Finest Restaurant in Cork?

probe · 12-07-2009 6:52pm

I live on the continent, and speaking generally, the raw materials of the food in Irish restaurants (where it is of Irish origin) is usually good to excellent. On the negative side, on occasions, the service is a bit dozy and unprofessional, and food portions are frequently over-sized.

Even a cup of coffee in a cafe tends to default to a mega 40cl mug of weak, poor quality (invariably Robusta) coffee, rather than a small quantity of Arabica coffee. Even if one expressly "screams" for an expresso, the usual retort is "double or single". The quality of the coffee making machines and the quality of the water (ie need of water filtering) is often ignored. Despite the astronomical price of a cup of coffee in Ireland. One can get an expresso in an Italian city of similar size to Cork for 90c. The cheapest and best expresso I have come across in Cork is 190c in one of the sidewalk glass boxes on the Grand Parade, near the city library.

Max001 · 15-07-2009 7:42pm

glanman wrote: »

Annies - Ballydehob 028-37292 is amazing

http://www.goireland.com/cork/annies-restaurant-attraction-restaurants-id3750.htm

O Connors Seafood - Bantry Not bad
http://www.oconnorseafood.com/

Blairs Cove as mentioned

Seacloud - just outside Bantry, suppose to be good, never been though

http://www.discoverireland.com/us/ireland-things-to-see-and-do/listings/product/?fid=FI_10258

Enjoy, hope the weather will be kind to ye:)

Cheers Glanman.....will work my way thru these over the summer. (if we get one!)

glanman · 16-07-2009 8:34am

I was wondering had you gone anywhere last weekend, I take it you didn't. Let me know how you get on anyway if/when you go to any of them!! WOuld be interested in other places you go to around Cork so reviews would be welcomed by me

gccorcaigh · 18-07-2009 4:56pm

I hate to compliment that twat Neil Prenderville, but the restaurant he is involved in ,The Boardwalk, is absolutely fab. Gorgeous food, staff are lovely, bar is gorgeous, great buzz. Couldnt recommend it enough.

gccorcaigh · 18-07-2009 4:57pm

oH also, Fishy Fishy in Kinsale!!

Kazbah · 05-08-2009 10:54pm

Everywhere can be hit and miss.
Milano's is actually worse than Luigi's though
For everyday eating out I like Market Lane
For something special I like Fenn's Quay or Star Anise

Elevelyn · 09-08-2009 10:43pm

Luigis can be ok but service is shocking, last time i went there was waiting 3/4 of an hour between courses and the place was empty so im never going again, spend too much to get so little!

Soho has delicous steak (best ive ever tasted)

The Boardwalk is good, yummy yummy mussels and lovely staff.

IMO the worst place to eat is the Strausborg Goose, burnt food all the time.

deRanged · 10-08-2009 7:28am

gccorcaigh wrote: »

I hate to compliment that twat Neil Prenderville, but the restaurant he is involved in ,The Boardwalk, is absolutely fab. Gorgeous food, staff are lovely, bar is gorgeous, great buzz. Couldnt recommend it enough.

I must disagree with that. lovely food, everything else was sub par, particularly the service.

Geog · 10-08-2009 2:18pm

Fishy Fishy in Kinsale is special. Man Friday's also in Kinsale for evening meal is VERY special.

Geog · 10-08-2009 2:19pm

If you don't want to travel out of town and stay middle of the road, Scoozis is fine. Soho's good too but neither of them for 'romantic' dinner.

Connie-Kal · 12-08-2009 11:03am

In Bandon - the Ploughman's pub (Clonakilty road) - great food but not sure of opening times.

Cafe Paradiso veggie restaurant is great also.

hatetherain! · 12-08-2009 11:18am

Agree Milano's is worse than Luigi's!

Best Restaurant in Cork and I'd go so far as to say Ireland is definately les Gourmandises.

Its really relaxed there with a lovely atmosphere. Food is fab every time! Ate there again last thursday they doing a special Market Menu E25 per person great value and good to see them reacting to the present economic situation.

Spoke to the lovely french lady (Think she the owner) and she told me that the chef gets a load of his food in the English market and goes and pick out his meat himself!:)

www.lesgourmandises.ie

hatetherain! · 12-08-2009 11:20am

Actually just read the web site! She is the owner and her husband is the chef!!!:)

14-08-2009 10:07am

JSK 252 wrote: »

Currans Restaurant I always thought was good.

http://www.curranscork.com/

The service in Currans is and always has been beyond bad. Easily the worst restaurant in the city for service, in my opinion.

Mumha wrote: »

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Restaurante Rossini on Princes Street. Without doubt it is the best Italian restaurant in Cork, at least.

I would say that Casanova on North Main Street is the best Italian restaurant in the city. I was very disappointed with Rossini's on each of the three occasions I ate there.

probe wrote: »

Even a cup of coffee in a cafe tends to default to a mega 40cl mug of weak, poor quality (invariably Robusta) coffee, rather than a small quantity of Arabica coffee. Even if one expressly "screams" for an expresso, the usual retort is "double or single".

In my experience it is nearly always Robusta coffee that makes the best espresso. I'll agree with the remark about oversized, watered down coffee being served. Most places don't need to have any special gadgetry to make good coffee but reading a few websites or magazines to ensure you're doing it right can't hurt either.

mickol · 14-08-2009 12:26pm

Obviously if your not familiar with the area stick to the greater City area but if you are familiar then BLAIR'S INN in Cloghroe outside Blarney is absolutely fantastic for food quality in a pleasant old world surrounding

http://www.blairsinn.ie

BurnsCarpenter · 16-08-2009 5:21pm

I actually really like Milano's for a casual pizza.

My faves would be Cafe Paradiso, Flemings, Ivory Tower.
Haven't tried Les Gourmandies.

Amtmann · 05-10-2009 11:45am

Okay, I was cajoled into dining at Luigi Malone's again last night and again, it was foul. Cheap goopy dross that is priced exorbitantly.

I like Market Lane now more than Gambieni's, which is not as nice as it used to be; it's still quite good though, and seems to have reduced its prices somewhat.

pwurple · 05-10-2009 2:07pm

Market Lane is consistantly good, has plenty of room, isn't over-priced.

Augustines would have been my special occasion place, but when I was walking past it at the weekend I noticed it's closed? A big For Sale sign up and all the furniture missing.

Anyone know if it's relocating or bust?

Ps
Rest of my fav's would be Les Gourmandises, Cafe Paradiso, Greenes.

Blairs Inn, The Thady Inn are great just outside of Cork city.

Milanos is run by Pizza Express is it? Luigi's is dire in my opinion, greasy revolting food, served in massive revolting portions. Another chain. Bleurg.

deRanged · 05-10-2009 2:09pm

pwurple wrote: »

Anyone know if it's relocating or bust?

I heard it's relocated but I've not been able to find it since. I fear the worst!

glanman · 05-10-2009 2:30pm

Furet wrote: »

Okay, I was cajoled into dining at Luigi Malone's again last night and again, it was foul. Cheap goopy dross that is priced exorbitantly.

I like Market Lane now more than Gambieni's, which is not as nice as it used to be; it's still quite good though, and seems to have reduced its prices somewhat.

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me"

rebel.ranter · 05-10-2009 7:21pm

deRanged wrote: »

I heard it's relocated but I've not been able to find it since. I fear the worst!

Their website is not working either:

http://www.augustines.ie/

And to the person that puts Scoozis in the good restaurant category, my God! They microwave pre-prepared food! How can that make it a good restaurant.

soundsham · 05-10-2009 10:54pm

mickol wrote: »

Obviously if your not familiar with the area stick to the greater City area but if you are familiar then BLAIR'S INN in Cloghroe outside Blarney is absolutely fantastic for food quality in a pleasant old world surrounding

http://www.blairsinn.ie

also known as a pub.........lol
nice food though,always worth a trip

If you really want to blow your mind otto's in dunworely if it's still there(been a few years)

go and stay there bring your own wine and have a lovely breakfast too the next morning

mimihops · 06-10-2009 10:42am

otto has retired, just to let you know, so the restaurant in dunworley is no more i'm afraid.

i really hope augustines is actually just relocating...it was a lovely restaurant, definitely my favourite in the city centre anyway. does anyone know anything about it?

EddyC15 · 06-10-2009 2:57pm

Market Lane on Oliver Plunkett St. is great. Went there recently with the girlfriend. Lovely meal. Their mashed potato is outstanding.

I went to Jacob's a few years ago with my family after my leaving cert. I have no complaints about the place. I remember that our waiter was dead on. Chatting away to me about results and stuff. The food was superb.

Bill-e · 06-10-2009 4:34pm

Panda Mommas was great for lunch today. Very fast service. Almost too fast...
But I was very happy with the top quality interior, food and price.

440Hz · 06-10-2009 4:45pm

Bill-e wrote: »

Panda Mommas

Where is that?

I love this thread! Making me hungry now. I need to find people who like going out for dinner

My friends don't see the point in it hhmmmmm!!

We should have a boardsies dinner out

deRanged · 06-10-2009 6:12pm

440Hz wrote: »

Where is that?

down by parnell place. lovely restaurant.

I love this thread! Making me hungry now. I need to find people who like going out for dinner My friends don't see the point in it hhmmmmm!!

foolish people. eating out rocks.

Miaireland · 06-10-2009 9:09pm

I love Eco in Douglas. The Crawford Gallery is nice fpr lunch. So is that place next to Meadow and Burns. Greens is good and so is Jacques in my experience. (although I have heard poor reviews from others). I enjoyed Fenns Quay.

I also enjoy the Thia place by the side of Debenhams (the Duck Soup thing) and also the Thia place in the Clarion.

I have had some lovely lunches in the lobby of the Kingsley overlooking the Lee.

Bill-e · 07-10-2009 8:33am

440Hz wrote: »

Where is that?

Yeah it's like right across the road from the sex shop... Bit unfortunate to be located there but once you get inside you'd not know where you were.
It's great if you are eating on lunch break in town cause you can eat and be out of there well under an hour.

440Hz · 07-10-2009 11:30am

Bill-e wrote: »

Yeah it's like right across the road from the sex shop...

deRanged wrote: »

down by parnell place. lovely restaurant.

ahhh ok :rolleyes:

hehe

deRanged · 07-10-2009 12:23pm

440Hz wrote: »

<insert puzzled lost look>

ahhh ok :rolleyes:

hehe

lol.

friend of mine used to work there. not the restaurant.

Illkillya · 07-10-2009 2:49pm

I had to go in there on a couple of occasions for something work-related. Not the restaurant. Not pleasant.

As for Panda Mama, I like it but it is certainly not great food, by no means a fine restaurant. It is a cheap Chinese slop, in a cheaply decorated warehouse, which suits me fine as it happens. Great value for lunch, extremely fast service and seems to be doing well.

Flipper · 11-10-2009 9:46pm

hatetherain! wrote: »

Agree Milano's is worse than Luigi's!

Best Restaurant in Cork and I'd go so far as to say Ireland is definately les Gourmandises.

Its really relaxed there with a lovely atmosphere. Food is fab every time! Ate there again last thursday they doing a special Market Menu E25 per person great value and good to see them reacting to the present economic situation.

Spoke to the lovely french lady (Think she the owner) and she told me that the chef gets a load of his food in the English market and goes and pick out his meat himself!:)

www.lesgourmandises.ie

Ate here last night and I have to say, it is outstanding.

evilivor · 12-10-2009 12:12pm

Flipper wrote: »

Ate here last night and I have to say, it is outstanding.

Tom Doorley would disagree, gave Les Gourmandises a pretty savage review in the Irish Times on Saturday.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/magazine/2009/1010/1224255949939.html

suppafly · 12-10-2009 10:06pm

Eco in douglas is a very good restaurant. Very good selection of food and very good prices. Have been consistently good for years. The place is always packed everynight. Went out there again tonight for my sister birthday.

hatetherain! · 13-10-2009 10:49am

evilivor wrote: »

Tom Doorley would disagree, gave Les Gourmandises a pretty savage review in the Irish Times on Saturday.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/magazine/2009/1010/1224255949939.html

In my opinion that review was soooo wrong!

Its unfair on Les Gourmandises, I will still go there though as I love the place:)

glanman · 27-10-2009 1:24pm

Anyone been to the silk purse, its the restaurant where the lobby was, and cruibin now or something.... Cool photo on the back of the Kerry examiner yday promoting its visiting chef...

Max001 · 27-10-2009 4:48pm

glanman wrote: »

Anyone been to the silk purse, its the restaurant where the lobby was, and cruibin now or something.... Cool photo on the back of the Kerry examiner yday promoting its visiting chef...

Yeh Glanman, I've been a few times for lunch and dinner. Best thing I can tell ya is just go and enjoy. Its head and shoulders above nearly all the other restaurants in the town is my ten cents. My reviews on tripadvisor.

glanman · 27-10-2009 5:53pm

I read that already;) good review!! will go there some time soon and report back...

Max001 wrote: »

Yeh Glanman, I've been a few times for lunch and dinner. Best thing I can tell ya is just go and enjoy. Its head and shoulders above nearly all the other restaurants in the town is my ten cents. My reviews on tripadvisor.

Dudess · 27-10-2009 6:32pm

Oafley Jones wrote: »

Despite being perceived lower in the pecking order, i'd prefer much more of The Cornstore's menu.

+1
Of the apparent "holy grail" (among them Jacobs, Greenes, Jacques, Flemings, Ivory Tower, Les Gourmandises, Café Paradiso, Hayfield Manor) I've been to Jacobs (disappointing), Jacques (extremely disappointing), Hayfield Manor (well a group of us went for a "budget" meal there - and by god did they take that literally. I honestly think they used Bernard Matthews chicken and Ragu sauce). And it wasn't just the dishes I chose, it was the lack of variety in the entire menus also. In fairness, Café Paradiso was unreal.

But for the most part, I think mid-priced restaurants seem better - I don't know... maybe they've more to prove or something? Give me Isaacs, Fenns Quay, Il Vino, The Cornstore or Star Anise before the above any day.

The food in An Cruibin/The Silk Purse is fantastic - it has a Café Paradiso connection too, as far as I know.

deRanged · 27-10-2009 6:38pm

we need a cork boards dinner!

foxyboxer · 28-10-2009 12:38pm

if you want to get transported back to vintage 1970's dining in Cork then go to sunday carvery at the Sunset Ridge. I always have oxtail soup with copious amounts of bread, followed by the turkey and ham with lashings of poppies and gravy then a warm apple crumble and cream. All washed down with a pint of stout. If you're hungry then you're in luck

bill comes to €25 inc. pint

Dudess · 29-10-2009 5:00pm

Not complete without after-meal entertainment by:

Or

Max001 · 29-10-2009 5:07pm

deRanged wrote: »

we need a cork boards dinner!

Yeh? Good luck on tryin to organise that! You'd need the UN to get everyone to agree on which eaterie to go to!

FYI - The Silk Purse connection to Cafe Paradiso (hate the place), so far as I know is that the lady doing front of house in Silk Purse is the soon to be ex of the guy attempting to run Paradiso.

Dudess · 29-10-2009 5:18pm

Max001 wrote: »

FYI - The Silk Purse connection to Cafe Paradiso (hate the place)

Really?

How come, if you don't mind me asking? I've only been there once mind, and I did think there was something fairly arsey and pretentious about it all right but that doesn't bother me once I'm with people I get on with - and I found the food just unbelievable. Staff were lovely too.

Max001 · 29-10-2009 5:25pm

Dudess wrote: »

Really?
How come, if you don't mind me asking? I've only been there once mind, and I did think there was something fairly arsey and pretentious about it all right but that doesn't bother me once I'm with people I get on with - and I found the food just unbelievable. Staff were lovely too.

Cafe Padadiso we're talking about yeh? See my review on tripadvisor....under Cork Blow-in. Says it all :cool:

I am gonna go back sometime soon to give it another try, but if its as bad as last time, everything'll be going back to the kitchen and I'll only pay for the bottled beverages this time.

Daveybaa · 01-11-2009 1:34pm

deRanged wrote: »

I heard it's relocated but I've not been able to find it since. I fear the worst!

Definitely relocating, to a fantastic bigger premises. This restaurant is finally getting a premises which reflects the fabulous food!

deRanged · 17-11-2009 11:25am

Daveybaa wrote: »

Definitely relocating, to a fantastic bigger premises.

turns out this is the Clarion!
So, Augustines is now in the Clarion hotel.

Illkillya · 17-11-2009 12:22pm

deRanged wrote: »

turns out this is the Clarion!
So, Augustines is now in the Clarion hotel.

Don't like the sound of that... Kudos has always been a disaster.

jebusmusic · 17-11-2009 1:00pm

deRanged wrote: »

turns out this is the Clarion!
So, Augustines is now in the Clarion hotel.

Where did you hear this? And are you serious??

Finest Restaurant in Cork?

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