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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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the beer revolu

munstermagic11 wrote: »

Rubbish statement.

Insightful statement.

draiochtanois

This post has been deleted.

j8wk2feszrnpao

the beer revolu wrote: »

Every country has its share of rubbish food but I think Ireland has more than most.

Rubbish statement.

rob316

I only go to Ramen for €6 before 6, I don't think there dishes are worth circa €12 but for €6 for there dish of the day its really good value.
Im not a picky eater, I seek out good food but I'll sometimes just want a feed too if its cheap, Ramen's €6 deal does the trick.

The only better spend of €6 I can think of is the Workman's Lunch in the Fish Wife.

Lemag

Vinta81 wrote: »

Hey, just wondering if any one knew where Ramen in Dennehys Cross is? Is it by the Tesco Extra? We'll be in that general area tonight and really want to try it

It's located just up from Tesco and immediately at the intersection. You'll hardly miss it.

the beer revolu

Balmed Out wrote: »

lets not forget soda bread mmm.

Whatever about high end cuisine I think the average run of the mill pub / cafe fare here does tend to be better then most

Better than what?
Other countries?
I can't think of any country with worse standard fare food than Ireland.
Every country has its share of rubbish food but I think Ireland has more than most.

Vinta81

Hey, just wondering if any one knew where Ramen in Dennehys Cross is? Is it by the Tesco Extra? We'll be in that general area tonight and really want to try it

pwurple

WhiteRoses wrote: »

On the subject of salads, does anyone else find salad portions in Cork to be tiny considering the price?

A salad would normally be my "go to" option if we go out for dinner but lately I've been noticed that the pricing is ridiculous.

For example, SoHo would be one of my favourite spots, and I love their ceaser salad, but the portion is minute and it costs a hefty €11.95, with €2 extra if you want chicken :eek: I've often left still hungry which defeats the purpose of going out for a meal.

Surely, economically, a salad should not cost the same amount as a burger or pasta dish? Especially when its meat free!

Hopefully someone can enlighten me, because it makes no sense to me at all.

It's bizaarly difficult to get decent salads outside of california!

I've whinged about it before alright. There are a couple of places around where I go for salads. Rocketmanhas opened a salad bar on princes street. Very nice, around a fiver for an interesting salad. Stuff like barley salad with beetroot and goatcheese. And they do nice things on top, like flavoured yoghurts and pickled limes/onions. They are also at the markets around the place, mahon in a thursday, wilton on a tuesday etc.

I wouldn't normally recommend eco in douglas, but I like their salads at lunchtime. They do a nice one with grapes in it.

the beer revolu

Ramem may be a take away but the mains are around €12. Not exactly take away prices!

For me the big issue with the dish I got was the lack of any sort of real flavour, authentic or otherwise.

draiochtanois

This post has been deleted.

SusieBlue

On the subject of salads, does anyone else find salad portions in Cork to be tiny considering the price?

A salad would normally be my "go to" option if we go out for dinner but lately I've been noticed that the pricing is ridiculous.

For example, SoHo would be one of my favourite spots, and I love their ceaser salad, but the portion is minute and it costs a hefty €11.95, with €2 extra if you want chicken :eek: I've often left still hungry which defeats the purpose of going out for a meal.

Surely, economically, a salad should not cost the same amount as a burger or pasta dish?

Especially when its meat free!

Hopefully someone can enlighten me, because it makes no sense to me at all.

SusieBlue

Finally tried Ramen this week and was very impressed. If you take it for what it is, which is essentially a takeaway, you won't be disappointed. If you are expecting fine dining you are probably in the wrong place but I really enjoyed it.

I got the sweet and sour chicken which was beautiful. Huge portions, very friendly staff and the food was delicious. Much nicer and more filling than McDonalds et al, and I'd most definitely return. It tasted fresh and authentic (even though it probably isn't very authentic) and was a far cray from the gloopy radioactive goo I'm used to getting from my regular takeaway.

Balmed Out

pwurple wrote: »

What we are mainly good at is selling ourselves short.

Colcannon, tripe and drisheen, black pudding, boxty, spiced beef, soda breads, mackerel cooked over a camp fire, gooseberry jam, blackberry crumble, all those irish soups with barley or oats. There are books full of irish house recipies but they have fallen out of favour.

lets not forget soda bread mmm.

Whatever about high end cuisine I think the average run of the mill pub / cafe fare here does tend to be better then most

pwurple

Faith wrote: »

We're renowned for our produce, but not our cuisine . There's often threads in F&D asking about our national dishes and there's hardly any - mostly things like coddle and Irish stew.

What we are mainly good at is selling ourselves short.

Colcannon, tripe and drisheen, black pudding, boxty, spiced beef, soda breads, mackerel cooked over a camp fire, gooseberry jam, blackberry crumble, all those irish soups with barley or oats. There are books full of irish house recipies but they have fallen out of favour.

Faith

pwurple wrote: »

I thought we were a nation known for it's food. Our butter and dairy trade is/was renowned across europe. Our beef exports are top notch. Entirely grass fed and always has been. People from other countries seem to talk about our beautiful clean seafood a lot too.

We're renowned for our produce, but not our cuisine

. There's often threads in F&D asking about our national dishes and there's hardly any - mostly things like coddle and Irish stew.

pwurple

I thought we were a nation known for it's food. Our butter and dairy trade is/was renowned across europe. Our beef exports are top notch. Entirely grass fed and always has been. People from other countries seem to talk about our beautiful clean seafood a lot too.

I'd say it's more that as a nation of well fed farmers living in a climate where fresh food grows well and doesn't go off that quickly, we never needed to 'spice' food to hide anything... So the preferences are still for plain.

ABajaninCork

Whilst I agree with most of the above, I do think Irish cuisine is slowly improving. This coming from a Native Londoner of Afro-Caribbean heritage! There are SOME good restaurants here in Cork and beyond. But there are even more serving poor quality, poorly cooked food. And the population here do seem to like it for some reason...But I guess to each their own.

My husband isn't the most adventurous when it comes to food. He's getting a little better though (He shouldn't have married a Bajan girl who doesn't do bland!:D). But his family absolutely will not try anything that hasn't been boiled to **** without even the benefit of salt or convenience food.

Faith

dudara wrote: »

For me, it's the standard of food first and foremost. For me, Il Padrino's is really poor. No incentive at all to return. Lot of places in Cork that serve really average (even poor) food, but they are successful. Why? Is it because the majority of people just want a feed?

I'd imagine those of us who frequent this thread are interested in food. I'd hazard a guess that most of us have relatively adventurous and educated palates compared to the average Irish person, so we recognise and care when food is poor. But a lot of people just don't care, or know, when food is poor. Think of all the "meat and two veg" people out there - they're probably delighted with Luigi Malone's. I'm being genuine there, not condescending.

When planning my wedding menu, I read so much online from people saying "we're having turkey and ham/roast beef or salmon to keep everyone happy". That's some of the most boring food I can imagine, but it's the most popular wedding fare. I think the average Irish person prefers bland, safe food so that's what they'll gravitate towards when they're eating out. Hence the popularity of average restaurants that have a safe menu. We're not a nation known for its cuisine, so it's not that surprising really.

evilivor

dudara wrote: »

There is an Aroi in Limerick which has gathered great reviews. This could be an extension of that.

It looks like a chain place alright.

byronbay2

rob316 wrote: »

You pay good money in most these places is it too much to expect a meal better than you could cook at home? There a few things that annoy me more than paying for a bad meal. If its a good meal I don't even look at the bill, I was in Gallo and Galetti 2 weeks ago and it was just outstanding start to finish, a pleasure to pay for.

Wish I was you - I have never felt any pleasure at having to pay a bill in my life!

leahyl

dudara wrote: »

For me, it's the standard of food first and foremost. For me, Il Padrino's is really poor. No incentive at all to return. Lot of places in Cork that serve really average (even poor) food, but they are successful. Why? Is it because the majority of people just want a feed?

I have to say I've always liked Il Padrino

but after the last time I was there I think I'll give it a break for a while - the menu had changed a bit and there was an issue with the service too so I was a bit disappointed.

dudara

Ludo wrote: »

This bafflement and amazement at those restaurants success baffles me to be honest.

For me, it's the standard of food first and foremost. For me, Il Padrino's is really poor. No incentive at all to return. Lot of places in Cork that serve really average (even poor) food, but they are successful. Why? Is it because the majority of people just want a feed?

draiochtanois

This post has been deleted.

dudara

evilivor wrote: »

ANOTHER Asian street food place appears it to be opening - Aroi on Carey's Lane.

There is an Aroi in Limerick which has gathered great reviews. This could be an extension of that.

rob316

Ludo wrote: »

Atmosphere (and location) also contributes to the success (or lack thereof) of a restaurant. Most of those places mentioned above offer good decent food at affordable prices. Nothing special to be sure but not bad either. They are also all busy most of the time and as a result have a good atmosphere which helps make an enjoyable meal out and people will go back. Is this sheep mentality? No it most certainly is not.

Someone mentioned an good Italian in the Mardyke...no wonder it didn't last. Talk about off the beaten track. VERY hard to start up somewhere like that from nothing.

This bafflement and amazement at those restaurants success baffles me to be honest.

Ya I hear ya but call me old fashioned but if I go out for something to eat I go for the food not really the atmosphere. If the food is average I wont go back unless its super cheap and just works as a quick alternative to cooking.

I mean in the case of Luigi Malones which I really hate, the times I have eaten there it has ranged between disgusting to tasteless yet I hear people constantly raving about it. Can't you see its utter muck? Do you have any taste buds at all?

You pay good money in most these places is it too much to expect a meal better than you could cook at home? There a few things that annoy me more than paying for a bad meal. If its a good meal I don't even look at the bill, I was in Gallo and Galetti 2 weeks ago and it was just outstanding start to finish, a pleasure to pay for.

Ludo

Atmosphere (and location) also contributes to the success (or lack thereof) of a restaurant. Most of those places mentioned above offer good decent food at affordable prices. Nothing special to be sure but not bad either. They are also all busy most of the time and as a result have a good atmosphere which helps make an enjoyable meal out and people will go back. Is this sheep mentality? No it most certainly is not.

Someone mentioned an good Italian in the Mardyke...no wonder it didn't last. Talk about off the beaten track. VERY hard to start up somewhere like that from nothing.

This bafflement and amazement at those restaurants success baffles me to be honest.

the beer revolu

And an New casual Asian one opening on Douglas Street too.

Loire

evilivor wrote: »

ANOTHER Asian street food place appears it to be opening - Aroi on Carey's Lane.

I saw another one somewhere at the weekend. Seem to be jumping on the Ramen bandwagon. I can just imagine the owner saying to the chef "Here's 60 quid...get down to TK Maxx quick and buy some Woks" :pac:

draiochtanois

This post has been deleted.

evilivor

ANOTHER Asian street food place appears it to be opening - Aroi on Carey's Lane.