The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

31-12-2017 07:00PM

sporina wrote: »

or if you like middle eastern/lebanese style food why not try ORSO - same owners as Market Lane - but the food is a little bit more adventurous - delish - though no booking and its tiny so say you plan to go on a fri/sat night and eat at 8 - go at say 7.15 - put your name on a waiting list - go to maynes and have a drink and they will call you when your table is ready - usually they have a 30/45 min wait

Yes I love Orso! I don't eat meat (do eat fish though) and had a look at the menu and I've tried pretty much everything on the menu already (without meat). So just waiting for them to change it up a bit..

Plus went to Orso last year for my birthday. Great place though.

Drdenise75 · 01-01-2018 11:21AM

Went to Spitjack last Friday night, 4 of us for dinner and I can recommend. My second visit - I didn't post comment after first as they weren't long open and I think needed to sort a few things with the plating of the dishes/sides but this time all was very good. Between us we tried beef carpaccio to start - the beef was lovely but it wasn't true carpaccio in that it was pretty much cooked and quite thickly sliced - still tasted good. Giant portion so could easily be shared. Cod fritters to start nice enough too. Then 2 of us had salted cod for mains - nice well cooked fish, chicken - again well cooked flavourful meet, and porcetta - very tasty. Tried one dessert as we were all pretty full at that stage - creme brulee, very good. I think they are doing a very good job there now at a decent price point. Decor is lovely. We were upstairs this time which is a bit nicer than downstairs I think.
Also, Ali's kitchen for brunch last week- lovely mushrooms on toast, and a very good eggs benny. Great service there. Cinnamon bun to take away - delish!

roundymac · 01-01-2018 11:23AM

sporina wrote: »

Lunch in Market lane: party of 6 inc. toddler... absolutely blown away by the service and the food was 10/10 - could not fault it.. those who had the soup adored it... mains were all devoured and more chips requested (skin on - delish).. mains had - fish pie, steak sandwich, fish and chips, halloumi salad (divine hmmmm can still taste the dressing - chili and orange).. and a soup and 1/2 sandwich (the full would be too big for one surely).. Then deserts - and brownie sundae and berry and pear crumble were had.. all devoured.. and one of the company is a former cook so knows her food. They were visiting us so was hoping that they would be happy and I am glad to say that they were... v much so. Had booked the Corn Store but changed my mind this morn - was lucky to get a table - place was v v busy!
But hat's off to the waiter we had - I hope that he is well looked after in there because he was flawless.. customer service of the highest degree.. we wanted for nothing - timings were perfect, water refilled before empty, looked after the toddler soo well - high chair, markers and colouring book, baby bowl ( which all the adults tasted and enjoyed too lol)...

So yeah - well done Market Lane - A benchmark for restaurants in the city for sure! (and i am fussy)

I hope you left a decent tip for the waiter.

the beer revolu · 01-01-2018 12:02PM

Drdenise75 wrote: »

Between us we tried beef carpaccio to start - the beef was lovely but it wasn't true carpaccio in that it was pretty much cooked and quite thickly sliced - still tasted good. Giant portion so could easily be shared. !

Did the menu describe it properly or was it a surprise to find the beef cooked?
I'd be sending it straight back if it wasn't explained on the menu.

What was the music choice and volume like?

Drdenise75 · 01-01-2018 12:26PM

the beer revolu wrote: »

Did the menu describe it properly or was it a surprise to find the beef cooked?
I'd be sending it straight back if it wasn't explained on the menu.

What was the music choice and volume like?

No it was not described any more in the menu, just beef carpaccio with whatever it was served with - figs, etc. I guess it's their interpretation of it but it certainly isn't what you'd expect. In fairness the beef was cooked rare enough but still not the real deal. I can't remember if there was music playing. If there was then it must have been fairly unobtrusive! The restaurant was full but the overall noise level was pleasantly buzzy not too loud and I'm a bit fussy about that - I can't stand over-loud restaurants where you're shouting to be heard.

the beer revolu · 01-01-2018 12:42PM

Drdenise75 wrote: »

No it was not described any more in the menu, just beef carpaccio with whatever it was served with - figs, etc. I guess it's their interpretation of it but it certainly isn't what you'd expect. In fairness the beef was cooked rare enough but still not the real deal. I can't remember if there was music playing. If there was then it must have been fairly unobtrusive! The restaurant was full but the overall noise level was pleasantly buzzy not too loud and I'm a bit fussy about that - I can't stand over-loud restaurants where you're shouting to be heard.

That's pretty amateurish, really.
Do they know what carpaccio is, I wonder.
Why not sell it as seared beef?

I once came across a cafe selling spaghetti bolognaise that was just spaghetti with tomato sauce.
Or the place advertising Irish stew but serving a beef brown stew - to be fair this one was really a chipper that sold meals so allowances can be made.

It just really bugs me when things are not as they are described on the menu.

Don't get me started on describing shaves of parmesan but serving grated parmesan like it's the same thing!

sporina · 01-01-2018 05:51PM

roundymac wrote: »

I hope you left a decent tip for the waiter.

absolutely

:):)

Cherry_Cola · 02-01-2018 02:01PM

Hi all. So my girlfriend is over from Japan for a few weeks and is super keen to try "Irish" food. So I guess I'm looking for places that do a good stew or bacon and cabbage or the like? Even a pub grub recommendation would be great!

phater phagan · 02-01-2018 02:38PM

Cherry_Cola wrote: »

Hi all. So my girlfriend is over from Japan for a few weeks and is super keen to try "Irish" food. So I guess I'm looking for places that do a good stew or bacon and cabbage or the like? Even a pub grub recommendation would be great!

You might try the Oliver Plunkett on that street of the same name.
They have those items that you mention on their menu. It's a friendly place.

BailMeOut · 02-01-2018 02:47PM

Cherry_Cola wrote: »

Hi all. So my girlfriend is over from Japan for a few weeks and is super keen to try "Irish" food. So I guess I'm looking for places that do a good stew or bacon and cabbage or the like? Even a pub grub recommendation would be great!

there is a ham hock with potatoes and cabbage at Market Lane that is really good (dinner menu only I think).

H8GHOTI · 02-01-2018 02:50PM

You probably have a better chance of getting Japanese food here :-)

Maybe a carvery lunch would suit? The elm tree in glounthaune is good, was very busy though anytime I was there.

I had a nice stew in market lane before so definitely be worth trying there.

Cherry_Cola · 02-01-2018 03:01PM

H8GHOTI wrote: »

You probably have a better chance of getting Japanese food here :-)

Maybe a carvery lunch would suit? The elm tree in glounthaune is good, was very busy though anytime I was there.

I had a nice stew in market lane before so definitely be worth trying there.

Carvery could be a good shout alright and live only a few mins from the Elm Tree. Thanks a million!

JackieChang · 02-01-2018 03:59PM

Cherry_Cola wrote: »

Hi all. So my girlfriend is over from Japan for a few weeks and is super keen to try "Irish" food. So I guess I'm looking for places that do a good stew or bacon and cabbage or the like? Even a pub grub recommendation would be great!

Definitely try Kelley's restaurant on Oliver Plunkett st. It's like walking into a time machine directly to your grannies kitchen.

Just to warn you, it's not a 5 star romantic meal. But it is traditional and Irish.

I usually go there with my dad whenever he's in Cork. Last time I was there we had ice cream and jelly for dessert.

the beer revolu · 02-01-2018 05:51PM

Cherry_Cola wrote: »

Hi all. So my girlfriend is over from Japan for a few weeks and is super keen to try "Irish" food. So I guess I'm looking for places that do a good stew or bacon and cabbage or the like? Even a pub grub recommendation would be great!

The restaurant part of the Farm Gate in the English would be your best bet for traditional Irish food with a bit of finesse.

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5 · 02-01-2018 06:02PM

the beer revolu wrote: »

The restaurant part of the Farm Gate in the English would be your best bet for traditional Irish food with a bit of finesse.

Closed atm though just as a heads up

northgirl · 02-01-2018 06:13PM

Leonel Putrid Cheddar wrote: »

Closed atm though just as a heads up

Back open tomorrow! Great recommendation.

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5 · 02-01-2018 06:15PM

northgirl wrote: »

Back open tomorrow! Great recommendation.

And freshly deep cleaned

Sorry thought they were shut for the week

Cherry_Cola · 02-01-2018 06:16PM

Perfect, thanks all!

northgirl · 02-01-2018 06:21PM

Leonel Putrid Cheddar wrote: »

And freshly deep cleaned

Sorry thought they were shut for the week

I'm so addicted I took a trip in to town today thinking they'd be open and was disappointed to learn the truth! They were closed all of Christmas - rightly so I suppose

sporina · 02-01-2018 08:36PM

JackieChang wrote: »

Definitely try Kelley's restaurant on Oliver Plunkett st. It's like walking into a time machine directly to your grannies kitchen.

Just to warn you, it's not a 5 star romantic meal. But it is traditional and Irish.

I usually go there with my dad whenever he's in Cork. Last time I was there we had ice cream and jelly for dessert.

where exactly is kellys restaurant?

i remember eating in some place really "irish"/old fashioned back in the late 90's - it was upstairs on one of the streets off Oliver Plunkett Street.. but can't remember which one..

igCorcaigh · 02-01-2018 09:01PM

sporina wrote: »

where exactly is kellys restaurant?

i remember eating in some place really "irish"/old fashioned back in the late 90's - it was upstairs on one of the streets off Oliver Plunkett Street.. but can't remember which one..

That sounds like it. Near where the Grafton is? I haven't been, always looked a bit iffy...

rob316 · 02-01-2018 10:16PM

It's a real blast from the past Kelly's. menu hasn't changed in 30 years. Jelly ice cream, Apple tart, bacon cabbage, pork chops with apple sauce, turkey ham. it's old school but not bad just the decor ha.

sporina · 03-01-2018 02:28PM

igCorcaigh wrote: »

That sounds like it. Near where the Grafton is? I haven't been, always looked a bit iffy...

no i'm sure that the place where i ate was on one of the streets OFF Oliver Plunkett Street..

JackieChang · 04-01-2018 02:34AM

sporina wrote: »

no i'm sure that the place where i ate was on one of the streets OFF Oliver Plunkett Street..

Kelley's is upstairs too and definitely on Oliver Plunkett st. What age were you back in the 90s? Could be imagining things.

byronbay2 · 04-01-2018 02:41AM

northgirl wrote: »

You're bang on though. 20 minutes walk is most of town. I've heard decent enough things about SpitJack but can't give a personal recommendation.

Went to Spitjack on the 29th and have to say I wasn't that impressed. The food in general was OK (not great) but the rotisserie chicken (which I assumed to be their signature dish) was over-cooked and chewy - very disappointing!

Markcheese · 04-01-2018 02:44AM

The Crawford cafe would be another on the traditional side, and really good..

pwurple · 04-01-2018 07:01AM

Drdenise75 wrote: »

No it was not described any more in the menu, just beef carpaccio with whatever it was served with - figs, etc. I guess it's their interpretation of it but it certainly isn't what you'd expect. In fairness the beef was cooked rare enough but still not the real deal. I can't remember if there was music playing. If there was then it must have been fairly unobtrusive! The restaurant was full but the overall noise level was pleasantly buzzy not too loud and I'm a bit fussy about that - I can't stand over-loud restaurants where you're shouting to be heard.

In their defense, it is described as Seared Beef Carpaccio.
See menu here:
https://www.thespitjack.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/DINNER.pdf

Complaining that it was seared, is a little unfair. You either misread or misunderstood the menu I’m afraid.

the beer revolu · 04-01-2018 07:11AM

pwurple wrote: »

In their defense, it is described as Seared Beef Carpaccio.
See menu here:
https://www.thespitjack.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/DINNER.pdf

Complaining that it was seared, is a little unfair. You either misread or misunderstood the menu I’m afraid.

Well, that clears things up.

Drdenise75 · 04-01-2018 09:23AM

the beer revolu wrote: »

Well, that clears things up.

The beef was not seared... it was cooked! It was big thick slices of rare roast beef! But if you don't believe me then try it for yourself. It was very good it just wasn't seared carpaccio.

northgirl · 04-01-2018 09:39AM

Markcheese wrote: »

The Crawford cafe would be another on the traditional side, and really good..

Have been served raw pancakes there and really turned me off it TBH.

The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

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