The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

okedoke · 16-05-2015 03:26PM

pwurple wrote: »

Most cats won't go near a rat. They need to clean up scraps faster so there is no attraction.

you should tell that to my cats - regularly find a rat on the doorstep when I get home, big feckers too!

roundymac · 16-05-2015 05:28PM

sporina wrote: »

wow is that the same jam as in kenmare? if so, i never knew it was there

Yes it is, but I think the one in Kenmare is better.

pwurple · 16-05-2015 09:22PM

okedoke wrote: »

you should tell that to my cats - regularly find a rat on the doorstep when I get home, big feckers too!

:rolleyes: yup, That's why I said most.

rob316 · 17-05-2015 11:15AM

Tried coqbull last night it was only average I thought. Not bad but I wouldn't be rushing back.
First off its all ready a packed restraunt why the need for the blaring pop music?

I had the bacon bull. Patty was done medium and was very nice. At €15 I expected more than a morsel of cheese and a slither of bacon. Bun was nice too but overall it was a boring enough burger. Chips were good.

Dessert I had the donuts that was easily the best part of the meal. Custard dip was very tasty.

All in all if you want a buger restraunt in town liberty grill would be a much better choice.

sporina · 17-05-2015 12:46PM

went to huguenot last night..

we had a lovely eve

the decor is fab - and manager was great.. love down stairs..

good wine list

on the food, my fish was a bit over cooked and a bit small..

the roast spuds were v sad..
but the desert was unreal - tart tatin,, hmm.. now this was massive - more than enough for two…

food v oily but i guess thats v french

i am not a desert person but needed half of this to be full…

thought staff were a bit all over the place - but the waiter we had was new so maybe he is still finding his feet.. they are v attentative though

But i have to say, i think its the same offering as Jaques and if i were to compare the two, Jaques wins hands down…

Ok Jaques is a bit more expensive but the difference in quality of main dishes is way superior in jacques.. ie the difference in price is not relative to the difference in quality

But i like the place - their mains could be better though..

the beer revolu · 17-05-2015 02:14PM

I'd agree with all the positive reviews The White Rabbit is getting.
Shared a BBQ plate just there.
Great flavours, good simple food. Good value.
Definitely going back to try other meats and sides. I like their style.

Oafley Jones · 17-05-2015 02:37PM

rob316 wrote: »

Tried coqbull last night it was only average I thought. Not bad but I wouldn't be rushing back.
First off its all ready a packed restraunt why the need for the blaring pop music?

I had the bacon bull. Patty was done medium and was very nice. At €15 I expected more than a morsel of cheese and a slither of bacon. Bun was nice too but overall it was a boring enough burger. Chips were good.

Dessert I had the donuts that was easily the best part of the meal. Custard dip was very tasty.

All in all if you want a buger restraunt in town liberty grill would be a much better choice.

Roughly my feelings on the place too. On the whole "how would you like your burger cooked thing". Isnt this a big no no from Irish food safety. Thought they weren't allowed offer it in this country. If they did, it'd be well done for me in like of coqbull, wouldn't trust them to make the pattys just beforehand.

Outkast_IRE · 17-05-2015 02:50PM

Oafley Jones wrote: »

Roughly my feelings on the place too. On the whole "how would you like your burger cooked thing". Isnt this a big no no from Irish food safety. Thought they weren't allowed offer it in this country. If they did, it'd be well done for me in like of coqbull, wouldn't trust them to make the pattys just beforehand.

As you have alluded to, you can offer this service, but generally the risk it entails means that many places wont offer the service.

I think its all about risk really, if the meat is minced within a few hours of when the burger is to be cooked, then the risk is relatively low, also the temperature at which the meat reached internally is a factor.

You can have burger meat that is still a bit pink, but has reached the necessary temperature to be considered safe. Again there is a risk on the chef really needing to be on his game.

Like most people i would prefer a burger on the well done side anyway.

As for the restataurant - to me it is too limited in what it is.
Its ok, but nothing that will be dragging me back regularily.

leahyl · 18-05-2015 07:38AM

I have to say, I have been 3 times now to Coqbull and each time the burger has been absolutely gorgeous - I think the meat is so tasty. It's amazing how people have different experiences. I passed it yesterday when I was in town and the smell wafting from the place was nearly enough to drag me in there on my own for a bite to eat!

limnam · 18-05-2015 08:10AM

leahyl wrote: »

I have to say, I have been 3 times now to Coqbull and each time the burger has been absolutely gorgeous - I think the meat is so tasty. It's amazing how people have different experiences. I passed it yesterday when I was in town and the smell wafting from the place was nearly enough to drag me in there on my own for a bite to eat!

Different levels of expectations.
Different chefs
Different staff in different moods

Not that amazing, most restraunts I've frequented in Ireland are horrifically inconsistent.

farmerjj · 18-05-2015 08:40AM

limnam wrote: »

Different levels of expectations.
Different chefs
Different staff in different moods

Not that amazing, most restraunts in Ireland are horrifically inconsistent.

Wow that's some generalisation, and really unfair/wrong

limnam · 18-05-2015 08:58AM

farmerjj wrote: »

Wow that's some generalisation, and really unfair/wrong

I've un-generalised it for you. Also you can't tell me what *I* experience is wrong

leahyl · 18-05-2015 09:06AM

Enough please. Let's move on

blondeonblonde · 18-05-2015 07:36PM

Could anyone recommend a nice authentic pizzeria / Italian restaurant for a sit down meal (not a take away - all credit too Dominos! ;0) in the city centre? Read online about a place in Franciscan well but it doesn't seem to be there on Saturday night... Any suggestions? Preferably not too pricey, for a group of 8 to 10.

limnam · 18-05-2015 07:44PM

blondeonblonde wrote: »

Could anyone recommend a nice authentic pizzeria / Italian restaurant for a sit down meal (not a take away - all credit too Dominos! ;0) in the city centre? Read online about a place in Franciscan well but it doesn't seem to be there on Saturday night... Any suggestions? Preferably not too pricey, for a group of 8 to 10.

http://ladolcevitacork.ie/ should suit

blondeonblonde · 18-05-2015 08:34PM

limnam wrote: »

http://ladolcevitacork.ie/ should suit

Menu looks decent, have you eaten there?

limnam · 18-05-2015 08:54PM

blondeonblonde wrote: »

Menu looks decent, have you eaten there?

Yes many times and with a fussy Italian and they were very happy

D'Agger · 19-05-2015 11:06PM

Hoping to make La Dolce Vita my next excursion, menu looks great

J Mysterio · 20-05-2015 01:14PM

I went to the White Rabbit last week and this week. Last week I had the Brisket Sandwich and this week the Pork Shoulder with Red Slaw and Potato Salad. Bit underwhelmed the first time and fairly disappointed this week.

I like the idea of what they're doing, and its a cool pub, but it doesn't really deliver tbh

the beer revolu · 22-05-2015 08:34AM

Went to El Mercado for the voucher deal last night. While it was a good value feed for 2 for €16, I tasted nothing that would make me return. There was nothing really wrong with most of the food - it just wasn't really tasty and had no spice at all to my palate. I wanted zesty, spicy tasty food. What we got was really pretty bland and one pork taco type thing was just really, really sweet - sweet pork, sweet onions, sweet cabbage.

Their guacamole was pretty good and their tortillas chips were nice and unseasoned proper chops.

pwurple · 22-05-2015 10:04AM

the beer revolu wrote: »

Went to El Mercado for the voucher deal last night. While it was a good value feed for 2 for €16, I tasted nothing that would make me return. There was nothing really wrong with most of the food - it just wasn't really tasty and had no spice at all to my palate. I wanted zesty, spicy tasty food. What we got was really pretty bland and one pork taco type thing was just really, really sweet - sweet pork, sweet onions, sweet cabbage.

Their guacamole was pretty good and their tortillas chips were nice and unseasoned proper chops.

+1. Way too tame. I asked for the hottest thing on the menu when I was in. They gave me the battered chili's. They were the mildest chillies I've ever eaten. More like eating a red/green bell pepper.

Also, was all your food served on timber? Drives me nuts.

J Mysterio · 22-05-2015 11:57AM

How does that work? The upstairs of the burrito place becomes a 'restaurant' at night?

Brandon F · 22-05-2015 03:53PM

J Mysterio wrote: »

I went to the White Rabbit last week and this week. Last week I had the Brisket Sandwich and this week the Pork Shoulder with Red Slaw and Potato Salad. Bit underwhelmed the first time and fairly disappointed this week.

I like the idea of what they're doing, and its a cool pub, but it doesn't really deliver tbh

Have to agree with this. The side options are quite limited. I had the potato salad and beans, both were bland and didn't hit the spot. The idea is great and definitely needed in Cork but it just doesn't execute as well as it should.

D'Agger · 22-05-2015 05:21PM

Brandon F wrote: »

Have to agree with this. The side options are quite limited. I had the potato salad and beans, both were bland and didn't hit the spot. The idea is great and definitely needed in Cork but it just doesn't execute as well as it should.

I know I've already given my thoughts on White Rabbit but I have to disagree on the sides - I really thought the potato salad was lovely on the two occasions I had it. The beans were okay, I get what you mean about them.

I think for anybody going there - it may have been blown out of proportion or caused increased expectations for people reading here before heading in for themselves, but essentially you get a nice place, with good music & vibe, cheap and cheerful food - I think what you get for €10 is quite good all things considered.

Could it be done better? - yes, but like Ramen, Chilli Padi and other restaurants opening up - I think they're geared towards, quick, cheap food & I'd imagine they're already doing good business. As you've said - this was something Cork needed so I'll take a rough around the edges version over nothing.

J Mysterio · 22-05-2015 05:28PM

Chili Padi is feckin amazing, there's no comparison.

I think I get what you're saying though - its a great place to have a pint with someone and also get some pretty decent grub, informally.

Still though, it could be really great...

nerwen · 22-05-2015 11:39PM

Went to Goldbergs for lunch yesterday after seeing the recommendation here and while I was disappointed they didn't have the promised pulled lamb from the website menu they did have a lamb roll to take it's place and I gotta say it was really nice. I don't think my 2 friends were as enamored with their meals (cajun chicken baguette and chicken and chorizo wrap) as I was with mine, but they liked them well enough.

But mine was awesome (slices of lamb roast with gravy on a nice, crusty roll and a side salad) and the place is really charming.

limnam · 23-05-2015 12:06PM

D'Agger wrote: »

Could it be done better? - yes, but like Ramen, Chilli Padi and other restaurants opening up - I think they're geared towards, quick, cheap food & I'd imagine they're already doing good business. As you've said - this was something Cork needed so I'll take a rough around the edges version over nothing.

Can't really compare chilli pad to Ramen, Chilli Pad is a million miles ahead on all fronts. Flavor quality of the ingridients, portions. I sent out a search party for the chicken in my tikka in Ramen and the chicken that was in it was that awful fake plastic chicken. even the free ice cream tastes nicer in chilli pad

(waits for someone to say it's the same ice-cream)

.red. · 23-05-2015 06:35PM

limnam wrote: »

Can't really compare chilli pad to Ramen, Chilli Pad is a million miles ahead on all fronts. Flavor quality of the ingridients, portions. I sent out a search party for the chicken in my tikka in Ramen and the chicken that was in it was that awful fake plastic chicken. even the free ice cream tastes nicer in chilli pad

(waits for someone to say it's the same ice-cream)

Did the chicken ever turn up?

24-05-2015 10:03AM

Does anyone know whether Palmentos in Douglas do takeaway/collection?

Nonoperational · 24-05-2015 11:51AM

They do. Unfortunately the last pizza I had there had a very wet base, not as all crisp. Nice flavour but way over topped and soggy as a result.

The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

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