The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

nerwen · 11-03-2016 02:26PM

Just came back from lunch which was a big margherita pizza at Ristorante Rossini for €10. Bargain for really good, simple, Italian style pizza.

Malari · 11-03-2016 02:35PM

nerwen wrote: »

Just came back from lunch which was a big margherita pizza at Ristorante Rossini for €10. Bargain for really good, simple, Italian style pizza.

Oh I was in Rossini's for the first time in years recently and I thought it was awful. Now I didn't have the pizza, so I'm not doubting you :P My pasta was so hot that I was nearly finished it before I could eat a mouthful without blowing on it first, and I am not a fast eater! Also the sauce was kind of hardened around the edges of the dish, as if it had been microwaved. Just terrible.

.red. · 11-03-2016 02:36PM

Lemag wrote: »

Best place for a quickish lunch before flying out of Cork Airport? Within short walking distance, like. Thanks.

Inside the airport there isnt much and whats there isnt great. The last call bar after security is the best of a bad bunch.
Both hotels are worth checking out tho. The International Hotel is really nice but a tad exensive. The other one, cant remember the name since they changed it but its to the right if your looking up from the terminal. This is also nice and probably a little cheaper. Both are only 2/3 min walk from the terminal door.
Another nice option is the clay pot cafe in the business park. When you come out the door of the terminal youll see a set of steps going up the grassy hill. Go up and cross at the lights and follow the path towards the business park and its the first unit you come to. Its nice but very busy between about 1230-2pm. Its literaly a 90 second walk from the terminal.

flangemeistro · 11-03-2016 02:53PM

Lemag wrote: »

Best place for a quickish lunch before flying out of Cork Airport? Within short walking distance, like. Thanks.

Get the fish and chips in the New Yorker Bar and Bistro in the Cork international hotel.
Just had it this last Sunday and it's delicious, the fish cakes are also nice and theres nice chill out areas dotted all around.
It's a beautiful hotel.

leahyl · 11-03-2016 03:02PM

Went to serendipity for lunch today with work colleagues - absolutely beautiful. Had the vegetarian quiche (Mediterranean veg, spinach and cheddar) and side salad, then had mixed berry crumble for dessert - all for 11.50 - thought it was great value

Must try it for dinner some night.

Curb Your Enthusiasm · 11-03-2016 04:49PM

Turns out I had €6 groupon referral credit on my account, so got a €40 Lal Quila voucher for €14

how bad!

Will try it out tonight and let ye guys know.

sporina · 11-03-2016 11:30PM

Malari wrote: »

Oh I was in Rossini's for the first time in years recently and I thought it was awful. Now I didn't have the pizza, so I'm not doubting you :P My pasta was so hot that I was nearly finished it before I could eat a mouthful without blowing on it first, and I am not a fast eater! Also the sauce was kind of hardened around the edges of the dish, as if it had been microwaved. Just terrible.

ekk I have only been to Rossini's twice and twice too often at that... i have nothing good to say about the place.. and on the contrary for the staff, food and general atm of the place...

I don't understand how its popular and existing so long..

Curb Your Enthusiasm · 11-03-2016 11:34PM

Well, Lal Quila was pretty good.

Service was only okay but food was delicious. I had a Chicken Korma with a peshwari naan, and my father had the Tikka Masala. Would return with vouchers only, as the food is quite dear on its own

28srf0c · 12-03-2016 10:23AM

Curb Your Enthusiasm wrote: »

Lal Quila in Douglas, opinions? Groupon voucher deal at the moment so thinking of trying it out.

Their menu is about an inch thick. They do every Indian, Chinese, Italian, Thai, European dish you can imagine. All pizzas are €4.99 no matter the topping. Very odd. Anyway I ate there before and I'm still alive. That's my review.

J Mysterio · 12-03-2016 02:22PM

pwurple wrote: »

Maybe give it a go and see for yourself. The food is... Ok.

I am beyond suspicius of that place these days, which would be my main reason for avoiding. They have constant groupons, the staff seem to actually live on the premises. The food menu is ginormous. I have no idea how they stock a kitchen to do it with fresh food. I cannot see how they are making money legitimately.

They have a lot of bad reviews on Justeat and have a 20% discount there too. They seem to be struggling.

Any place that sells pizza and Indian together is immediately eyed with suspicion in my book.

I did get a Vindaloo from there once which almost killed me.

Malari · 12-03-2016 03:01PM

The last time I was in Lal Quila they took it upon themselves to just keep the change when we paid the bill.

dudara · 12-03-2016 04:34PM

I remember when Lal Quila opened first (10+ years ago), it was really quite good. Very authentic Indian food. I remember getting a pickle curry there that you wouldn't get in most places. Then a few years later I went back and the place had completely changed. The menu had gone generic and expanded to cover everything. Never went back again.

kcb · 12-03-2016 07:10PM

dudara wrote: »

I remember when Lal Quila opened first (10+ years ago), it was really quite good. Very authentic Indian food. I remember getting a pickle curry there that you wouldn't get in most places. Then a few years later I went back and the place had completely changed. The menu had gone generic and expanded to cover everything. Never went back again.

It's a shame. I suppose owners get tired. Two examples above though of the many restaurants in Cork that should have thrown in the towel a long time ago, but, as lots of people will eat anything, they just can't do it!

Rossini
Lal Quila
Eco
Cornmarket
That place opposite the opera house

Brandon F · 12-03-2016 07:15PM

kcb wrote: »

It's a shame. I suppose owners get tired. Two examples above though of the many restaurants in Cork that should have thrown in the towel a long time ago, but, as lots of people will eat anything, they just can't do it!

Rossini
Lal Quila
Eco
Cornmarket
That place opposite the opera house

I don't get the hate for Eco. I dislike how you're on top of each other eating and the lack of a drinks menu but the food is consistently good. I've had quite a bit of the menu ( a very big menu, which I usually hate) and the majority of it has been satisfactory at the very least.

Curb Your Enthusiasm · 12-03-2016 09:36PM

J Mysterio wrote: »

They have a lot of bad reviews on Justeat and have a 20% discount there too. They seem to be struggling.

Any place that sells pizza and Indian together is immediately eyed with suspicion in my book.

I did get a Vindaloo from there once which almost killed me.

They just opened another branch in the city. They seem to be doing ok in that regard

Malari · 12-03-2016 09:54PM

Curb Your Enthusiasm wrote: »

They just opened another branch in the city. They seem to be doing ok in that regard

Really?! God, where's that?

Curb Your Enthusiasm · 12-03-2016 10:03PM

Malari wrote: »

Really?! God, where's that?

Popes Quay. They took over the Charcoal Grill.

confusticated · 12-03-2016 10:47PM

Curb Your Enthusiasm wrote: »

Popes Quay. They took over the Charcoal Grill.

Got takeaway from there last week, it was nice. Bit expensive, but good.

JakeArmitage · 13-03-2016 03:45AM

whats elbow lane like?

kcb · 13-03-2016 06:47AM

Curb Your Enthusiasm wrote: »

Popes Quay. They took over the Charcoal Grill.

I think they also own the The Spice of India in Bishopstown.

I would rate this place as average although with vouchers involved it's not a bad place for a few lads to get a curry and beer.

Their peshwari naan is a real frozen aisle thing.

Rice has been hit and miss.

Dishes that I've had are quite nice.

One thing I would say, they are pleasant to deal with and make no issue of having vouchers; more than one is allowed per table. You find some places that make it very awkward using the vouchers.

pwurple · 13-03-2016 08:03AM

JakeArmitage wrote: »

whats elbow lane like?

Elbow lane has good steak. I love the charred things they do there.

It's very popular and they don't take bookings is the problem.

pwurple · 13-03-2016 08:07AM

Big recommendation for Napoli in Monkstown. They do an evening meal on fridays. 25 euro, 4 courses, no choices. Really great italian food. Takes about 3 hours, good spot for a long lingering dinner with friends who enjoy food.

menu changes, but there's an example on this link.

https://www.facebook.com/108028675926202/photos/a.186882388040830.50157.108028675926202/1053199151409145/?type=3&theater

Malari · 13-03-2016 08:46AM

I'm glad Napoli is still going. I haven't been in a while but it's a great treat!

La Dolce Vite is another Italian that has amazing food, very authentic. The mixed grilled fish is so delicious! Costs more than a 3 course meal in Napoli but totally worth it :-D

sozbox · 13-03-2016 09:30AM

JakeArmitage wrote: »

whats elbow lane like?

Lovely if you can get a table.

Walked in on 7.20pm on a Friday night last year, left my number on their list, got called at 10.15pm to say my table was ready. A group of us had gone for drinks to wait and were half cut and starved to death at this point so didn't really enjoy the food as we ate so fast!

Walked in at 5.45pm on a Saturday last month, left my number on their list got called at 7.50pm for a table, we went back and the food was great, though being on the verge of starvation probably helps.

Walked in last night at 7.40pm, left my number again and got called at 10.05pm saying my table was ready, we had eaten and gone home at this stage!

It kind of puts me off planning to go there as I know I'll be asked to wait and end up somewhere else so it's a disappointment in the end.

Malari · 13-03-2016 09:34AM

That is a big drawback for Elbow Lane, although the food is fantastic. Obviously if you are looking for a table for two it'll be faster than the wait for a larger party though.

sozbox · 13-03-2016 09:36AM

Malari wrote: »

That is a big drawback for Elbow Lane, although the food is fantastic. Obviously if you are looking for a table for two it'll be faster than the wait for a larger party though.

Two of the time I mentioned above were a table for two, didn't seem to impact the wait time, though I thought too it would be quicker!

Malari · 13-03-2016 09:46AM

sozbox wrote: »

Two of the time I mentioned above were a table for two, didn't seem to impact the wait time, though I thought too it would be quicker!

I guess it's taking a chance then! I can see why they do it though, as the restaurant is so small that if they took bookings the place would be half empty all the time.

sozbox · 13-03-2016 09:53AM

Malari wrote: »

I guess it's taking a chance then! I can see why they do it though, as the restaurant is so small that if they took bookings the place would be half empty all the time.

Going to Elbow Lane is like deciding to go on the pull Saturday night.

You look forward to it all week, dress up nice when the big day comes, maybe put a bit of gel in the hair and break out the nice aftershave, just a dollop though, not too much.

You have a drink at home as the excitement builds and finally head into the city full of confidence. But you somehow end up in Burger King at the end of the night wiping whopper sauce form your chin and wondering where it all went wrong

the beer revolu · 13-03-2016 11:40AM

Malari wrote: »

La Dolce Vite is another Italian that has amazing food, very authentic. The mixed grilled fish is so delicious! Costs more than a 3 course meal in Napoli but totally worth it :-D

I've had pizza there that I've really enjoyed but my wife was there recently and brought home some osso bucco that she couldn't finish. It was real canteen cooking. The meat had a very strong taste of too much cheap dried herbs and the risotto just tasted of cheap stock cubes. All far too salty, as well. lt really put me off going there again.

Malari · 13-03-2016 11:44AM

the beer revolu wrote: »

I've had pizza there that I've really enjoyed but my wife was there recently and brought home some osso bucco that she couldn't finish. It was real canteen cooking. The meat had a very strong taste of too much cheap dried herbs and the risotto just tasted of cheap stock cubes. It really put me off going there again.

That's a shame. My dining partner had the lamb special with risotto and it was really tasty and cooked perfectly.

The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

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