The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

Gamb!t · 25-04-2019 01:28PM

who_me wrote: »

Jesus, that's a very random list.

Orso? Spitjacks? Cornstore? Rossini's? No idea what they're basing this on, unless it's a matter of getting publicity/hits..

There was a time it might have been in top 10 but that was years ago,certainly not now.

Igotadose · 25-04-2019 03:42PM

Going to be near Bon Secours hospital tomorrow for lunch. Any recommendations? Not seeing a tonne of places on the Goog. Casual dining with some vegetarian choices would be best, Indian or Asian food good, too. Thanks.

SusieBlue · 25-04-2019 03:48PM

Igotadose wrote: »

Going to be near Bon Secours hospital tomorrow for lunch. Any recommendations? Not seeing a tonne of places on the Goog. Casual dining with some vegetarian choices would be best, Indian or Asian food good, too. Thanks.

Probably best off heading into town. College Rd. isn't too far from the city center, you could walk it no problem.

fin12 · 25-04-2019 03:52PM

Igotadose wrote: »

Going to be near Bon Secours hospital tomorrow for lunch. Any recommendations? Not seeing a tonne of places on the Goog. Casual dining with some vegetarian choices would be best, Indian or Asian food good, too. Thanks.

Ramen on Victoria cross, not far walk from the hospital.

Oafley Jones · 25-04-2019 07:50PM

Igotadose wrote: »

Going to be near Bon Secours hospital tomorrow for lunch. Any recommendations? Not seeing a tonne of places on the Goog. Casual dining with some vegetarian choices would be best, Indian or Asian food good, too. Thanks.

As you can guess from the name Sicilian Delights, are neither Indian or Asian, but it's just around the corner and their gnocchi is excellent. Great value, tiny inside though, so can get quite busy. Noted vegetarian restaurant Cafe Paradiso is really very near as well.

Squatter · 25-04-2019 07:54PM

Igotadose wrote: »

Going to be near Bon Secours hospital tomorrow for lunch. Any recommendations? Not seeing a tonne of places on the Goog. Casual dining with some vegetarian choices would be best, Indian or Asian food good, too. Thanks.

Cross the river and try Iyers. Walking distance, if dry.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo · 25-04-2019 08:24PM

Lia_lia wrote: »

Yeah sometimes I see strange restaurants in the top 10 on Tripadvisor. At the moment it's...

1- Golden Elephant. Take away and sit down restaurant. Really like it there, great Thai food.

2- Elbow Lane. Fantastic restaurant for steaks especially.

3- Cafe Spresso. Small cafe on Mc Curtain street. No idea why it's on the list. Never been. Nearly all the reviews say "Review collected in partnership with this restaurant". Wonder do you get money off for leaving a review.

4- Haveli. Indian in Douglas, very popular. Can't say I enjoyed it myself but must try again.

5- Paradiso. Veggie restaurant. Fab food. Very highly regarded and popular.

6- South County. Popular bar in Douglas. Never got food there myself. That's 3 places in Douglas in the top 10 so far! I guess a lot of people live there judging by the traffic...

7- Koto. Best Asian street food sort of place in Cork in my opinion.

8- Market Lane. Surprised this isn't higher on the list. One of the best and most popular in Cork city.

9- Liberty Grill. Another popular breakfast, lunch and dinner restaurant. Nice but nothing amazing.

10- Fran Well. Busy pub. They sell great pizza. Very popular with tourists so probably gets lots of reviews from them.

Cafe Spresso shouldn't realistically be on that list. It'd struggle to make the top 10 of places to eat on MacCurtain Street, let alone the whole City for cripes sake.

It's a cheap and cheerful place. Get a big feed for not an expensive price. So I'm not putting the place down. If you want a standard big full Irish breakfast with tea/coffee then I'd recommend it for sure. If you expect any sort of high quality or gourmet experience it will disappoint.

H8GHOTI · 25-04-2019 10:20PM

Squatter wrote: »

Igotadose wrote: »

Going to be near Bon Secours hospital tomorrow for lunch. Any recommendations? Not seeing a tonne of places on the Goog. Casual dining with some vegetarian choices would be best, Indian or Asian food good, too. Thanks.

Cross the river and try Iyers. Walking distance, if dry.

Think you might be confusing the Bons & the Mercy.

Nigel Fairservice · 26-04-2019 12:06AM

Speaking of hospitals I had a hospital appointment on Tuesday. I was a bit early for my appointment so I said I'd try the Coffee Doc in CUH. Just had a latte. I wasn't expecting wonders or anything but it was bad...and I'm no coffee connoisseur. The thing was stone cold. They charged €3.30 for it. That's what I pay for coffee in Nero's, the Bookshelf and The Oliver Plunkett. I know they have a captive audience in the hospital but it was like they weren't even trying.

Nonoperational · 26-04-2019 07:22AM

Nigel Fairservice wrote: »

Speaking of hospitals I had a hospital appointment on Tuesday. I was a bit early for my appointment so I said I'd try the Coffee Doc in CUH. Just had a latte. I wasn't expecting wonders or anything but it was bad...and I'm no coffee connoisseur. The thing was stone cold. They charged €3.30 for it. That's what I pay for coffee in Nero's, the Bookshelf and The Oliver Plunkett. I know they have a captive audience in the hospital but it was like they weren't even trying.

There's a new cafe in CUH now which is much better. Worth a try next time.

run_Forrest_run · 26-04-2019 07:26AM

Nigel Fairservice wrote: »

Speaking of hospitals I had a hospital appointment on Tuesday. I was a bit early for my appointment so I said I'd try the Coffee Doc in CUH. Just had a latte. I wasn't expecting wonders or anything but it was bad...and I'm no coffee connoisseur. The thing was stone cold. They charged €3.30 for it. That's what I pay for coffee in Nero's, the Bookshelf and The Oliver Plunkett. I know they have a captive audience in the hospital but it was like they weren't even trying.

Did you say it to them? of course they weren't trying, and they definitely won't try if they know they won't be pulled up over it.

Years ago I remember a Coffee Station cafe in the maternity hospital and they served excellent coffee.

the beer revolu · 26-04-2019 12:31PM

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

Cafe Spresso shouldn't realistically be on that list. It'd struggle to make the top 10 of places to eat on MacCurtain Street, let alone the whole City for cripes sake.

It's a cheap and cheerful place. Get a big feed for not an expensive price. So I'm not putting the place down. If you want a standard big full Irish breakfast with tea/coffee then I'd recommend it for sure. If you expect any sort of high quality or gourmet experience it will disappoint.

Thing is that is a list of the top scoring restrsants as rated by the users. It's not a list of the finest gourmet restaurants. If a restaurant consistently satisfies its customers, it will do well.
I could just as easily rate a greasy spoon as high or higher as a fancy pants restaurant if it does what it does well at a good price.

Squatter · 26-04-2019 11:08PM

H8GHOTI wrote: »

Think you might be confusing the Bons & the Mercy.

I was.

Sorry 'bout that.

Thephantomsmask · 27-04-2019 04:40PM

Nonoperational wrote: »

There's a new cafe in CUH now which is much better. Worth a try next time.

It is called the fastnet lounge, it is at the back of the canteen by the church. It is cheaper than the coffee doc and much nicer imo. I have been having their raspberry scones at my breaktime far too often since they opened

Nigel Fairservice · 28-04-2019 11:16AM

Nonoperational wrote: »

There's a new cafe in CUH now which is much better. Worth a try next time.

Thanks, will check it out the next time.

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

Did you say it to them? of course they weren't trying, and they definitely won't try if they know they won't be pulled up over it.

Years ago I remember a Coffee Station cafe in the maternity hospital and they served excellent coffee.

No, didn't say it but probably should have asked for a new one. I had a busy morning at work before the appointment and I just wanted a few minutes to myself before seeing my neurologist.

Nigel Fairservice · 28-04-2019 07:23PM

I tried Bocelli's today for lunch. The pasta dish was tasty but on the small side. I thought it was a bit pricey as well for what we got. It was middle of the road, not amazing, not terrible.

Harika · 28-04-2019 07:48PM

Was at the Gourmet Food Truck in Courtmacsherry, great little spot with really good food that well earns its name.
Also went there to the Golden Pheasant, that was not visible by street and great coffee and home made cakes/ice cream while sitting outside and enjoying the sun.

Pembroke-restaurant in the Imperial hotel. Presentation of the food is really good, the food itself I wouldn't recommend, highly overpriced too for what you get. Portion size make up for the lack of ambition. Like the nachos lacked cheese and were crumbled.

byronbay2 · 29-04-2019 11:37AM

Anyone else joining us hobnobs in The Raven this evening? Four-course meal, each course provided by a different Michelin-starred chef. Tickets are pricey (€225 each) but all proceeds go to Penny Dinners and Simon. I'm like a child on Christmas Eve!

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/michelin-star-winning-chefs-to-raise-money-for-cork-homeless-charities-916315.html

what the hell! · 29-04-2019 12:27PM

byronbay2 wrote: »

Anyone else joining us hobnobs in The Raven this evening? Four-course meal, each course provided by a different Michelin-starred chef. Tickets are pricey (€225 each) but all proceeds go to Penny Dinners and Simon. I'm like a child on Christmas Eve!

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/michelin-star-winning-chefs-to-raise-money-for-cork-homeless-charities-916315.html

Oh wow have a ball! I would have loved to go only the price put me off a bit.

29-04-2019 12:28PM

That looks great....and a great cause....be sure and report back!!enjoy!!

rob316 · 29-04-2019 08:19PM

Spitjack at the weekend I was in for dinner. To say it was poor is an understatement. I had the roast chicken meal, the chicken was nice but the rest was so bland and boring. The driest gratin ever, no seasoning on the vegetables, they managed to make the jus absolutely tasteless, the tiniest ball of stuffing.

It was like a carvery and a disgrace to be charging 20 quid a plate for.

Dessert was creme brulee it was nice but any restaurant shouldn't be able to mess that up.

It's meant to be this up market roitisserie but it's just bang average.

I was there twice when it opened and that's the last time I'm going.

Can't understand the good reviews. Around the same price as market lane but not half as good.

limnam · 29-04-2019 08:21PM

rob316 wrote: »

Spitjack at the weekend I was in for dinner. To say it was poor is an understatement. I had the roast chicken meal, the chicken was nice but the rest was so bland and boring. The driest gratin ever, no seasoning on the vegetables, they managed to make the jus absolutely tasteless, the tiniest ball of stuffing.

It was like a carvery and a disgrace to be charging 20 quid a plate for.

Dessert was creme brulee it was nice but any restaurant shouldn't be able to mess that up.

It's meant to be this up market roitisserie but it's just bang average.

I was there twice when it opened and that's the last time I'm going.

Can't understand the good reviews. Around the same price as market lane but not half as good.

Did you tell them?

rob316 · 29-04-2019 08:29PM

limnam wrote: »

Did you tell them?

I've told them once before for lunch the food wasn't up to scratch.

To be honest I didn't then as I was with my wife and didn't want to make her uneasy.

I must be some oddball it's 5 star galore reviews for them online.

Mardyke · 29-04-2019 09:34PM

rob316 wrote: »

I've told them once before for lunch the food wasn't up to scratch.

To be honest I didn't then as I was with my wife and didn't want to make her uneasy.

I must be some oddball it's 5 star galore reviews for them online.

Ive only been there once, but I thought the exact same. I'd give them the benefit of the doubt but wouldn't be rushing back when there are so many decent places to try.

Went to Burnt last week. Not bad at all. Good pizza, nice place, very friendly staff. Will be back.

whatever76 · 29-04-2019 10:20PM

byronbay2 wrote: »

Anyone else joining us hobnobs in The Raven this evening? Four-course meal, each course provided by a different Michelin-starred chef. Tickets are pricey (€225 each) but all proceeds go to Penny Dinners and Simon. I'm like a child on Christmas Eve!

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/michelin-star-winning-chefs-to-raise-money-for-cork-homeless-charities-916315.html

Well how was it ?

byronbay2 · 29-04-2019 11:16PM

whatever76 wrote: »

Well how was it ?

Here is the menu, if you want to see it.

Absolutely wonderful evening with a meal that I will never forget. Highlights were the swordfish stew and the unctuous, slow-cooked short rib. Great atmosphere and each chef came around to your table after his course and was happy to chat and discuss the food.

Surprise was the smoked Belvelly (Hederrnan) butter, which gave a “fishy” tang to the bread. Also, the alcohol flowed with 2 (delicious) cocktails on arrival, 2 glasses of white wine, a glass of red, a cedar-wood box full of sake and a glass of champagne, leading to a steady rise in chatter volume between 18.00 and 21.00.

The time absolutely flew and we almost had to be kicked out to let the second sitting in! Envied them as we walked out the door!

pwurple · 30-04-2019 07:41AM

Thanks for posting, looks amazing.

How was this? "Sheep's yoghurt with clove and brown butter."
Sounds absolutely revolting, but was probably nice? Was it a dessert?

whatever76 · 30-04-2019 08:35AM

byronbay2 wrote: »

Here is the menu, if you want to see it.

Absolutely wonderful evening with a meal that I will never forget. Highlights were the swordfish stew and the unctuous, slow-cooked short rib. Great atmosphere and each chef came around to your table after his course and was happy to chat and discuss the food.

Surprise was the smoked Belvelly (Hederrnan) butter, which gave a “fishy” tang to the bread. Also, the alcohol flowed with 2 (delicious) cocktails on arrival, 2 glasses of white wine, a glass of red, a cedar-wood box full of sake and a glass of champagne, leading to a steady rise in chatter volume between 18.00 and 21.00.

The time absolutely flew and we almost had to be kicked out to let the second sitting in! Envied them as we walked out the door!

Sounds fab thanks for posting !!! Saw some pics on twitter this morning - looked like a great event !

byronbay2 · 01-05-2019 12:43AM

pwurple wrote: »

Thanks for posting, looks amazing.

How was this? "Sheep's yoghurt with clove and brown butter."
Sounds absolutely revolting, but was probably nice? Was it a dessert?

Would you believe, you have raised the most pertinent question of the entire night? My wife and I debated whether we (i.e I) should bring it up with Rob Krawczyk (I call him Rob now!) afterwards but I didn't have the grapes to do it in the end.

We discussed what this dessert might look/taste like for 15 minutes before arrival but when it came it tasted like nothing more than a creamy lemon sorbet with some kind of compressed white wafer covering it. Now, it was tasty and all but did not correspond with the menu description in any way; there was certainly no taste of clove whatsoever.

I wonder was there a last-minute change to the dessert for some reason? Or maybe I just know nothing about michelin-starred food but it was certainly the main topic of debate in the taxi home. If anyone has any more info regarding this, I would love to hear it.

byronbay2 · 01-05-2019 12:45AM

pwurple wrote: »

Thanks for posting, looks amazing.

How was this? "Sheep's yoghurt with clove and brown butter."
Sounds absolutely revolting, but was probably nice? Was it a dessert?

Would you believe, you have raised the most pertinent question of the entire night? My wife and I debated whether we (i.e I) should bring it up with Rob Krawczyk (I call him Rob now!) afterwards but I didn't have the grapes to do it in the end.

We discussed what this dessert might look/taste like for 15 minutes before arrival but when it came it tasted like nothing more than a creamy lemon sorbet with some kind of compressed white wafer covering it. Now, it was tasty and all but did not correspond with the menu description in any way; there was certainly no taste of clove whatsoever.

I wonder was there a last-minute change to the dessert for some reason? Or maybe I just know nothing about Michelin-starred food but it was certainly the main topic of debate in the taxi home. If anyone has any more info regarding this, I would love to hear it.

The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

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