The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

limnam · 01-07-2017 10:29AM

sporina wrote: »

With regards to Rachel's - i think the problem is basically that expectations are v v high! She puts her name on the door - so high expectations are "expected"! Any aspect of the dining experience is bound to be majorly frowned upon. one would expect "exceptional" - especially at the prices that are being charged.
It should do what it says on the tin - major flop if not!

I would hope as a nation we're getting a bit more clued into cuisine not to think like this.

If I go to powers court I don't expect Gordon Ramsey in the kitchen, but I do expect really good food, good service and nice surroundings. I'm spending a lot of hard earned money. Why wouldn't we have high expectations

I haven't been to Rachel's yet at this point it's unlikely I will go but from the reviews it doesn't seem people are expecting too much they're just dropping the ball on what should be bog standard for any place.

The issue in Ireland is not generally having too high expectations we generally set the bar too low and accept a lot of run of the mill rubbish.

sporina · 02-07-2017 07:22PM

limnam wrote: »

I would hope as a nation we're getting a bit more clued into cuisine not to think like this.

If I go to powers court I don't expect Gordon Ramsey in the kitchen, but I do expect really good food, good service and nice surroundings. I'm spending a lot of hard earned money. Why wouldn't we have high expectations

I haven't been to Rachel's yet at this point it's unlikely I will go but from the reviews it doesn't seem people are expecting too much they're just dropping the ball on what should be bog standard for any place.

The issue in Ireland is not generally having too high expectations we generally set the bar too low and accept a lot of run of the mill rubbish.

its called "Rachel's" - Power's Court is not called "Gordon's"

I think you are missing the point..

you are not comparing like with like...

Associations go hand in hand with expectations!

limnam · 02-07-2017 07:56PM

sporina wrote: »

its called "Rachel's" - Power's Court is not called "Gordon's"

I think you are missing the point..

you are not comparing like with like...

Associations go hand in hand with expectations!

Wasn' the restraunt called Gordon Ramsey at Powers court?

It's been renamed now but I believe that was the name. It's not like his name was hidden.

I'm not missing the point at all.

marco pierre white's then, it's called marco pierre white.

Same rules apply.

No one expects him to be there, but they damn well expect the food to be top notch and service to match

sporina · 02-07-2017 08:22PM

limnam wrote: »

Wasn' the restraunt called Gordon Ramsey at Powers court?

It's been renamed now but I believe that was the name. It's not like his name was hidden.

I'm not missing the point at all.

marco pierre white's then, it's called marco pierre white.

Same rules apply.

No one expects him to be there, but they damn well expect the food to be top notch and service to match

I never said I expected Rachel to be there cooking - I am saying that having her name on the actual restaurant creates expectations.. and one would be correct for having such expectations.. I am not talking about other places that have had names changed.. what ever about what Powers Court was called or is called.. as you don't know its an invalid point.. but high expectations would be natural for Marco Pierre's ...

limnam · 02-07-2017 08:34PM

sporina wrote: »

I never said I expected Rachel to be there cooking - I am saying that having her name on the actual restaurant creates expectations.. and one would be correct for having such expectations.. I am not talking about other places that have had names changed.. what ever about what Powers Court was called or is called.. as you don't know its an invalid point.. but high expectations would be natural for Marco Pierre's ...

At this point you're right, I've no idea what you're talking about.

You said I wasn't doing like for like, then I give you like for like but it's invalid?

As I've said the sort of things popping up in reviews have absolutely nothing to do with the level of expectation from her name.

If I go to my local no named restaurant. I can expect a decent wine list.

They manage that all without a sommelier.

I can expect the college student waiter/waitress not to fill my glass to the rim etc etc.

We're not talking about just coming in under star levels because it's Rachel Allen.

At this point between BBQ'd food not cooked on a BBQ and Rachel's we're boring the pants out of everyone.

Lets move on.

sporina · 02-07-2017 08:45PM

limnam wrote: »

At this point you're right, I've no idea what you're talking about.

You said I wasn't doing like for like, then I give you like for like but it's invalid?

As I've said the sort of things popping up in reviews have absolutely nothing to do with the level of expectation from her name.

If I go to my local no named restaurant. I can expect a decent wine list.

They manage that all without a sommelier.

I can expect the college student waiter/waitress not to fill my glass to the rim etc etc.

We're not talking about just coming in under star levels because it's Rachel Allen.

At this point between BBQ'd food not cooked on a BBQ and Rachel's we're boring the pants out of everyone.

Lets move on.

powers court is not called "Gordon's" = not valid as not comparing like with like..

different criteria dictate expectations.. one of them being the name - if its of a renown chef - of course high expectations are natural.. its goes without saying.. ie "Rachels".. hence all the reviews etc

as for the BBQ - there is nothing wrong with my thoughts on that... and you might do well to speak for yourself as oppose to "everyone"

gee whizz.. lol

limnam · 02-07-2017 08:49PM

sporina wrote: »

powers court is not called "Gordon's" = not valid as not comparing like with like..

It was called Gordon Ramsey's at powerscourt.

New management new restaurant, new name, no more Gordon.

Fairly straight forward like...

sporina · 02-07-2017 08:52PM

limnam wrote: »

It was called Gordon Ramsey's at powerscourt.

New management new restaurant, new name, no more Gordon.

Fairly straight forward like...

yes lets keep it to like with like.. not what was or might have been..

chef's name = high expectations

Ludo · 02-07-2017 09:09PM

sporina wrote: »

yes lets keep it to like with like.. not what was or might have been..

chef's name = high expectations

Just google "gordon ramsey powerscourt" and you will see the point Limnan is making...it's not that difficult to understand what he is saying. And to make it worse ye are actually both saying the same thing really.

03-07-2017 05:31AM

Anywho.....

Ate in Bellinis in the Maryborough hotel Saturday night. It was gorgeous. Would definatly recommend it. Service was great too.

Ann_Landers · 03-07-2017 07:15PM

.red. wrote: »

Holy Sh#t! Id expect a fillet steak sandwich with gold leaf for that price lol.

The Hayfield Manor afternoon tea is a huge amount of food. I was as full as if I had had an three course meal and we didn't even finish it all. We took the rest home with us. So it's pretty good value, IMO.

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5 · 04-07-2017 10:56AM

Anywhere good/terrible in the city centre for wheelchair access? I work in the English Market and just had a very upset lady in a wheelchair disappointed she couldn't get to the Farmgate upstairs.

I don't want to be sending people places and there's steps I've forgotten about or a footpath in sh1te meaning they've to go miles round.

pwurple · 04-07-2017 11:40AM

Leonel Putrid Cheddar wrote: »

Anywhere good/terrible in the city centre for wheelchair access? I work in the English Market and just had a very upset lady in a wheelchair disappointed she couldn't get to the Farmgate upstairs.

I don't want to be sending people places and there's steps I've forgotten about or a footpath in sh1te meaning they've to go miles round.

Oh dear, that sucks. Farmgate is probably the least accessible place in the whole city!

Any of the newer more modern places have wheelchair accessibility built in to their design I would imagine. Market lane & Blackrock Castle are defo wheelchair accessible. I've been there with friends in wheelchair.

Ground floor of Italee.

Club Brasserie... that's a v new building.
Cornstore or the Bodega.

I'd say hotels would be a good option also.

whatever76 · 08-07-2017 12:22PM

Rachels got a bit of a hammering in Irish Times review today sadly - https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/food-and-drink/restaurant-reviews/review-how-does-rachel-allen-s-new-restaurant-measure-up-1.3137954

what the hell! · 08-07-2017 01:00PM

whatever76 wrote: »

Rachels got a bit of a hammering in Irish Times review today sadly - https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/food-and-drink/restaurant-reviews/review-how-does-rachel-allen-s-new-restaurant-measure-up-1.3137954

Yeesh they'll have to do something about this. Not good at all. I'd like to try it but the reviews would put you off.

Malari · 08-07-2017 02:03PM

whatever76 wrote: »

Rachels got a bit of a hammering in Irish Times review today sadly - https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/food-and-drink/restaurant-reviews/review-how-does-rachel-allen-s-new-restaurant-measure-up-1.3137954

Ouch. It's rare that I don't try out a new restaurant myself, but so far nothing is enticing me to go.

limnam · 08-07-2017 03:59PM

Malari wrote: »

Ouch. It's rare that I don't try out a new restaurant myself, but so far nothing is enticing me to go.

I'm the same, my enthusiasm level is 0 for this place.

Pitty.

sporina · 08-07-2017 06:24PM

whatever76 wrote: »

Rachels got a bit of a hammering in Irish Times review today sadly - https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/food-and-drink/restaurant-reviews/review-how-does-rachel-allen-s-new-restaurant-measure-up-1.3137954

auch... and yep - like i said previously, or pretty much so.., "When your name is over the door of a restaurant of this scale, expectations are relentless"..

even on a elementary level, I don't get the 2 portions of carb with the mains.. fries and baby potatoes..

rob316 · 08-07-2017 06:27PM

I'm not that surprised tbh. Montgomery owns this place he a top class pub and club operator but knows nothing about running a top restaurant.

Gouging customers with sub standard food just isn't good enough.

the beer revolu · 09-07-2017 12:21PM

Was in Umi Falafel again yesterday. I really like their Palestinian falafel (haven't had anything else) and have had it several times.

However, I noticed something yesterday. Now, this didn't affect me as I was there alone but it's a policy that really annoy's me. They have written on the end of their receipts something along the lines of: Sorry, we cant do split bills.

As far as I am concerned, they may as well write "we can't be arsed going to a little trouble to accommodate customers who may wish to pay separately"

Why do restaurants do this? Is it really that much trouble to split the odd bill if requested? Not that it is a lot of trouble to do it with a piece of paper or a calculator, with modern tills it surely is a sinch .

Puts me off but probably not enough to stop me going there - I do like the food.

pwurple · 09-07-2017 05:06PM

I have not been in Umi falafel, what kind of place is it? Sit-down or mostly takeaway?

I know from years ago working behind a til that a lunch takeaway order could come in with ten sandwiches all wanting to be separate bills, and it would take us ages to process during a busy time with a big queue and would clear out the float. We would curse them, so i can see why they might refuse.

Miaireland · 09-07-2017 05:31PM

LexieOnRale wrote:

Opening the door on a Sunday hungover in a pair of pj shorts and mans T shirt with my Hun bun off to one side after being slept on, only to realise there were three gardai on my doorstep. I nearly had a heart attack right on my doorstep, after many years priding myself on looking presentable I nearly died looking like I was dragged through many many ditches.

My a local doesn't allow for split bills. I asked them.a while ago why. It has nothing to do with hassle. They say that often with big groups no takes ownership of extras like side orders of extra veg fries and sauces, coffees etc and they end up with unpaid items.

Water John · 09-07-2017 06:38PM

Anytime I have been part of a group, we'd divide the total cost by the number in the group and each pays to one. The onus should not be on the restaurant.

the beer revolu · 09-07-2017 07:41PM

Water John wrote: »

Anytime I have been part of a group, we'd divide the total cost by the number in the group and each pays to one. The onus should not be on the restaurant.

That's ridiculous.

Hello, I'd like to pay for the food that I ordered and ate, please.

Why does it matter if I'm alone or with people?
It's a basic of retail service. Restaurants all over the world manage it fine everyday. It's lazy and inconsiderate to not allow for this.

livedadream · 09-07-2017 08:05PM

the beer revolu wrote: »

Was in Umi Falafel

However, I noticed something yesterday. Now, this didn't affect me as I was there alone but it's a policy that really annoy's me. They have written on the end of their receipts something along the lines of: Sorry, we cant do split bills.

As far as I am concerned, they may as well write "we can't be arsed going to a little trouble to accommodate customers who may wish to pay separately"
.

You order and pay the the till... it's not like it's table service where you sit down and order and there's a bill at the end it makes sense they don't split it

the beer revolu · 10-07-2017 05:07AM

livedadream wrote: »

You order and pay the the till... it's not like it's table service where you sit down and order and there's a bill at the end it makes sense they don't split it

Considering their system, why do they even put it on their receipt? You've already paid for your food before you'd even read it.
It really makes no sense to me.

the beer revolu · 10-07-2017 05:10AM

Miaireland wrote: »

My a local doesn't allow for split bills. I asked them.a while ago why. It has nothing to do with hassle. They say that often with big groups no takes ownership of extras like side orders of extra veg fries and sauces, coffees etc and they end up with unpaid items.

Well, that's just customers being dicks. If you order it, you pay for it.

livedadream · 10-07-2017 09:07AM

the beer revolu wrote: »

Considering their system, why do they even put it on their receipt? You've already paid for your food before you'd even read it.
It really makes no sense to me.

Maybe it's autoprinted on the bill?
Maybe it's a glitch?
Maybe you need to stop letting stuff that doesn't effect you bother you?

D'Agger · 10-07-2017 09:34AM

Coffee forgotten for a table in Rachels according to the review - seriously, what's going on with the staff there? Any time people have discussed their experience there on this thread it seems poor service is a mainstay.

Hopefully they can iron out the creases so far

SusieBlue · 10-07-2017 09:53AM

I had an appalling meal at The Bosun in Monkstown last week. I had heard good reports but was really disappointed.

I got a chicken wrap that was drenched in some form of oil. There was no other filling besides a few miserable looking lettuce leaves and the wrap wasn't assembled properly, so all the greasy chicken fell out the bottom. The chips were clearly frozen and undercooked.
My lunch partner had the roast which looked like it was teleported in from the 1980s. She said the meat was very tough and the veg was overcooked.
Both dishes were just thrown on the plate with no care or attention to detail.
For two mains and two soft drinks it came to about €38 which is outrageous imo. Didn't enjoy it at all.

The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

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