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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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Mardyke

Cherry_Cola wrote: »

I see Sliced in the city are doing offers through Pigsback now, not a great sign.

They have been since day 1 I'd say. They seem to be doing ok in Ballincollig, although I always get the feeling they are not run very well. Simple small things like not having tables set up outside recently when the weather was fine... and when we went inside seeing a large table taken over with random supplies and crap.

They do great pizza and the staff are nice so it'd be a shame if they came undone by poor management.

limnam

Mardyke wrote: »

They have been since day 1 I'd say. They seem to be doing ok in Ballincollig, although I always get the feeling they are not run very well. Simple small things like not having tables set up outside recently when the weather was fine... and when we went inside seeing a large table taken over with random supplies and crap.

They do great pizza and the staff are nice so it'd be a shame if they came undone by poor management.

They've had tables and chairs setup outside ballincollig any day the weather was nice recently.

Mardyke

limnam wrote: »

They've had tables and chairs setup outside ballincollig any day the weather was nice recently.

Good to hear. Thanks.

Because they have a ready made plaza area there. Ideal for an al fresco glass of wine and bite to eat of a Friday.

limnam

Mardyke wrote: »

Good to hear. Thanks.

Because they have a ready made plaza area there. Ideal for an al fresco glass of wine and bite to eat of a Friday.

Yep they'd be mad not to make sure of it.

Was pretty busy on the plazza last week, it's great to see.

Their oragnic montepulciano is decent too

pwurple

WhoElse wrote: »

Quick one. What's the worst named eatery in the city/country?

Right away there's the unfortunate spitjack. Oh, and Tequila Jacks (two words that tell you how a Mexican party can begin and end).

Any others?

Yes, spitting and jacking are not what I want near my dinner. I like the place, bar the name.

[Deleted User]

WhoElse wrote: »

Me too, used to work there 24 years ago!

The old Annie's is such a loss. Really loved going there as it was easy to get to and the food was great.

It was a pity it went so far downhill when the new owner came in a few years ago and I was not one bit surprised when it closed.

I think I had my worst dining experience ever a few months before it did close - a 20e bowl of stew that was 90 % carrots and a few slices of white bread!

[Deleted User]

whatever76 wrote: »

Greens isn't that far off either along with Les Gormandize - you are very limited in the city I think for that special occasion dinner ( just my opinion now). would you consider SAGE in Middleton or perhaps somewhere in kinsale e.g http://www.bastionkinsale.com/

Les Gourmandise is nowhere near 5 star in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, it is nice, but it's pretty standard French cuisine.

limnam

Deleted User wrote: »

but it's pretty standard French cuisine.

I think the French would disagree.

It's way off the mark and as you said no where near 5 star.

We could really do with a good french spot

[Deleted User]

limnam wrote: »

I think the French would disagree.

It's way off the mark and as you said no where near 5 star.

We could really do with a good french spot

Of course. It's Irish-French if you know what I mean. I guess the point is that while I have been back several times (got three vouchers for there when I got married!) I always come away pretty underwhelmed.

limnam

Deleted User wrote: »

I always come away pretty underwhelmed.

#metoo

The fact that it gets such high praise is mind boggling.

[Deleted User]

limnam wrote: »

I think the French would disagree.

It's way off the mark and as you said no where near 5 star.

We could really do with a good french spot

By the same token, are there any genuine Italian restaurants in Cork? I've been to Il Padrino and the other one near there (Milano's maybe) and neither are authentically Italian in my opinion and the food is average.

I lived next to one of Mick Wallace's Italian restaurants in Dublin for years - cheap but really good ingredients - and miss authentic Italian food.

Malari

Deleted User wrote: »

By the same token, are there any genuine Italian restaurants in Cork? I've been to Il Padrino and the other one near there (Milano's maybe) and neither are authentically Italian in my opinion and the food is average.

I lived next to one of Mick Wallace's Italian restaurants in Dublin for years - cheap but really good ingredients - and miss authentic Italian food.

Damirco on Bridge St and La Dolce Vita on Proby's Quay are both "genuine" Italian. Also Italee on Oliver Plunkett St...although I think that's only open for lunch.

[Deleted User]

Malari wrote: »

Damirco on Bridge St and La Dolce Vita on Proby's Quay are both "genuine" Italian. Also Italee on Oliver Plunkett St...although I think that's only open for lunch.

Thanks for tips.

I am not being snobbish when I say 'genuine' by the way. Often the genuine Italians are cheap, but use fresh, quality ingredients like they would in Italian cooking. Lots of the Italians in Cork are just an Irish interpretation of Italian food with heavy, salty pasta sauces.

I used to like La Dolce Vita a lot, but was there for family meal a few months ago and it seemed to have gone way back. Was disappointed.

I know Mirco who used to work in the Farm Gate so am looking forward to trying his place on Bridge Street. Is it open yet and has anyone been?

Malari

Deleted User wrote: »

Thanks for tips.

I am not being snobbish when I say 'genuine' by the way. Often the genuine Italians are cheap, but use fresh, quality ingredients like they would in Italian cooking. Lots of the Italians in Cork are just an Irish interpretation of Italian food with heavy, salty pasta sauces.

I used to like La Dolce Vita a lot, but was there for family meal a few months ago and it seemed to have gone way back. Was disappointed.

I know Mirco who used to work in the Farm Gate so am looking forward to trying his place on Bridge Street. Is it open yet and has anyone been?

Oh I wasn't being arch by putting genuine in inverted commas

These places are run by Italians.

I was in Mirco's place last week and enjoyed it. He had only started doing dinner but the service was great, food was lovely - simple but tasty. Wine list (of course) was decent! I'd like to try it again. He's planning on having maybe more than one meat and fish special on the menu in the future.

[Deleted User]

Malari wrote: »

Oh I wasn't being arch by putting genuine in inverted commas These places are run by Italians.

I was in Mirco's place last week and enjoyed it. He had only started doing dinner but the service was great, food was lovely - simple but tasty. Wine list (of course) was decent! I'd like to try it again. He's planning on having maybe more than one meat and fish special on the menu in the future.

Cool, will definitely go to Mirco's place in the next few weeks. Thanks!

Cork Lass

Deleted User wrote: »

By the same token, are there any genuine Italian restaurants in Cork? I've been to Il Padrino and the other one near there (Milano's maybe) and neither are authentically Italian in my opinion and the food is average.

I completely agree re Il Padrino, it’s distinctly average at best. Would never wilfully go there but a friend of mine loves it so I have to endure it on occasion. Milano is just a fast food restaurant imo. Italee is very nice, I’ve had some nice lunches there.

brevity

Yea, italee is very good.

Nonoperational

Gallo and Galetti may not be the most authentic, but it's really good.

sporina

Cork Lass wrote: »

I completely agree re Il Padrino, it’s distinctly average at best. Would never wilfully go there but a friend of mine loves it so I have to endure it on occasion. Milano is just a fast food restaurant imo. Italee is very nice, I’ve had some nice lunches there.

from memory the pizza in milano's is not bad?? or was i eating with rose tinted glasses (cos I know that a lot of their food is v processed)

Cork Lass

sporina wrote: »

from memory the pizza in milano's is not bad?? or was i eating with rose tinted glasses (cos I know that a lot of their food is v processed)

TBF you could be right, I never order pizza when I’m out so I couldn’t say. Their pastas etc are not great by any standard.

.red.

Bacco in ballincollig (not city I know) is supposed to be lovely. It's run by an Italian lad and his Irish wife.
I've never been myself but know a few people who have and they all liked it.

Cedrus

Deleted User wrote: »

By the same token, are there any genuine Italian restaurants in Cork? I've been to Il Padrino and the other one near there (Milano's maybe) and neither are authentically Italian in my opinion and the food is average.

I lived next to one of Mick Wallace's Italian restaurants in Dublin for years - cheap but really good ingredients - and miss authentic Italian food.

Last time I was in Il Padrinos, I ordered Osso Bucco and got a full lamb shank, wrong cut of the right joint of a different animal! It's no wonder the Italians are outraged by what is done to their cuisine.
I like lamb shank and would have no problem ordering it, but why pretend it's something it's not.

[Deleted User]

Nonoperational wrote: »

Gallo and Galetti may not be the most authentic, but it's really good.

Yeah, I like Galo and Galetti and go there quite a bit simply because I live very near it and it's so well run. It's come on massively in the last 2-3 years and is doing a huge trade as it's the only decent restaurant in Bishopstown which is remarkable given the size of the place.

But, as you say, Galo and Galetti is not an authentic Italian. Their pasta dishes are huge, very salty and heavy. Again, it's much better than most Italians in Cork, but it's an Irish interpretation of Italian food, in my opinion.

[Deleted User]

.red. wrote: »

Bacco in ballincollig (not city I know) is supposed to be lovely. It's run by an Italian lad and his Irish wife.
I've never been myself but know a few people who have and they all liked it.

Great, will put this on my list and check it out. Thanks.

snotboogie

Cedrus wrote: »

Last time I was in Il Padrinos, I ordered Osso Bucco and got a full lamb shank, wrong cut of the right joint of a different animal! It's no wonder the Italians are outraged by what is done to their cuisine.
I like lamb shank and would have no problem ordering it, but why pretend it's something it's not.

Chinese is by far the worst adopted cuisine in Ireland. At least there are a few places in Dublin making an effort to get away from the bizarre gloopy tasteless basterdization that is ubiquitous here but in Cork nothing.

Dbu

snotboogie wrote: »

Chinese is by far the worst adopted cuisine in Ireland. At least there are a few places in Dublin making an effort to get away from the bizarre gloopy tasteless basterdization that is ubiquitous here but in Cork nothing.

Thanks, you have just reminded me of the ambassador restaurant....I miss that place:(

the beer revolu

snotboogie wrote: »

Chinese is by far the worst adopted cuisine in Ireland. At least there are a few places in Dublin making an effort to get away from the bizarre gloopy tasteless basterdization that is ubiquitous here but in Cork nothing.

Yuan Ming Yuan

They cater for people used to the standard European (it's not just Ireland) Chinese fare but they do some really good dim sum and other more interesting dishes. Infuriatingly, though, they often don't give out the good menu unless you ask for it.

ofcork

I see a cork hurler cahalane is opening a bar on hanover st with food supplied by rachels apparently,paul m involved as well.

Cedrus

snotboogie wrote: »

Chinese is by far the worst adopted cuisine in Ireland. At least there are a few places in Dublin making an effort to get away from the bizarre gloopy tasteless basterdization that is ubiquitous here but in Cork nothing.

The "Indian" restaurants are on a similar level of fakery, I wait till I have a trip to london for my indian fixes. One of the best indian meals I ever had was in a tatty little caff in bradford.
I lived in china for four years and most of the gack you'd get here would be unrecognisable my old buddies. Not that we'd want everything they eat over there, they cook some pretty esoteric bits of offal and love a bitter/sour/stinky fermentation.
But I think the worst bastardisation of national cuisine has to be "Thai", the crappy "chinese" restaurant wanted to stand out so relaunched as "Thai" but continued to cook he same gloopy dishes with different names and added chilli.

Thephantomsmask

Deleted User wrote: »

By the same token, are there any genuine Italian restaurants in Cork? I've been to Il Padrino and the other one near there (Milano's maybe) and neither are authentically Italian in my opinion and the food is average.

I lived next to one of Mick Wallace's Italian restaurants in Dublin for years - cheap but really good ingredients - and miss authentic Italian food.

Marcello's in Douglas is good, my Italian housemate introduced me to it. I had a lovely limoncello gelato the last time I was there.