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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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Water John

Six of us had an afternoon meal, main course and dessert in The Kingsley, during the week. Food was very good. All six ordering different things. My Thai curry, I'd say nearly had a whole chicken in it. Can be had also as a vegetarian option.
Service part was a bit of a let down to a nice afternoon.

I see, another table had afternoon tea. They left behind much of the food that they had paid for. I think we need to get used to asking for it, to take away.

leahyl

Ate in the Spitjack on Friday night and have to say I was a disappointed. The place itself is stunning and the staff are friendly but the food wasn't great to be honest, not to mention pricy. I had the chicken liver pate for starter which was bland - unusual for a chicken liver pate which is normally quite salty from the butter - I had to add salt - a very small portion with just 3 tiny bits of toast and some chutney - for 7.90. For main I had the ham hock, which I really shouldn't have ordered because I'm not a huge fan of ham generally (so it's partly my fault) but I didn't want to be ordering a chicken dish again and I didn't want anything else on the menu. The ham hock was ok.....wasn't gone on the flavour and then you get one side with it so I picked the potato gratin....again nothing special. I shared a dessert with my friend, which was a strawberry and rhubarb trifle - seemed to be mostly cream from what I had of it anyway.

All in all, I don't think I'd go back for dinner, there wasn't a huge selection on the menu. I'd try brunch or lunch though, give it another shot.

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5

On Umi and the bill thing, seeing as they're doing takeaway and sit down, and seeing as they presumably get pretty busy at lunch, if they start splitting bills they're going to sacrifice some speed and accuracy of service. Which have been flawless any time I've been there.

Imagine a lunch rush. Order comes in, four or five things on it, kitchen knows that it's all for the same group, all the things go out at the same time. Same order comes in as four or five separate dockets, kitchen has no way of knowing they're all together, things end up going out at intervals. Annoying for the group of customers and very easy for another customer who's ordered one of the same items to end up getting what should have gone to the group. Now obviously the counter staff can keep track and keep the kitchen informed but the less you have to factor in human error at busy times the better the service is going to be IME.

Being a customer or employee at a place that has good food but is prone to the mix ups that come with relying on several different staff members keeping track of customers and orders just by memory is incredibly frustrating, taking your phone out to manually split the bill is a small price to pay tbh.

rob316

leahyl wrote: »

Ate in the Spitjack on Friday night and have to say I was a disappointed. The place itself is stunning and the staff are friendly but the food wasn't great to be honest, not to mention pricy. I had the chicken liver pate for starter which was bland - unusual for a chicken liver pate which is normally quite salty from the butter - I had to add salt - a very small portion with just 3 tiny bits of toast and some chutney - for 7.90. For main I had the ham hock, which I really shouldn't have ordered because I'm not a huge fan of ham generally (so it's partly my fault) but I didn't want to be ordering a chicken dish again and I didn't want anything else on the menu. The ham hock was ok.....wasn't gone on the flavour and then you get one side with it so I picked the potato gratin....again nothing special. I shared a dessert with my friend, which was a strawberry and rhubarb trifle - seemed to be mostly cream from what I had of it anyway.

All in all, I don't think I'd go back for dinner, there wasn't a huge selection on the menu. I'd try brunch or lunch though, give it another shot.

I've been 3 times and the same trend follows. Boring, overpriced, unimaginative, small portions of food.

Gamb!t

rob316 wrote: »

I've been 3 times and the same trend follows. Boring, overpriced, unimaginative, small portions of food.

Was it really that bad that you went 3 times ?

Nonoperational

I just couldn't get over the customer service response when I got a raw steak in Rachels. It was utter contempt I was treated with. It was really terrible. I'd eat out in Cork a few times a week and I would be very very slow to go back.

Tried spit jack for lunch too, wasn't impressed. Disappointing.

rob316

Gamb!t wrote: »

Was it really that bad that you went 3 times ?

I work on Washington street I'm constantly invited to lunch by clients I've reardens coming out my ears so I'd take any change. I went once of my own accord other times the client picked up the tab.

northgirl

Nonoperational wrote: »

I just couldn't get over the customer service response when I got a raw steak in Rachels. It was utter contempt I was treated with. It was really terrible. I'd eat out in Cork a few times a week and I would be very very slow to go back.

Tried spit jack for lunch too, wasn't impressed. Disappointing.

After everything I've heard to date about rachel's, I'd be reluctant to go there even if someone else was footing the bill. Such a shame.

the beer revolu

Nonoperational wrote: »

I just couldn't get over the customer service response when I got a raw steak in Rachels. It was utter contempt I was treated with. It was really terrible. I'd eat out in Cork a few times a week and I would be very very slow to go back.

Tried spit jack for lunch too, wasn't impressed. Disappointing.

Raw?
Really?

JohnK

Tequila Jacks seemed to be open this evening as I was walking past; didn't get a chance to look at their menu though.

Malari

JohnK wrote: »

Tequila Jacks seemed to be open this evening as I was walking past; didn't get a chance to look at their menu though.

Where's that one?

JohnK

Its in what used to be the Boardwalk next to the Clayton hotel.

Malari

JohnK wrote: »

Its in what used to be the Boardwalk next to the Clayton hotel.

Ah. Never went to the Boardwalk so didn't realise it was gone. Do you know what kind of place the new one is?

sporina

Malari wrote: »

Ah. Never went to the Boardwalk so didn't realise it was gone. Do you know what kind of place the new one is?

its a mexican place - as the name would suggest.. lol ... just slagging

JohnK

Only that its a Mexican restaurant & Tequila bar but I'm hoping it'll be nice!

Malari

sporina wrote: »

its a mexican place - as the name would suggest.. lol ... just slagging

Lol! I meant more, is it a bar plus food like 6ix (which I loved...RIP), or formal restaurant.

sporina

Malari wrote: »

Lol! I meant more, is it a bar plus food like 6ix (which I loved...RIP), or formal restaurant.

oh i lovvvvved 6ix - was like a little bit of south america here at home

Nonoperational

the beer revolu wrote: »

Raw?
Really?

Yeah. Asked for it medium rare and it was charred on the outside and completely raw and cold 1-2mm inside the char.

the beer revolu

Nonoperational wrote: »

Yeah. Asked for it medium rare and it was charred on the outside and completely raw and cold 1-2mm inside the char.

That's shocking.
Sounds like it missed the hot oven bit of its cooking regime but that should have been really obvious on plating up.

Nonoperational

the beer revolu wrote: »

That's shocking.
Sounds like it missed the hot oven bit of its cooking regime but that should have been really obvious on plating up.

Ya I would like my steak on the rare side of medium rare but I just couldn't.

rob316

Just want to say I left a review of Spitjack on their FB page and the owner has engaged with me brilliantly, really impressed. Really listened to my feedback and I could tell he appreciated it. Admitted as much he needs to be doing better. It's a good sign when the owner doesn't pat himself on the back to his 100 positive reviews and takes time to address the few less favorable ones. Invited me back for lunch and all which I will accept in the future.

Nonoperational

rob316 wrote: »

Just want to say I left a review of Spitjack on their FB page and the owner has engaged with me brilliantly, really impressed. Really listened to my feedback and I could tell he appreciated it. Admitted as much he needs to be doing better. It's a good sign when the owner doesn't pat himself on the back to his 100 positive reviews and takes time to address the few less favorable ones. Invited me back for lunch and all which I will accept in the future.

That's excellent.

sporina

Looked into loving salads on washington street today just to see what was on offer - was too early for lunch though.. looks like a nice offering - so you fill the bowl for €7.50 is that correct? The bowl looks like a decent size which is good if hungry but pity you can't pay by weight? They have some portions I would have loved to have taken home to have as a side.. I wonder why they don't do that? Its a narrow offering - one size for all..

And from what I saw there is no where to sit - apart from a few stools along the side of the wall?

Am I right on the above?

Water John

Haven't been there. The website says, small tubs €3.50, large tubs €5.50.
Unless they have changed and forgot to change the website.

sporina

Water John wrote: »

Haven't been there. The website says, small tubs €3.50, large tubs €5.50.
Unless they have changed and forgot to change the website.

thats for the place on academy st

Mumha

That's disappointing news about the 2 new restaurants on Washington Street, especially for me, Spitjack, as I really liked the concept. I hope they turn it around quickly.

Is it that they invest so much into the location and design, that they have to be stingy with the portions, and don't put enough into the food itself ?

rob316

Mumha wrote: »

That's disappointing news about the 2 new restaurants on Washington Street, especially for me, Spitjack, as I really liked the concept. I hope they turn it around quickly.

Is it that they invest so much into the location and design, that they have to be stingy with the portions, and don't put enough into the food itself ?[/QUOTE]

That sure as **** is a dreadful business plan.

Actual ingredients are a low overhead in comparison to staff, electricity, rent and rates.

Not throwing an extra few chips or veg on a plate is just stingy.

Mumha

It's a pity Coqbull got rid of their buttermilk wings, which I loved, and seemed to have scaled down their menu. Maybe it's a reaction to the competition next door but it's not for the better imo.

Mumha

rob316 wrote: »

Mumha wrote: »

That's disappointing news about the 2 new restaurants on Washington Street, especially for me, Spitjack, as I really liked the concept. I hope they turn it around quickly.

Is it that they invest so much into the location and design, that they have to be stingy with the portions, and don't put enough into the food itself ?

That sure as **** is a dreadful business plan.

It certainly would be, if it were the case. We all want them to succeed as it gives us extra dining options. It makes you wonder the advice they get after the initial concept (and that could apply to all new restaurants).

pwurple

Mumha wrote: »

That's disappointing news about the 2 new restaurants on Washington Street, especially for me, Spitjack, as I really liked the concept. I hope they turn it around quickly.

Is it that they invest so much into the location and design, that they have to be stingy with the portions, and don't put enough into the food itself ?

Some of us hate the massive portion thing though, so please don't beg restaurants to do this.

Yes, value for money, but I'll take quality over eating out of a trough (Yes Eco's , I mean you!) every time.