts: 376 ✭✭jmbkay


    Food in Swords
    The food in the Old School House is always great. Car parking is a challenge but I would walk there before I would go to many places. The Well is very good too. Missing Essence!


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    #649
    Stheno
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,687 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    Has anyone been in Indie Spice in Swords lately and if so, what did you think of it?


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    #650
    plodder
    Registered Users Posts: 7,135 ✭✭✭plodder


    jmbkay wrote: »
    Food in Swords
    The food in the Old School House is always great. Car parking is a challenge but I would walk there before I would go to many places. The Well is very good too. Missing Essence!
    +1 on Old School House for food. Park in the Castle shopping centre - it's free after 7pm and you just walk (about 100 metres) along the river path.

    Anyone know is the Cock Tavern serving food since they re-opened? That used to be good before they were closed.


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    #651
    The Davestator
    Registered Users Posts: 3,398 ✭✭✭The Davestator


    Had a family meal in Hogs and heifers and almost everyone was delighted with their meals.

    The pulled pork burger is atrocious and the fish is very small. Aside from that, everyone else was happy.

    Service was brilliant too. Much better than before


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    #652
    Uriel.
    Registered Users Posts: 8,061 ✭✭✭Uriel.


    plodder wrote: »
    +1 on Old School House for food. Park in the Castle shopping centre - it's free after 7pm and you just walk (about 100 metres) along the river path.

    Anyone know is the Cock Tavern serving food since they re-opened? That used to be good before they were closed.

    Definitely agree on the OSH - always great food. The Bar menu is great, portions sizes are very generous.

    The restaurant is also fantastic, quite small and definitely a need to book well in advance. But the bar food usually does me.

    The Cock has started serving food but the menu is quite limited at the moment. Apparently it will broaden but I think there might be still some work going on on the kitchen facilities, at least that's what I was told.


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    #653
    neris
    Registered Users Posts: 20,040 ✭✭✭✭neris


    The Davestator wrote: »
    Had a family meal in Hogs and heifers and almost everyone was delighted with their meals.

    The pulled pork burger is atrocious and the fish is very small. Aside from that, everyone else was happy.

    Service was brilliant too. Much better than before

    is it still pricey or have they come down abit? was only there once 2 years ago and thought while the food was good it was pricey


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    #654
    The Davestator
    Registered Users Posts: 3,398 ✭✭✭The Davestator


    neris wrote: »
    is it still pricey or have they come down abit? was only there once 2 years ago and thought while the food was good it was pricey

    I didnt find it expensive. I generally compare restaurant prices by two things - margerrita pizza and their basic burger.

    Me and my brother got the 'feast' - rib eye, ribs, half chicken, pulled pork burger, chips, onion rings - €45 between us. That was the most expensive thing in the group


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    #655
    Stheno
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,687 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    Have been out and about a bit the past few months due to family birthdays.

    There is a place called Sagarmatha Kitchen in Swords, down near the Castle on Main st, it's Nepalese, we've eaten there twice and both times the food has been enjoyable, I've discovered a taste for spicy food, and enjoy it there :)

    Then there's a new thai called pok pok on the main street, fairly basic, but I had ramen noodle soup there recently and it was superb, incredibly fresh.

    It was my birthday this weekend, and so I had tapas in bon appetit in Malahide yesterday which was fab, and on the recommendation of a friend, we tried the fish shack in Malahide today, and it was delicious, definitely going back, great food, superb service, and a great atmosphere.


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    #656
    Uriel.
    Registered Users Posts: 8,061 ✭✭✭Uriel.


    Stheno wrote: »
    Have been out and about a bit the past few months due to family birthdays.

    There is a place called Sagarmatha Kitchen in Swords, down near the Castle on Main st, it's Nepalese, we've eaten there twice and both times the food has been enjoyable, I've discovered a taste for spicy food, and enjoy it there :)

    Then there's a new thai called pok pok on the main street, fairly basic, but I had ramen noodle soup there recently and it was superb, incredibly fresh.

    It was my birthday this weekend, and so I had tapas in bon appetit in Malahide yesterday which was fab, and on the recommendation of a friend, we tried the fish shack in Malahide today, and it was delicious, definitely going back, great food, superb service, and a great atmosphere.

    Sagarmatha is amazing and also have great take away deals and their take away is delish too. Have ate in it a few times and its got a lovely and extensive menu. Decor is not great, think it's still the same as what was in dandelion previously but I wouldn't really care given the food is so good and it's great value.

    Only thing is it is never really busy so not sure that It'll last... Unfortunately.


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    #657
    Stheno
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,687 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    Uriel. wrote: »
    Sagarmatha is amazing and also have great take away deals and their take away is delish too. Have ate in it a few times and its got a lovely and extensive menu. Decor is not great, think it's still the same as what was in dandelion previously but I wouldn't really care given the food is so good and it's great value.

    Only thing is it is never really busy so not sure that It'll last... Unfortunately.

    think they are surviving on groupon deals tbh


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    #658
    The Rooster
    Registered Users Posts: 4,437 ✭✭✭The Rooster


    New restaurant about to open in Rush. The "Joyous Garden" at the Mill (where Sapphires used to be before it moved down the town).

    That's an oriental sounding name, and a friend of mine said he saw an advert where they were looking for a chef who specialises in Cantonese food.

    Glad to see it opening, as the location is reasonably handy for me, although I would have preferred a Steak House or something more European, as we've a few Asian options, whereas the Harbour Bar is the only real place for steaks, burgers, fish, etc and that is completely the opposite end of the town.


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    #659
    Jimdagym
    Registered Users Posts: 3,843 ✭✭✭Jimdagym


    I see Fei's Garden in Balbriggan in now Osaka Japanese Restaurant and takeaway.
    Has anyone tried it yet? I only found out today and can't wait for the weekend to try it!


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    #660
    The Hill Billy
    Registered Users Posts: 22,748 ✭✭✭✭The Hill Billy


    Where in Balbriggan is that? Am into Japanese food so will be interested to see what it's like.


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    #661
    padger
    Registered Users Posts: 39 ✭padger


    Think it's down Dunne's stores area


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