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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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snotboogie

WhiteRoses wrote: »

Was asked for ID and got an inquisition from the bouncer on the door of Soho at 7:30pm last night while attempting to go for dinner in the restaurant upstairs.
I’m 26, as is my boyfriend, and we were well dressed. I was explained we were just wanting food and wouldn’t be drinking but was told I still needed to show ID. While looking at the ID, he quizzed us on our birth dates and ages.
His attitude was absolutely appalling, we were just trying to get some dinner.
I’ve posted before about how horrendous their staff are and how it’s a shame cause I really enjoy the food, but I won’t be darkening their door again. I actually couldn’t believe the treatment we got.

I had a good friend apply for a job there, they got her to work an 8 hour night shift as a trial and told her thanks but no thanks at the end of the night. One line and she was sent out the door. They didn't even have the courtesy to give her some tips on where she fell short, never mind giving her a share of the tips or a nights wage. The whole experience was handled incredibly unprofessionally and insensitively from their end.

SusieBlue

Was asked for ID and got an inquisition from the bouncer on the door of Soho at 7:30pm last night while attempting to go for dinner in the restaurant upstairs.
I’m 26, as is my boyfriend, and we were well dressed. I was explained we were just wanting food and wouldn’t be drinking but was told I still needed to show ID. While looking at the ID, he quizzed us on our birth dates and ages.
His attitude was absolutely appalling, we were just trying to get some dinner.
I’ve posted before about how horrendous their staff are and how it’s a shame cause I really enjoy the food, but I won’t be darkening their door again. I actually couldn’t believe the treatment we got.

TrustedApple

phater phagan wrote: »

Anyone who goes into the restaurant business is a brave soul. Climbing Everest without the gear, or swimming up the Amazon, would be easier. The profit margin is low ( wages, provision costs, electricity, rents, taxes etc., etc) and profit can literally be thrown into the bins every night. To do it well is to be applauded. Small, good establishments who do so are really bridging into the Arts.
Unfortunately those places who make lots of money in that business are the fast food franchises.

I grow up in the business all my dad's family are in it . It's one of the hardest to make money in and you are as only as good as your last meal.

There about 10 years ago my dad opened a posh fine dineing place busy every night won loads of AdWords and never made a profit he lost money on it. He was lucky to be able to sell the lease 18 months into it otherwise he would have went broke from it.

He went into the other end of market just before the crash in 08 and went for cheap but good food it was a extramly hard 1st 2 years now he does quite ok but only because he is in the business 24/7. He is the chef, waiter wash up you name it.

This is what has happened with so many food places they open up with no exp in the business and are not a Jack of all trades that you need to be. You are going to need to cook otherwise you will be grab by the balls of chefs with egos and they know you need then and they know you have to pay them.

I was going to open up my own place years ago but my dad stop me as he did not won't me to have that kind of life as if you won't your business to last and make money you need yo be there 7 days a week.

Sorry for the deslexa here if anyone has any questions about the business ask away I will try my best to help.

nerwen

Personally I was never a fan of Star Anise. I went there a few times but always ended up thinking it was a more expensive version of Market Lane without as good food, and my main gripe: nowhere near Mediterranean in their menu choices.

I'm still sad it's gone as it was a cosy little place that others seemed to enjoy, but there might be more people feeling the same was as I do I guess.

phater phagan

sporina wrote: »

star anise closing in the new year - i wonder why?

Anyone who goes into the restaurant business is a brave soul. Climbing Everest without the gear, or swimming up the Amazon, would be easier. The profit margin is low ( wages, provision costs, electricity, rents, taxes etc., etc) and profit can literally be thrown into the bins every night. To do it well is to be applauded. Small, good establishments who do so are really bridging into the Arts.
Unfortunately those places who make lots of money in that business are the fast food franchises.

curly from cork

sporina wrote: »

star anise closing in the new year - i wonder why?

From their FB page

https://www.facebook.com/StarAniseCork/posts/10157031683722222

the beer revolu

sporina wrote: »

star anise closing in the new year - i wonder why?

I think the market has just moved on.
So many new restaurants around, some of the older ones are struggling.
It's a shame, as I think it really was one of the better mid range restaurants in town.

sporina

star anise closing in the new year - i wonder why?

Cherry_Cola

Went to Wowburger last night, it was AMAZING! It's almost exactly like 5 Guys, the staff are great craic, especially when calling out the order numbers and good to see a lot of the Wagamama staff still working there too.

Hungover me is craving it again now!

Apt8

I tried Bao Boi, the Pork bun was incredible, I'd actually come back to try the others.

The spice bag though was atrocious, someone must have had a serious headcold when they came up with that combination of flavours.
I'm not a picky eater by any stretch of the imagination, but Christ that was rank in so many ways.

If there'd actually been 7 quid worth of food in there I'd have at least felt a little guilty tossing it in the bin.

SusieBlue

I ate in Wow Burger last night, it's a new place in the old Wagamamas spot.

It's similar to Bunsen in that it's kind of in between fast food and a restaurant. The menu was very similar to Five Guys - two/three types of burger, a list of unlimited toppings, free refills on the drinks.

We got two bacon cheese burgers (with quite a few toppings), two chips and two drinks for €23.
The chips had skin on and were a large portion for the price.
The burger was the nicest I've had in ages!! The patty wasn't too thick, I hate when I struggle to fit it in my mouth. It was perfectly cooked and the bacon was delicious and crispy.

The place was practically empty but can really see it doing well. The only thing slightly off putting is the decor, it's diner so lots of bright oranges and yellows in there.

Still fab though and I'd highly recommend. I'd prefer it to Bunsen if I had to pick.

Malari

Tried a takeaway from Bao Boi the other night. Thought I'd try the duck confit spice bag, which seemed a leetle bit steep at €7 for a relatively small dish though.

I'm not sure if this is normal, but it was 95% chips! I was expecting way more veg and meat! I sometimes get the Spanish fries in Paddy the Farmers, which are as advertised...chips - with some chillis, cheese, bits of spice and veg in there.

It was quite tasty though, and the girl in there is HUGELY enthusiastic and friendly :pac:

tailgunner

Ate in the Oyster Tavern last night. I was sort of wary based on some reviews from this thread, but ended up being very pleasantly surprised. Very simple menu, which I don't mind if the food is good, and it really was. Had steak, which was cooked perfectly. Staff were excellent, despite it being very busy. Really impressed overall.

flangemeistro

mimihops wrote: »

Gallo and Galletti is a very nice Italian restaurant just across from cuh.

Thanks for all the recommendations guys, unfortunately didn't get to try any of them as things happened a lot faster than expected so didn't have as much free time as baby no 1 and no 2 so I'll have to make it my business to take a spin some day to try it out.

On a slightly different topic that I have touched on previously, we went back to the Crawford Art Gallery this morning to try the full Irish after a sublime Eggs Benedict the last time.

Unfortunately the experiences were poles apart, the sausages were overly Herby and the black and white pudding we undercooked. The bacon was lovely as was the egg and the sourdough but for €10.50 it wasn't up to scratch.

Also on a side note which might be very anal of me but the two seater tables are tiny, it had an oversized Christmas arrangement but by the time the tea and coffee and order juices came out we had to have back the side plates and saucers as there literally wasn't an inch of usable space left.

We were next to a window also With another collosal Christmas arrangement which was spilling onto our table and some of it ended up in my tea, I'm a crazy Christmas freak but this felt way too much.

[Deleted User]

Harika wrote: »

Cask for tapas
And
Holy smoke for BBQ can be recommended

+1 on Holy Smoke.
Some feed, so energy might be zapped after it!

H8GHOTI

Good list of places in this examiner article:

http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/foodanddrink/the-menus-annual-food-awards-464441.html

mrpdap

pwurple wrote: »

Docklands is doing a tapas thing too..

Arther maynes also?
Does Salt count?

But yeah, you have the main tapas places in the city there.

L’attitude51
Feed your senses

And Iberian Way, Douglas Street
Top class tapas

pwurple

Docklands is doing a tapas thing too..

Arther maynes also?
Does Salt count?

But yeah, you have the main tapas places in the city there.

L’attitude51
Feed your senses

limnam

Lovely spot.

http://www.jacquesrestaurant.ie/

[Deleted User]

Both Iberian Way and Feed Your Senses are fab for tapas. I don't know which I prefer, both very nice. Both bring the food out when ready.

Another option is The Parlour beside the Bodega but they can be hit and miss.

who_me

Also "Feed Your Senses" (or Alimenta tus sentidos) on Washington St. Haven't tried it, but it's another option. Might be pricier than your target.

whatever76

Iberian Way - douglas st is lovely ; real authentic Spanish
Salt by Monaghan road - bit out of town but you have golderbergs/Idel hour and Sextant to go after.
Havent been but St Lukes there is a wine bar and tapas place as well that supposed to be lovely.

White Rabbit on McCurtain street gets good reviews for BBQ type stuff !

dinneenp

TiltedBrain wrote: »

Is there any actual tapas place in Cork?

I know Cask is recomended but they are more like starters and prices at 7 - 8 euro a dish minimum I assume. Arthur Maines is the same.

I like lots of small portions, shoe that's basically tapas

sammyjo90

L'attitude 51 does tapas,went there a few weeks ago and it was lovely.
There is Tedos..never been there myself, heard the tapas are nice but the service is a bit rushed

SteelyDanJalapeno

Is there any actual tapas place in Cork?

I know Cask is recomended but they are more like starters and prices at 7 - 8 euro a dish minimum I assume. Arthur Maines is the same.

dinneenp

Harika wrote: »

Cask for tapas
And
Holy smoke for BBQ can be recommended

Thanks. Phoned Cask for Dec 30th but they don't take booking which is annoying if trying to plan ahead.

Harika

dinneenp wrote: »

Hi,

2 nights in Cork coming up. I'm from Cork but living away for ages so looking for recommendation.
Firstly a tapas restaurant for 4-6 people, want to spend some time catching up & picking at food. Ideally somewhere that the tapas come out when ready and not all together. Nice as well would be a place that has a glass cabinet showing tapas- NOT a deal breaker.

Secondly a place for BBQ food- ribs, corn, chicken wings etc. I know there's a relatively new place on the Dyke but don't know how good it is or other places.

Cheers,
Pa.

Cask for tapas
And
Holy smoke for BBQ can be recommended

dinneenp

Hi,

2 nights in Cork coming up. I'm from Cork but living away for ages so looking for recommendation.
Firstly a tapas restaurant for 4-6 people, want to spend some time catching up & picking at food. Ideally somewhere that the tapas come out when ready and not all together. Nice as well would be a place that has a glass cabinet showing tapas- NOT a deal breaker.

Secondly a place for BBQ food- ribs, corn, chicken wings etc. I know there's a relatively new place on the Dyke but don't know how good it is or other places.

Cheers,
Pa.

H8GHOTI

Malari wrote: »

H8GHOTI wrote: »

Piano bar at Rachels. What’s it like in there?
Not eating but thinking of going for couple drinks Saturday night. How much are the cocktails & is it likely to be busy?

I think the cocktails are fixed price at €12. I ordered off-menu last time and that's what I was charged. I was only there mid-week, so don't know what it's like at the weekend, but I'd imagine MOST people there would just be in for a drink before dinner and wouldn't be staying long. But it's a nice, classy spot! I like it.

Went last night & nice spot alright. Good place to sit & chat, without blearing loud music etc...
Must try restaurant soon.

Samhain

Got takeaway from Bao Boi today. Duck Spice bag, Chicken spice bag, Beef bao and Asian slaw. The chips were soggy and lacking in flavour, I found one piece of chicken in mine and my partners duck version was equally sparse. The portion size was also incredibly small, it was presented in a burger box. The beef bao was also tiny, meat was nice but definitely not worth 5.50. Will not be returning