The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

dan185 · 03-02-2015 09:07AM

I went to the Liberty Grill as I was working around the corner in the evening so was easy to get to. Great shout though, I've never had a steak cooked as well as I ordered as that was, medium rare was perfect.

Happy to take more recommendations for a restaurant tonight. Got more time this evening so can drive local! Fish would be nice.

northgirl · 03-02-2015 10:03AM

dan185 wrote: »

I went to the Liberty Grill as I was working around the corner in the evening so was easy to get to. Great shout though, I've never had a steak cooked as well as I ordered as that was, medium rare was perfect.

Happy to take more recommendations for a restaurant tonight. Got more time this evening so can drive local! Fish would be nice.

Love Liberty Grill for steak, my favourite restaurant in Cork at the moment is ORSO and they usually have good fish specials AFAIK

the beer revolu · 03-02-2015 10:23AM

dan185 wrote: »

I went to the Liberty Grill as I was working around the corner in the evening so was easy to get to. Great shout though, I've never had a steak cooked as well as I ordered as that was, medium rare was perfect.

Happy to take more recommendations for a restaurant tonight. Got more time this evening so can drive local! Fish would be nice.

For a lone diner, Elbow Lane is fantastic.
You can sit at a comfortable counter and chat with the friendly staff. Food is simple yet unusual. Great meat and whole grilled fish.

pwurple · 03-02-2015 10:50AM

northgirl wrote: »

my favourite restaurant in Cork at the moment is ORSO and they usually have good fish specials AFAIK

Orso, I like the food... but god almighty it's pokey! The tables must be 12 inches square, you're squashed in on top of the table next to you.

Last time I was there I was next to a really annoying table of hipster dubs. Girls were mopey wearing glass-less glasses and the guys were a gaggle of waxed mustaches. All poking their food to bits looking for hidden gluten, and talking about their next tv3 gigs. I like a teensy bit more space between me and the unwashed masses so I don't have to resist the urge to slap them out of their vacuous jibber jabber.

I've had the monkfish there, which was the only fish available every time I've been. Fish specials have all been gone.

For fish, try the electric fish bar
http://www.electriccork.com/fish-bar/

northgirl · 03-02-2015 10:57AM

pwurple wrote: »

Orso, I like the food... but god almighty it's pokey! The tables must be 12 inches square, you're squashed in on top of the table next to you.

Last time I was there I was next to a really annoying table of hipster dubs. Girls were mopey wearing glass-less glasses and the guys were a gaggle of waxed mustaches. All poking their food to bits looking for hidden gluten, and talking about their next tv3 gigs. I like a teensy bit more space between me and the unwashed masses so I don't have to resist the urge to slap them out of their vacuous jibber jabber.

I've had the monkfish there, which was the only fish available every time I've been. Fish specials have all been gone.

For fish, try the electric fish bar
http://www.electriccork.com/fish-bar/

Depends when you go, was just giving my tuppenceworth.

Malari · 03-02-2015 11:04AM

I've had excellent whole sea bass in Elbow Lane, and in Orso. Both are nice to sit at the counter if you are a lone diner.

Second vote also for Electric Fish bar. It's a little more tapas-style I suppose, but really top quality.

Oleander · 03-02-2015 06:05PM

nomeban wrote: »

Went to that Rooster PilPil place in Ballincollig last night.

Other than the strange name (they don't sell any turkey!) it was feckin delish.

Got a Lebanese half chicken - it's just a half chicken cooked on a charcoal grill and given to you straight up. Really delicious and marinated in spices and the best part is the charcoal grill flavour.

Also got a chicken wrap - yummy. When I think of wrap I think of the cold dry plastic chicken Centra crap - this is far from it.

Each main comes with a choice of 2 sides so it wasn't just a half chicken lying on the plate.

Great value too - 26euro for 1 starter, 2 mains, 4 sides.

I will be returning. Thumbs up.

There is a one of these restaurants in Douglas, sounds good, but, stupid question here, do they cater for veggies? I'm not but boyfriend is.

Oleander · 03-02-2015 06:16PM

On recommendation from 'Loire' I went to 'On The Pigs Back' in Douglas last Saturday for brunch. So, off we went in and it was busy and the girl told us to wait. So another couple came in after us but went around the other way so it looked like they were ahead of us, five mins passed and the same girl looked at me and I said, "table for two please" and she had just given someone else our seat so we were annoyed and just left and went to Puccinos instead (in Douglas), I love that place, it is always buzzing, and they are so friendly, they have a great choice on their menu, they do breakfast all day and it's good value. I will always go back to Puccinos in Douglas but I've heard bad reviews about the one in Ballincollig, pity cause they're a good business. I will go back to 'On The Pigs Back' but I will go very early!! I was really annoyed with the girl who worked there, she should know who is first. I've dealt with the same girl before and on both occasions I got the impression she was stressed, she doesn't smile often but other staff in 'On The Pigs Back' are nice.

sporina · 03-02-2015 08:06PM

the beer revolu wrote: »

Ah now.
Surely you're joking?
I had one of the worst meals of my life there.
They tried to serve us instant coffee, amongst other abominations.

if it is still open - it should not be..

put it this way - nothing goes to waste there - not even customers left over veg… fact

sporina · 03-02-2015 08:09PM

Oleander wrote: »

On recommendation from 'Loire' I went to 'On The Pigs Back' in Douglas last Saturday for brunch. So, off we went in and it was busy and the girl told us to wait. So another couple came in after us but went around the other way so it looked like they were ahead of us, five mins passed and the same girl looked at me and I said, "table for two please" and she had just given someone else our seat so we were annoyed and just left and went to Puccinos instead (in Douglas), I love that place, it is always buzzing, and they are so friendly, they have a great choice on their menu, they do breakfast all day and it's good value. I will always go back to Puccinos in Douglas but I've heard bad reviews about the one in Ballincollig, pity cause they're a good business. I will go back to 'On The Pigs Back' but I will go very early!! I was really annoyed with the girl who worked there, she should know who is first. I've dealt with the same girl before and on both occasions I got the impression she was stressed, she doesn't smile often but other staff in 'On The Pigs Back' are nice.

i miss puccinos from the city centre - a great loss

Markcheese · 03-02-2015 10:02PM

the beer revolu wrote: »

Ah now.
Surely you're joking?
I had one of the worst meals of my life there.
They tried to serve us instant coffee, amongst other abominations.

It's a long long time ago that I was last in there - but seriously it was good - once - as I said I've no idea if it's still going or even how long ago it's gone -

And I get told off by my family for being a critical fecker -

dan185 · 03-02-2015 10:04PM

Appreciate the fish recommendations.

I ignored them all and had my first KCs instead. Holy Jesus. It was incredible.

rob316 · 04-02-2015 10:41AM

dan185 wrote: »

Appreciate the fish recommendations.

I ignored them all and had my first KCs instead. Holy Jesus. It was incredible.

You should of went to the Fish Wife, now that is incredible!

Malari · 04-02-2015 10:48AM

What makes KCs so good? Next to all the other chippers/burger joints.

I was there once I think, about 10 years ago, but it didn't stand out to me as anything special.

rob316 · 04-02-2015 11:00AM

Malari wrote: »

What makes KCs so good? Next to all the other chippers/burger joints.

I was there once I think, about 10 years ago, but it didn't stand out to me as anything special.

I think when you queue for 30 mins in the rain, wind or shine you will have built up such a hunger anything will taste amazing. I've had it numerous times but its so overrated, stingy portions and just greasy. Some things are nice in there but no worth the wait.

The Fish Wife on McCurtain St is head and shoulders above any chipper in the city IMO. Honourable mentions then for The Golden Fry (not what it was though) and Chish and Fips in Crosshaven.

pwurple · 04-02-2015 11:49AM

Malari wrote: »

What makes KCs so good? Next to all the other chippers/burger joints.

I was there once I think, about 10 years ago, but it didn't stand out to me as anything special.

Good quality meat and fish from local suppliers, in proper bread, with real mayo etc. Which is what a lot of other traditional chippers do... so far so good, the basics are right.

If you go in and get a sausage and chips, it's the same as any other good traditional chipper that cuts their own spuds. If you branch out a bit and get something like their blue cheese and bacon burger, or the king creole pitta, then that's the stuff you don't see in other places. That's the special bit.

Then you become a regular and start asking for your own creations, which they do perfectly without batting an eyelid.

YOM!

I like the golden fry as well for fish, except the bastards have gotten my change wrong or forgotton part of my order a couple of times now which makes me angry.

Not tried the fish wife, just because it's not on my regular path, but I'll get there some day.

Malari · 04-02-2015 11:53AM

rob316 wrote: »

I think when you queue for 30 mins in the rain, wind or shine you will have built up such a hunger anything will taste amazing. I've had it numerous times but its so overrated, stingy portions and just greasy. Some things are nice in there but no worth the wait.

The Fish Wife on McCurtain St is head and shoulders above any chipper in the city IMO. Honourable mentions then for The Golden Fry (not what it was though) and Chish and Fips in Crosshaven.

I don't frequent chippers very often, but I've there a couple of times, and it's been nice, I agree. Although I had to order my 3rd choice - they were sold out of my first two choices!

Chipper aficionados: where is best in the city to get thin, crispy, well-done chips? I hate the big fat rare chips you get in some places.

Oleander · 04-02-2015 03:33PM

rob316 wrote: »

I think when you queue for 30 mins in the rain, wind or shine you will have built up such a hunger anything will taste amazing. I've had it numerous times but its so overrated, stingy portions and just greasy. Some things are nice in there but no worth the wait.

The Fish Wife on McCurtain St is head and shoulders above any chipper in the city IMO. Honourable mentions then for The Golden Fry (not what it was though) and Chish and Fips in Crosshaven.

Totally agree with you, KCs is very overrated. I don't like their chips (whatever potatoes they use), I got scampi a few years ago and they were so mean with the portion (it was €9 for five small pieces). I was livid and stupid not to go back and complain and very rarely when nothing else is open and I've had a few drinks, I'll get their cheese burger, it's always flat and squished like they haven't put any love into it!! I prefer McDonalds burgers by far. Now saying that, I will try their King Creole some day as people do rave about it.

Oleander · 04-02-2015 03:35PM

I love the Fish Wife on McCurtain St, I think they do the best chips in the city. Haven't tried Chish & Fips but that is such a good name for a chipper.

pwurple · 04-02-2015 03:38PM

Oleander wrote: »

Totally agree with you, KCs is very overrated. I don't like their chips (whatever potatoes they use), I got scampi a few years ago

I never remember them having scampi. Certainly don't do them now. Was it somewhere else?

Oleander · 04-02-2015 03:48PM

pwurple wrote: »

I never remember them having scampi. Certainly don't do them now. Was it somewhere else?

No, it was definitely at KC's, about four years ago, obviously it wasn't a big seller if it's not on the menu now, I always said I would never go back there for scampi.

Milly33 · 04-02-2015 05:11PM

Oleander wrote: »

I love the Fish Wife on McCurtain St, I think they do the best chips in the city. Haven't tried Chish & Fips but that is such a good name for a chipper.

I do like the fish wife too but only for certain things. the haddock is yummie. Scampi ick and the guniess stuff nothing new..

it is very hard to find a good fish and chip place. Where this Chish & Fips place

Malari · 04-02-2015 05:59PM

Chish and fips is Crosshaven I think?

dan185 · 04-02-2015 06:39PM

I had a king creole and a garlic chips

The creole was really good, if a little bit off on the 'construction', as in I was biting into chunks of chicken then next bite chunks of lettuce etc.

The garlic sauce and the chips were to die for though. I love a garlic sauce and even though I don't eat chipper food very often, this was the best I've ever tasted.

sporina · 04-02-2015 09:20PM

Oleander wrote: »

I love the Fish Wife on McCurtain St, I think they do the best chips in the city. Haven't tried Chish & Fips but that is such a good name for a chipper.

can you "sit in" in the fishwife? and are they open on sundays?
if so i thought sunday was a bad day for fish? either none of if there is, its not fresh?

Oleander · 05-02-2015 12:52AM

sporina wrote: »

can you "sit in" in the fishwife? and are they open on sundays?
if so i thought sunday was a bad day for fish? either none of if there is, its not fresh?

You can sit in the Fish Wife but it is very small, anytime I've been in there we got takeaway, I bet it tastes even better when you eat in and everything is hot.

According to their Facebook page they are open 7 days a week and I'm pretty sure we've been in on a Sunday on the way back from town.

I'm pretty sure they will be honest with you about how fresh their fish is but even the supermarkets don't get fresh fish in on a Sunday (same with breads, usually baked on the Saturday). Being a Sunday wouldn't put me off ordering the fish. They're hardly going to sell out of date fish, then they would have a bad reputation.

SusieBlue · 05-02-2015 01:16AM

I've heard great things about the new wings place on Washington street. Anyone been yet? Will probably go there for lunch tomorrow, looking forward to trying it.

Milly33 · 05-02-2015 10:27AM

sporina wrote: »

can you "sit in" in the fishwife? and are they open on sundays?
if so i thought sunday was a bad day for fish? either none of if there is, its not fresh?

very very small as in you could fit there if no one else was there.. The Shelbourne across the road, lets you eat there.. You could order and then sit outside there and eat. Yummie defo go for the smoked haddock

Cool_CM · 05-02-2015 12:20PM

pwurple wrote: »

I never remember them having scampi. Certainly don't do them now. Was it somewhere else?

They used to have shrimp too. Was great!

WhiteRoses wrote: »

I've heard great things about the new wings place on Washington street. Anyone been yet? Will probably go there for lunch tomorrow, looking forward to trying it.

I was there on Saturday and they were still finding their feet. Didn't try the wings as they had run out of them and were in the process of getting more from the English Market, the upstairs wasn't open yet either so they were turning people away as there weren't enough tables. Had the Toro Loco burger and it was quite good, €12 though so not something I'd be having every day!

but1er · 05-02-2015 07:38PM

Dub looking for recommendations for a meal next weekend, what's the name of the wings place??

The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

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