The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

leahyl · 02-03-2015 05:51PM

Malari wrote: »

I passed Serendipity on the Western Road and I think they were doing brunch. I've never been to it though, so no idea if it's any good.

Serendipity is gorgeous - just had lunch there a few weeks ago and the food was beautiful and very reasonably priced. Going there again on Friday! Would love to try it for dinner as well.

leahyl · 02-03-2015 05:53PM

dibkins wrote: »

Annies is doing Sunday brunch as well now.

What's going on there now? The kitchen is obviously back up and running again? Wonder if they have a new website.

evilivor · 02-03-2015 06:35PM

Malari wrote: »

I passed Serendipity on the Western Road and I think they were doing brunch. I've never been to it though, so no idea if it's any good.

My brother is always going on about that place - I've never been though.

sozbox · 02-03-2015 06:37PM

Elbow lane last week for dinner, would highly recommend. Can be a pain getting a table though as they don't take reservations.

leahyl · 02-03-2015 07:00PM

sozbox wrote: »

Elbow lane last week for dinner, would highly recommend. Can be a pain getting a table though as they don't take reservations.

Want to go there too - it's pricy though is it? Market Lane own it which explains the no reservations

Malari · 02-03-2015 07:02PM

I think it's reasonable for the quality of the food served.

And in such a small place I think the no reservation thing works. You can stick your head in early to put your name down and go for a pint while you wait though.

northgirl · 03-03-2015 12:13PM

leahyl wrote: »

What's going on there now? The kitchen is obviously back up and running again? Wonder if they have a new website.

Ate here last week and unfortunately was disappointed. Had the Halloumi salad which was only ok with sides of chunky chips that were great and overcooked broccoli with sliced almonds

leahyl · 03-03-2015 12:14PM

northgirl wrote: »

Ate here last week and unfortunately was disappointed. Had the Halloumi salad which was only ok with sides of chunky chips that were great and overcooked broccoli with sliced almonds

I read about it on tripadvisor last night and latest reviews are not good at all which is disappointing.

dibkins · 03-03-2015 12:18PM

leahyl wrote: »

What's going on there now? The kitchen is obviously back up and running again? Wonder if they have a new website.

It got taken over by the people from Oysters (i think, there was more a few pages back). Ain't been in since it changed hands, but I walk past it every monday after my music lesson!

northgirl · 03-03-2015 12:33PM

dibkins wrote: »

It got taken over by the people from Oysters (i think, there was more a few pages back). Ain't been in since it changed hands, but I walk past it every monday after my music lesson!

Not much has changed there to be honest.

sporina · 05-03-2015 09:23PM

whats the story with electric - every time i try to make a reservation its booked up? and they can only offer me a table at the fish bar..

the menu would be nice but stools? and i think diners sit in a row as oppose to around a table - for those of you who have been there am i right?

if so, thats ok for an informal bite but not a dinner date..?

Nonoperational · 06-03-2015 06:22PM

Was only there once. It does have a kinda cool vibe, but it is quite informal. Wouldn't be a bad date spot imo.

BailMeOut · 06-03-2015 06:29PM

sporina wrote: »

whats the story with electric - every time i try to make a reservation its booked up? and they can only offer me a table at the fish bar..

the menu would be nice but stools? and i think diners sit in a row as oppose to around a table - for those of you who have been there am i right?

if so, thats ok for an informal bite but not a dinner date..?

I find the waiting list works well as they are pretty good at calling you back if there are cancellations.

Malari · 06-03-2015 06:54PM

It's not all sitting in a row, sporina, but the tables are high so the seats are stools or bench seating. I've been there with my mom, with friends and with my boyfriend so it can be intimate if you like. They usually only seat you at the bar or facing the window if there's only 2 of you.

sporina · 07-03-2015 07:46PM

Malari wrote: »

It's not all sitting in a row, sporina, but the tables are high so the seats are stools or bench seating. I've been there with my mom, with friends and with my boyfriend so it can be intimate if you like. They usually only seat you at the bar or facing the window if there's only 2 of you.

thanks for that - the fish bar was booked out also in the end - and got no call about a cancellation.. another time..

kcb · 08-03-2015 05:01PM

Thoughts on Greene's...?
Went there recently, 3 course deal for €29
Being honest it was only ok; portions small and not particularly well presented
One small side of veg and potato (i'd say one small potato!) to share between two!!
Desert was very ordinary
Charging €6.50 for a glass of white wine

Wouldn't be rushing back at all. nice setting and very friendly in fairness though.

kcb · 08-03-2015 05:01PM

Thoughts on Greene's...?
Went there recently, 3 course deal for €29
Being honest it was only ok; portions small and not particularly well presented
One small side of veg and potato (i'd say one small potato!) to share between two!!
Desert was very ordinary
Charging €6.50 for a glass of white wine

Wouldn't be rushing back at all. nice setting and very friendly in fairness though.

Markcheese · 08-03-2015 05:11PM

kcb wrote: »

Thoughts on Greene's...?
Went there recently, 3 course deal for €29
Being honest it was only ok; portions small and not particularly well presented
One small side of veg and potato (i'd say one small potato!) to share between two!!
Desert was very ordinary
Charging €6.50 for a glass of white wine

Wouldn't be rushing back at all. nice setting and very friendly in fairness though.

Went there a few months ago - thought it was great really - think it was a bit dearer than 29 euro for three courses though ...
In fairness you'd spend 6.50 on vino in a pub -

roundymac · 08-03-2015 07:14PM

went there a few years back when everyone was raving about it, did not impress me at all.

sporina · 08-03-2015 08:41PM

kcb wrote: »

Thoughts on Greene's...?
Went there recently, 3 course deal for €29
Being honest it was only ok; portions small and not particularly well presented
One small side of veg and potato (i'd say one small potato!) to share between two!!
Desert was very ordinary
Charging €6.50 for a glass of white wine

Wouldn't be rushing back at all. nice setting and very friendly in fairness though.

thats average for a glass of wine - but what was the wine? where was it from? quality etc..

pwurple · 08-03-2015 11:22PM

Portions are small alright in greene's, but they always have been. That's their style i guess... Not a giant feed, but good quality.

I haven't been in years actually, last time was with my parents now that I think about it. Always picture it as being for an older crowd, the 50+ bunch. What was the age group like?

.red. · 09-03-2015 08:40AM

I know Ramen has been done to death here but i went last week to their ballincollig shol for the first time. Couldnt fault anything about it apart from the noise. It was about 530 when we got in and it was manic. I had the pad thai which id never had before and it was savage. The kids got the goujons with rice and a bit of sweet and sour. It was only €6 with a carton of fruice which was great value. My dad got the €6 before 6 which was a red marmasam curry and that was also pretty tasty.
I passed it a few days later and got the Rendang take away for my lunch in work and again it was really tasty. Bargain too as it was the €6 deal.
Been in twice and ive been impressed both times. Cant see myself going back to my usual chinese anytime soon.

rob316 · 09-03-2015 09:17AM

.red. wrote: »

I know Ramen has been done to death here but i went last week to their ballincollig shol for the first time. Couldnt fault anything about it apart from the noise. It was about 530 when we got in and it was manic. I had the pad thai which id never had before and it was savage. The kids got the goujons with rice and a bit of sweet and sour. It was only €6 with a carton of fruice which was great value. My dad got the €6 before 6 which was a red marmasam curry and that was also pretty tasty.
I passed it a few days later and got the Rendang take away for my lunch in work and again it was really tasty. Bargain too as it was the €6 deal.
Been in twice and ive been impressed both times. Cant see myself going back to my usual chinese anytime soon.

The 6 before 6 is the only reason I would go to ramen, its not good value for what you get otherwise. €12.95 for a curry with no mean. €11 for a noodle dish with very little meat. Taste wise its fine but Aroi would be much better value and better quality IMO.

.red. · 09-03-2015 11:09AM

rob316 wrote: »

The 6 before 6 is the only reason I would go to ramen, its not good value for what you get otherwise. €12.95 for a curry with no mean. €11 for a noodle dish with very little meat. Taste wise its fine but Aroi would be much better value and better quality IMO.

A lot of people say that about Aroi. I go in town about twice a year and always treat myself to a big dirty kebab when i do so wont be trying Aroi any time soon.
As for the lack of meat in Ramen, both dishes i tried had enough for me. Not loads of big chunks but plenty of smaller pieces and a nice bit of veg. I paid full price for the pad thai and if id gotten a similar meal in a chinese take away nearby id have paid about the same for it. Maybe id have gotten more meat but id have had less of the flavour.

Milly33 · 09-03-2015 01:20PM

Don't get Greenes either wouldn't go out of my way to dine there

rob316 · 09-03-2015 01:47PM

New Japanese take away place opened on Evergreen St, cant tell you the name (even though its across from my house), its where Yangsee River was.

Went over Friday night when it opened, I generally have a rule not to try somewhere new for a few weeks but I was feeling **** and wanted a quick option.

I got the Pork Katsu and herself had the Yaki Soba. Very reasonable too about 8.50/9.00 per dish. Waited for ages and the place was mobbed as to be expected. I was order 31 and I knew I was getting looking warm food as the 30 to 31 took 10 mins to come.

So ya my meal was just warm but very tasty I must say. Its a Katsu so you can't do much to mess it up but I really enjoyed. Her Soba was lovely too.

I'll try it again next month when they are a bit more up to speed. Great to see that spot so busy too.

Bacchus · 10-03-2015 10:54AM

Went to CoqBull recently. They do the same thing as Market Lane with no bookings for small groups. Worse, the only way to stay in a queue is to go for a drink in their bar upstairs. We weren't able to arrange a phone call for when the table was ready so that we could have a drink elsewhere. At least the bar is decent and there's a good atmosphere upstairs too.

The food was very good. Great starter platter with wings and ribs to share between the 4 of us. Seriously good ribs. The burgers were tasty and substantial in size. Chips were nice too. Staff were friendly and helpful and the whole place has a nice vibe to it. Certainly something different for a meal out in Cork. I will be back... just a pity about the booking situation.

Malari · 10-03-2015 11:06AM

That's a shame about the booking! Seems unfair to force people to drink in their own bar if they want a table.

sporina · 10-03-2015 05:15PM

i see that there is a new mexican restaurant where castelli's was on princes st - no website that i can find - its called siesta… hopefully it will create some competition for cafe mexicana - and get them to up their game

rob316 · 10-03-2015 06:48PM

sporina wrote: »

i see that there is a new mexican restaurant where castelli's was on princes st - no website that i can find - its called siesta… hopefully it will create some competition for cafe mexicana - and get them to up their game

The new place el mercado on Paul St is very nice too.

The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

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