The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

sporina · 14-05-2016 01:11AM

ffs no decent thai in town now at all.. grr

Nonoperational · 14-05-2016 02:56AM

rob316 wrote: »

The locations are cat when you compare them to ramen. The food on the other hand is streets ahead.

Jimmy the manager in father Matthew st is sound so nice to my son and loyal to the regulars like myself. I'll be going there tomorrow to wish them the best.

The full menu is €8 tomorrow

I've seen that posted here, but the past few times I went I really couldn't agree. It's nice, the same way Ramen is, but the rice was gone hard on top from sitting around and the Pad Thai had very little chicken.

They were very friendly though and I had taken to going there because I couldn't get through to Ramen on the phone. I suppose that tells enough in itself. If it genuinely was far superior it wouldn't be so quiet.

pwurple · 14-05-2016 07:39AM

limnam wrote: »

The constant closing and opening of places might also play a part in that.

I really would struggle to come up with 70+ places I would be willing to go for dinner in the city. I might manage 10

Yes, some close alright. Augustines, oysters, zamora and Huguenot are missed!

We include the burbs and maybe places within a short drive like flemings... But there are some interesting spots around that people sometimes overlook. I've had lovely food in Sultans, and cafe gusto at night, would they be in your ten?

sporina · 14-05-2016 11:17AM

i find Cafe Gusto so claustrophobic,..

anyone been to Serendipity? The next time I have a need to go out for nice nosh I'll go there..

But Man I love Orso... and miss Zamora...

pwurple · 14-05-2016 11:58PM

Yes, serendipity is a nice spot. Lovely area there by the river and the food is good.

You don't find Orso claustrophobic too? I'd have thought their table arrangements and the size of the place was similar to cafe gusto.

sporina · 15-05-2016 09:48AM

pwurple wrote: »

Yes, serendipity is a nice spot. Lovely area there by the river and the food is good.

You don't find Orso claustrophobic too? I'd have thought their table arrangements and the size of the place was similar to cafe gusto.

yeah Osro is v small but its doesn't feel so claustrophobic.. but I do prefer it when its not so busy -late lunch/early dinner... and the food is sooo worth it though and there is nothing else like it in the city; (maybe the sultan but i'm not a fan for other reasons)..

Although cafe gusto similar in size to Orso, I think its the fact that the seats are high - makes it even more confined.. and I find it higgildy piggidly.. i'm really not comfortable in there.. esp at night when its hot and loud.. and the food does not compensate - for me anyway

Unz88 · 15-05-2016 11:17PM

What's the best time to turn up at Orso on a weekend night if looking to get a table? What about weekdays?

sporina · 16-05-2016 01:14PM

Unz88 wrote: »

What's the best time to turn up at Orso on a weekend night if looking to get a table? What about weekdays?

early eve - earlier on the weekends.. but, pending on what time you want to eat... busier on weekends obviously

limnam · 16-05-2016 09:46PM

pwurple wrote: »

Yes, some close alright. Augustines, oysters, zamora and Huguenot are missed!

We include the burbs and maybe places within a short drive like flemings... But there are some interesting spots around that people sometimes overlook. I've had lovely food in Sultans, and cafe gusto at night, would they be in your ten?

Somewhere like gusto is fine for quick bite at lunch if I'm all ready in town and around that general area, it's never a place I would make an effort to go out to of an evening for dinner one of the reasons all ready mentioned I hate the chairs.

I would say I need to venture more into other "burbs" apart from my own and probably kinsale / douglas to expand the horizons a bit more. I was referring in the OP more to around the city center itself.

limnam · 16-05-2016 09:51PM

J Mysterio wrote: »

I for one am not surprised. They used to make the best Beef Rendang ive ever had but the standard plummeted a while back.

I know someone in the business who has personal knowledge of those involved and, basically, they didnt want to pay the original chef his due and he moved on... Cue massive drop in standards w/ new chefs.

I also was a huge fan of the beef it was top notch, you're right it did take a dip but I've had it recently and it was pretty much back to the way it was.

These places rarely can be held hostage by a chef as once the dishes are arranged it's pretty much cook by the numbers and almost anyone should be able to put most of them together so I wouldn't put too much into a chef leaving a place like chilli pad

J Mysterio · 17-05-2016 11:15PM

limnam wrote: »

These places rarely can be held hostage by a chef as once the dishes are arranged it's pretty much cook by the numbers and almost anyone should be able to put most of them together

You would think so but my experience is that the lack of a proper chef results in food being poorly cooked (the rendang is dry whereas before it was melt in the mouth), the flavour is not there (poorly seasoned) and the consistency is wrong (swimming in liquid).

Cooking by numbers does not work for proper restaurants. I used to go out of my way to go to Chili Padi, now I might as well order from my (unimpressive) local.

Unfortunately business' some times try to cut corners or reduce overheads and just lose out on quality.

the beer revolu · 18-05-2016 09:32AM

I had a stunning tasting menu in Green's last night. Seriously good cooking. It's years since I was there but I hope to return soon!

pwurple · 18-05-2016 07:03PM

Oldie but a goodie recommendation is Star Anise on bridge street. Great meal the other night, and they are doing an early bird all evening tuesday, wednesday, thursday and before some time on friday saturday I think. Check their website/facebook. 23 euro for two courses, 27 for three.

I had crab croquettes for starts, and fish of the day main. Crab came with a tasty dressed salad. fish was with a buerre blanc, potatos and greens. Really lovely dishes. Passion fruit posset afterwards, good 'n sharp, lovely textures with a thin biscuit. The rest of our table tried out other bits on the menu, like duck confit, chowder, ham hock terrine. Mr pwurple had a 10oz steak, cooked rare just like he asked for, which is unusual enough to be mentioned!

Arnie style, I'll be back.

Nonoperational · 18-05-2016 10:44PM

Good to hear Greenes was good. Had a brilliant meal and a poor meal there in the past year. I like it though. Nice dining room.

the beer revolu · 23-05-2016 03:55PM

rob316 wrote: »

Gutted to hear chilli padi on father Matthew street is closing it's doors tomorrow.

Passed there today and it was open with a sign up looking for staff.

Nonoperational · 23-05-2016 05:43PM

Its not the same crowd.

TrustedApple · 24-05-2016 06:54AM

Nonoperational wrote: »

Its not the same crowd.

Then who opened there?. What kind of food ?.

I still think the best of out them all in the city is box noodle.

sporina · 24-05-2016 02:36PM

TrustedApple wrote: »

Then who opened there?. What kind of food ?.

I still think the best of out them all in the city is box noodle.

i hope its a really good thai.. hmm.. Ramen does not cut if for me.. I'd rather make it myself than bother with it.. just being totally honest... the quality (and flavour) is not there (for me)..

TeletextPear · 24-05-2016 07:19PM

sporina wrote: »

i hope its a really good thai.. hmm.. Ramen does not cut if for me.. I'd rather make it myself than bother with it.. just being totally honest... the quality (and flavour) is not there (for me)..

Have you tried Golden Elephant in Douglas? Amazing Thai place

sporina · 25-05-2016 01:15PM

TeletextPear wrote: »

Have you tried Golden Elephant in Douglas? Amazing Thai place

i usually only ever get that kind of food as a take out.. and i live on the north side so it would be too far as a delivery or collection - but i will note it for future reference.. this kind of food can also be easily microwaved..

25-05-2016 01:36PM

TeletextPear wrote: »

Have you tried Golden Elephant in Douglas? Amazing Thai place

Fab Thai! Service is great. Food is amazing. Seats are snug though!!! ( diet starts tomorrow)

sporina · 25-05-2016 06:01PM

Zayn Colossal Stance wrote: »

Fab Thai! Service is great. Food is amazing. Seats are snug though!!! ( diet starts tomorrow)

??

sporina · 31-05-2016 04:42PM

loving salads for lunch - sublime... although there was not much left at 2pm today,.. must have been unreal busy there earlier... not surprising though.. salads divine..

rob316 · 31-05-2016 04:48PM

Hey Presto, new place on Paul St is fantastic, been a few times now. Fast, tasty and filling portions of salad or pasta (Bolognese, carbonara, arabiatta) for €7.50.

anyone else been?

whatever76 · 31-05-2016 06:02PM

rob316 wrote: »

Hey Presto, new place on Paul St is fantastic, been a few times now. Fast, tasty and filling portions of salad or pasta (Bolognese, carbonara, arabiatta) for 7.50.

anyone else been?

funny you mentioned this place - my friend over weekend raved about that place and I never even heard of it .... must try it out now !!

sporina · 31-05-2016 07:31PM

any word on whats in where chili padi was?

confusticated · 31-05-2016 10:08PM

Walked past the other evening and from south mall it looked to still be open as chilli padi, sign was up anyway.

Nonoperational · 01-06-2016 05:26PM

The original owners put up a Facebook post saying it wasn't the original Chilli Padi.

J Mysterio · 01-06-2016 05:33PM

Nonoperational wrote: »

The original owners put up a Facebook post saying it wasn't the original Chili Padi.

What a clusterfùck.

Nonoperational · 01-06-2016 05:37PM

'Important Notice!!!
Followed by a recent query from our customer and just to clarify that the restaurant now in Father Mathew Street is not under our Brand name Chilli Padi.☺"

The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

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