The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

Nonoperational · 14-06-2018 08:41PM

Was there recently. Very average I thought. Not unpleasant, but nothing at all to write home about.

snotboogie · 15-06-2018 07:45AM

Nonoperational wrote: »

Was there recently. Very average I thought. Not unpleasant, but nothing at all to write home about.

Agree completely. In my opinion Koto is way behind the likes of Khao in Mallow and Kubo in Douglas.

D'Agger · 15-06-2018 08:14AM

Really, really need to try Kubo in Douglas soon

pwurple · 15-06-2018 10:24AM

Went to Ichigoichi.
It won't be for everyone, bring your grown-up palate. But for me, I just loved it. We were all delighted at our table, the whole meal was an adventure. From the second we went in the door we were no longer in Cork. Even the loo is one of those Japanese high tech loos with buttons and beeps.
12 courses, starting very light with small bowls, nigiri, soups. Then onto meatier and fish dishes. Amazingly delicious mochi chocolate jameson dessert, kinda eastern/western combo. Loved it. The food is a work of art. The service is lovely.

I didn't have wine, had a very good plum saki.
It's expensive, special occasion place.

And here's an example. This was a Seaweed pressed oyster, with jelly (pepper jelly? god I've forgotten already), on some seaweed and Japanese lemon. Preserved monkfish with chilli, and bonito with garlic. Nastursiums, chive flowers, other petals.

Malari · 15-06-2018 10:29AM

Fantastic! That's not a dish that was served when I was there a month or so ago, so it's nice to see they are changing the menu periodically and with what's in season. If you wanted to go more than, say once in a lifetime :pac:

the beer revolu · 15-06-2018 10:32AM

Malari wrote: »

Fantastic! That's not a dish that was served when I was there a month or so ago, so it's nice to see they are changing the menu periodically and with what's in season. If you wanted to go more than, say once in a lifetime :pac:

It seems to be monthly menus.
It really is outstanding if you are into food adventures.

sporina · 15-06-2018 08:07PM

with regards to Ichigo Ichie - for those of you who have been - have you had much japanese cuisine before?
like i would assume that that type of cuisine is not something one would go for unless they had a taste for it?

as a foodie I am interested.. though I don't think that this place would be for me as I don't have a savoury palate

pwurple · 15-06-2018 11:37PM

Yes and no. I like Japanese food in general. Really like fresh fish, nigiri, sushi, yes please... but some textures in Japan I find hard going, gelatinous stuff I mean. I am not mad about that particular texture, and it is very common in Asia . Especially, the jelly-like Japanese desserts I find hard to stomach.

Ichigoichi definitely caters to locally available ingredients and the dessert, I would have eaten ten of those...

the beer revolu · 16-06-2018 08:57AM

sporina wrote: »

with regards to Ichigo Ichie - for those of you who have been - have you had much japanese cuisine before?
like i would assume that that type of cuisine is not something one would go for unless they had a taste for it?

as a foodie I am interested.. though I don't think that this place would be for me as I don't have a savoury palate

I'm not sure what a foodie without a savoury palate is. You only like desserts?

I had no great experience of Japanese food, really.. I've liked sushi and miso soup for a long time but that's more or less the extent of it. I don't like very strongly fishy flavours.

I found nothing terribly challenging on the pallet either flavourwise or texturewise but almost every single mouthful was an adventure of flavour and texture.

I want to go again.

sporina · 16-06-2018 12:49PM

the beer revolu wrote: »

I'm not sure what a foodie without a savoury palate is. You only like desserts?

I had no great experience of Japanese food, really.. I've liked sushi and miso soup for a long time but that's more or less the extent of it. I don't like very strongly fishy flavours.

I found nothing terribly challenging on the pallet either flavour wise or texture wise but almost every single mouthful was an adventure of flavour and texture.

I want to go again.

No i guess I mean, perhaps - not a fan of savoury/salty or umami..

Like I don't like crisps or cheese per se.. and I don't get red meat at all..

And textures I know that I don't like are dumplings or noodles and i prob would not like the gelatinous textures described about..

Never had sushi as I don't think i would like it - though i know I should try it.. don't like the cold or salt elements.

My fav foods would be of a sweet/sour profile (obs not just deserts).. with some elements of savoury..

As in I love Thai food - anything with lemongrass, chilli, thai basil, garlic, ginger etc.. but I hate strong soy sauce.. I only use low salt at home..

I love Italian flavours like a fish or chicken dish with a tomato or white wine/lemon sauce etc..

This might paint a picture of why Japanese food has never appealed to me,, though I know I should try it sometime.. but not €95's worth lol

Harika · 16-06-2018 01:18PM

sporina wrote: »

This might paint a picture of why Japanese food has never appealed to me,, though I know I should try it sometime.. but not €95's worth lol

It's 8 euros per course, even if you don't like 2-3 courses it will still give you a great overview of the Japanese cuisine and you can then build on that.
Some time ago we went to ivory Tower and we took the tasting menu, myself or my partner would have never tried pigs feet but they were delicious.
Still my partner wouldn't eat everything so I was the hoover.

sporina · 16-06-2018 01:38PM

Harika wrote: »

It's 8 euros per course, even if you don't like 2-3 courses it will still give you a great overview of the Japanese cuisine and you can then build on that.
Some time ago we went to ivory Tower and we took the tasting menu, myself or my partner would have never tried pigs feet but they were delicious.
Still my partner wouldn't eat everything so I was the hoover.

break it down how you like its €95.. and for something I suspect I won't like..

need to try Miyazaki first

Nonoperational · 16-06-2018 01:45PM

sporina wrote: »

No i guess I mean, perhaps - not a fan of savoury/salty or umami..

Like I don't like crisps or cheese per se.. and I don't get red meat at all..

And textures I know that I don't like are dumplings or noodles and i prob would not like the gelatinous textures described about..

Never had sushi as I don't think i would like it - though i know I should try it.. don't like the cold or salt elements.

My fav foods would be of a sweet/sour profile (obs not just deserts).. with some elements of savoury..

As in I love Thai food - anything with lemongrass, chilli, thai basil, garlic, ginger etc.. but I hate strong soy sauce.. I only use low salt at home..

I love Italian flavours like a fish or chicken dish with a tomato or white wine/lemon sauce etc..

This might paint a picture of why Japanese food has never appealed to me,, though I know I should try it sometime.. but not €95's worth lol

Not being smart, but if you don't like crisps, cheese, meat, dumplings, noodles, sushi, cold or salty foods.... don't bother with it. That's an incredibly restrictive list.

limnam · 16-06-2018 02:01PM

Nonoperational wrote: »

Not being smart, but if you don't like crisps, cheese, meat, dumplings, noodles, sushi, cold or salty foods.... don't bother with it. That's an incredibly restrictive list.

Reminds of the foodies who used to be on come dine with me rhyming off all the things they don't like/won't eat. :pac:

.red. · 16-06-2018 05:14PM

limnam wrote: »

Reminds of the foodies who used to be on come dine with me rhyming off all the things they don't like/won't eat. :pac:

Sure most of them are gluten free now too!

sporina · 16-06-2018 05:32PM

Nonoperational wrote: »

Not being smart, but if you don't like crisps, cheese, meat, dumplings, noodles, sushi, cold or salty foods.... don't bother with it. That's an incredibly restrictive list.

yes this is why I am reluctant.. era might try Miyzaki sometime.. maybe

I defo need to try Sushi...

and yes Limnam, I am definitely a foodie - doesn't mean I like all food..

i am willing to try most food - but not silly enough to pay €95 for something i am sure I don't like..

I don't get the chance to eat at all the places I want to never mind those I don't.. so why would I?!

PS Anyone who likes all food has no taste buds imo

Nonoperational · 16-06-2018 06:19PM

Try good sushi. It's really great. Very important it's good though. Some bad bad sushi around.

sporina · 17-06-2018 12:25AM

Nonoperational wrote: »

Try good sushi. It's really great. Very important it's good though. Some bad bad sushi around.

so where would you recommend?

CR 7 · 17-06-2018 11:55AM

sporina wrote: »

so where would you recommend?

Sakura or Miyazaki for me anyway.

sporina · 17-06-2018 01:10PM

CR 7 wrote: »

Sakura or Miyazaki for me anyway.

what about dashi deli? and isn't there a place on oliver plunkett street - upstairs ?

CR 7 · 17-06-2018 01:24PM

sporina wrote: »

what about dashi deli? and isn't there a place on oliver plunkett street - upstairs ?

Tried dashi deli once when Miyazaki was closed while they were preparing for the new restaurant and I wasn't really impressed with it. Maybe I'm being a bit harsh but I couldn't see much of a difference between it and the stuff you get in some supermarkets, whereas the other 2 are made to order high quality food. I'm by no means a sushi expert though so I could be completely wrong, but that was my own opinion of them anyway.

Haven't had sushi anywhere else in Cork.

what the hell! · 17-06-2018 02:02PM

I’m no sushi expert but I always find the sushi from the guy in the English Market very tasty. And good miso soup!

Surreptitious · 17-06-2018 08:15PM

Sakura has very nice sushi imo.

D'Agger · 18-06-2018 10:46AM

Thought I had posted about this before but ate in Jacobs on the Mall recently for the first time which I'm now ashamed of, given how long I'm living in the city.

Absolutely loved it, had a two course special menu because I really wanted the pasta dish and the Lemon Curd tart with ginger ice cream and pistacios was one of the best deserts I've had in recent memory.

Must take the parents there next time they're up, Isaacs is our usual go-to but I really enjoyed the atmosphere, light, greenery etc. in Jacobs.

GavRedKing · 18-06-2018 10:46AM

Had a West Cork Burger out at the Summershow yesterday and I'll definitely be popping in next time im in town.

pwurple · 18-06-2018 11:40AM

Just wanted to pop in and recommend the Walk the Long Table event in the midsummer festival. We went last week, it was a lot of fun, and ridiculously good value.
You are escorted by a chef / owner of restaurant, around 8 venues, with food and drink at each one, and a chat with each chef. (Food is small plates, you're not going to be stuffed an oyster in one, or a chilled soup in another). Our route was docklands, imperial hotel, jacobs on the mall, fish bar in the electric, nash 19, farmgate, oyster tavern and ali's kitchen.

Walk the Long Table

D'Agger · 18-06-2018 11:50AM

That's a really good route, I haven't been to Nash 19 in a long time too come to think of it

Mardyke · 18-06-2018 06:26PM

Each to their own, but that Long Table thing is losing the run of itself.

It's a fantastic idea, and I was interested in it until I heard it cost €95! What a rip off.

And now the same shower are shaking people down for €65 to listen to the likes of Cantillon waffle on with a few tapas! You'd expect it from the CBA and Nash sort of crowd.

I suppose if people are willing to do it...!

pwurple · 19-06-2018 06:35AM

Mardyke wrote: »

Each to their own, but that Long Table thing is losing the run of itself.

It's a fantastic idea, and I was interested in it until I heard it cost €95! What a rip off.

And now the same shower are shaking people down for €65 to listen to the likes of Cantillon waffle on with a few tapas! You'd expect it from the CBA and Nash sort of crowd.

I suppose if people are willing to do it...!

Oh it didn’t take long for the moaning Marys to come out and diss initiative again.
Have you been to either before weighing in? Oh.. wait, let me guess. Of course not.

Righto, 8 plates of food plus 8 glasses of wine / g&ts etc is SUCH a rip off for 65, with entertaining speakers chucked in. Rack of lamb, cheese platters, oysters, fancy coffees. I felt so ripped off.

The long table is a well run, decent set up, with no sponsor. No Diaggio, no musgrave, no anything. You will not see massive advertising bunting, because it is organised and run by 12 small businesses coming together in Cork city. To close the street, hire the tables, napkins, staff, cutlery etc, is coming in at around 75 euro a head to provide. And all the drink you can drink available at those little bus stops. A shed load of unpaid volunteers is what makes it work.

400 seats were sold out in 3 minutes. They could have doubled the price. Who exactly do you think is making money off this?

I wonder what comparable population cities in the UK are doing this summer with their restaurants. Hopping cultural life over in Slough and Blackburn I’d say.

No chance of some encouragement or support for those people working their asses off to make our city a nicer place to live anyway.

happyday · 19-06-2018 06:43AM

It sounds amazing. Where do you watch out for tickets if it sells out so quickly?

The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

Comments