Post your Waterford restaurant reviews here..

abouttobebanned

A very suspicious review. This is a harsh critic and even though two of the dishes were poor he gave them a high mark? Also, he wasn't charged for the two troublesome dishes...would that happen to you or me? I very much doubt it. I think there's a relationship between reviewer and reviewee (I may have made up a word there)

JPA

abouttobebanned wrote: »

A very suspicious review. This is a harsh critic and even though two of the dishes were poor he gave them a high mark? Also, he wasn't charged for the two troublesome dishes...would that happen to you or me? I very much doubt it. I think there's a relationship between reviewer and reviewee (I may have made up a word there)

I dunno. If he wasn't being honest then he could have left the bad bits out entirely.

abouttobebanned

then it would have been too obvious

JPA

abouttobebanned wrote: »

then it would have been too obvious

do you know who Paulo Tullio is?

flan59

I was in Il Valerio, it was the worst service and meal I have ever had. I menu betwen two of us, 15 mins to take an order, 30 mins after you finish the starter the main arrived. The little guy who owns it does shag all only walk about with his hands behind his back. When i complained at the end he said he was having problem with the kitchen that night, I dread to think what it would be like if he was busy. He did ask me back but I told him I would starve first. Give me Emilianos (Italian)any time for good food, good service and a nice atomosphere. La Palma (Italian)on the Mall is a little more up market but is also excellent, they do a very good early bird. There is also a new place on the Quay near Reginalds Tower, used to be Sizzlers, heard its very good (Italian). For Indian I think GOA is very good on the Quay, friendly owner, nice atmosphere, compact. Fitzpatricks on the Cork Road has a good reputation for food and is always very busy for Sunday Lunch. Becketts on the Dunmore Road is C**P, not worth the journey. Passed by Johnny Fans in High Street, its closed????. L'Atmosphere in Henrietta Street formerly The Gooses Barbecue has a very good early bird, €20 with a glass of Wine, A La Carte starters are €7-€12, mains €23-€30 and desserts €6-€10, a bit pricey, go for the early bird up to 7pm.

abouttobebanned

JPA wrote: »

do you know who Paulo Tullio is?

Of course i do. But the owners of that restaurant are Italian also...and you never know. It's because I know who Paulo is that I was so suspicious of the score they received.

JPA

abouttobebanned wrote: »

Of course i do. But the owners of that restaurant are Italian also...and you never know. It's because I know who Paulo is that I was so suspicious of the score they received.

You could be right. It's got some very bad reviews in this thread. But then I think Paulo Tullio wouldn't be successful if he did things like that.

Diver79

I had a meal in La Boheme for the 2nd time last Friday night. Thankfully the 2nd meal was even nicer than the first, and less expensive.

On offer for €35 was a three course meal consisting of soup of the day, cappaccio of tuna and a salid (i think). The main courses were ribeye of steak in peppercorn sauce, roast duck in red wine sauce and a fesh cod dish.

We both had the soup which was a cale and potato soup. One of the tastiest soups I have ever had the pleasure to taste.

My Duck dish came with a celery type veg called pak choy. Couldnt reccomend his much but the duck itself was cooked to perfection. Crispy skin and soft delicate meat. The red wine sauce was quite tasty but lacked in substance (I needed more sauce).
My better half had a medium steak, which as you would expect in a french restaurant was quite bloody. Again the pepper sauce was nice but the steak itself was the only letdown, way too fatty. The main dishes came with a small amount of mashed potatoes and veg served seperately. I would have liked more potatoes. The spuds themselves had a hint of mustard through them, Im not a lover of mustard but these were delish!

The desserts were nice enough but there wasnt a great selection, creme brulee, chocolate cake or a selection of cheeses.

All in all this was a great meal. Good service, nice atmosphere and great food. The downsides were, paying €6 for a bottles of water and the slightly fatty steak. I wouldnt knock them on the portions as I was still quite full after the meal.

Highly reccomended.

deisemum

Thanks to all who recommended La Taverna as I hadn't heard of it until I saw it recommended on this thread.

3 of my friends and myself ate there tonight after I mentioned the recommendations it got here. We loved everything about it. Loved the food and wine. The staff were very friendly.

We had 1 bottle of wine, bottles of mineral water, 3 starters, 4 mains with 3 side orders, 3 desserts, coffees and it came to just under €150.

I was delighted that my friends enjoyed it as you hope things live up to their recommendations.

We're definitely going back there again.

I saw a sign promoting Mondays and Tuesdays all you can eat pizza buffets for €15, think it included a drink.

Libby029

I don't know if this place has been mentioned in an earlier post, but La Fontana on the quay (sizzlers) is absolutely smashing. It is Italian, and from what I can see the chefs are previous chefs from Emilianos. The food is gorgeous. They do an early bird for 19.99, which includes starters, main course, and desert. Every bit of it is gorgeous. Really good food. So if ye are looking for a good cheap meal, check out La Fontana..

Baby4

This post has been deleted.

deisemum

Baby4 wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

High Street near The Happy Garden

karenmaryobrien

>>You could be right. It's got some very bad reviews in this thread. But >>then I think Paulo Tullio wouldn't be successful if he did things like that.

I reckon Paulo Tulio did have a good experience and that it's a genuine review - but it's funny, I think I would trust reviews from this forum rather than a review from a food critic. Especially as the review is based on just the one time eating there (and also because he is a well known food critic he is probably treated differently than the average punter). I agree with the whole theory that the combined opinion of the masses can often be more accurate than the opinion of one specialist!

Sorry to blather on off topic! Back on topic (kinda) I'd recommend Banyan restaurant in Tramore for a special meal (worth travelling from Waterford if you can). Very nice place, great food, great service (read more about it in the Waterford County Restaurant Reviews forum http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055234914).

Roanmore

Libby029 wrote: »

I don't know if this place has been mentioned in an earlier post, but La Fontana on the quay (sizzlers) is absolutely smashing. It is Italian, and from what I can see the chefs are previous chefs from Emilianos. The food is gorgeous. They do an early bird for 19.99, which includes starters, main course, and desert. Every bit of it is gorgeous. Really good food. So if ye are looking for a good cheap meal, check out La Fontana..

Hi Libby, I wrote a review of this place almost exactly a year ago on page 2 of this thread, good to see it has improved. In all fairness it wasn't open that long at the time.

flan59

Was in Goa, Indian on the Quay last night, No sign of a recession in the business there, I say a lot of people turned away at the door. Lots of take aways going out too. The place was jammers. Had two mains two naans, two pilau, and 1/2wine for €50. Very friendly the big guy that owns it, good buzz in the place will go back again.

DanGlee

Well, I had my meal at the castle last night with the missus and I have to say it was the best meal I've had to date.

The service was totally first class...

The food was fantastic. I had:

An Oyster for pre-starter
Muscle Risotto
Cherry Sorbet
Steak (Hmmmmm...)
Apple Crumble
Cappuccino (and complementary chocs)
2 Glasses of red wine...

It was divine all the way and only €65 per head.

I would definitely recommend to anybody...

durrus

Glad to hear it went well, thanks for posting. There's always a fear when you recommend someplace that it will fail to live up to the standard.

The menu sounds great - I've had one of my two meals in Waterford Castle already this year so I probably won't get back there again until later in the year but I'm already looking forward to it.

Anybody else head out to eat for Valentines? How did it go?

Sully

Was there last night with herself. Was hoping everything would be okay as the run up to the night with their staff was very poor. Some emails went on ignored, calling the hotel and it just rang out, eventually getting an answer to find out they have no record of my booking and after several more phone calls and reassurances they would call me back (which they didn't) they sorted me out with a table at 6.30 (originally booked for 9) and promised to send me a booking confirmation (never got it). Iv dealt with a lot of hotels around Ireland and this has to be the worst experience I have had to date.

However, the night itself was pretty much perfect. It was my first time in the Castle and would have no hesitations returning. Had a drink in the bar where they took our order and brought us into the restaurant when our starters were nearly ready. The place was lovely and prepared very well. Both of us went for the tomato soup, fillet steak and chocolate fondant desert. We skipped the appetiser but were given oysters. The food was gorgeous and portions were decent. It was very relaxing and the music added to the atmosphere. We were to full to finish the complementary chocolates tho!

Not sure I agree with taking 10% service charge though.

(Btw, ill move this topic to the review thread now)

noby

We went to Waterford Castle the weekend before last. As was said I couldn't fault the service or the food.
The one big gripe was that when we arrived (about 7pm) there was no fire lighting, either in the main reception or in the bar. I had never been there before so crossing over to the island, the drive up, and the castle itself were all lovely, but when you walk into a big old building on a cold night and there's no open fire it kind of put a dampner on it.
Still, we didn't let it spoil the night, and by the time dinner was over there was a blazing fire in the reception, so we warmed ourselves up before heading home.

Ausone

Late last week me and mrs were given the opportunity to go out for a meal. Grabbed the chance with both hands.

We decided to try Chez K's at the Fitzwilton (?) on Mary St.
We didn't have the number but on passing the door say it was open til 9.30pm. It was just before 9pm.
Drove into the car park, ask the intercom if I could park there for the restaurant, disembodied voice say OK and barrier opened.
Squeezed car, sardine like, into a tight spot in a carniverous fever.

Walked round to the front door, stepped inside and waited to be seated....waited another few minutes, diners looking at us sympathetically and glancing around to see if there was staff around. 5 tables occupied maybe 10-12 diners there.

After a wait, it must have been 5 minutes, waiter arrives from around a corner. It was still about ten past nine at this stage.

"Can I have a table for 2 please?" Said I, "Kitchen closes at 9", says he.

Blink, Blink, Blink...

Turn on heel, walk out, check that the sign outside does indeed say "..to 9.30pm" for Wed to Sat.

I should have done the you are overhead, I am turnover speech, but screamed internally instead. I won't be going back.

We went to Cafe Goa on the quay instead, place was buzzing, huge portions, delicious food, interesting service. Should have gone there first.

If I were to nit pick...(me nit pick???) I would say that the tables are too small for all of the stuff they bring, and the Naan bread was a dry and doughy, like it didn't have enough oil in it. Soaked up the balti sauce well enough tho.

Moral of the story, If you want a steak, go to Cafe Goa! Lol!

abouttobebanned

What's "interesting" service?

Ausone

Amusing, noteworthy etc etc
Waiter asking do you want more poppadums and not taking no for an answer a la Tea with the houskeeper in Father Ted.

The Chef (probably not THE chef, but someone from the kitchen staff) legging it out to buy something in the shop down the road, presumably cos they ran out.

It was not polished michelin star service, but friendly homely and attentive. I enjoyed the distraction.

wmpdd3

Went to Goa on Saturday night, table of 12, absoluatly brilliant can't wait to go back. Def best Indian in Waterford. Very friendly, nothing too much trouble even gave us some spices going home!

Gulamugas

Dont know if this has been dealt with here but has anyone experienced a "back ? " charge. I understand a restaurant in Tramore is charging a standard €4 per bill for this. It is apparently to cover the cost of disposing whatever lefovers may be left on the plate!!

JPA

Gulamugas wrote: »

Dont know if this has been dealt with here but has anyone experienced a "back ? " charge. I understand a restaurant in Tramore is charging a standard €4 per bill for this. It is apparently to cover the cost of disposing whatever lefovers may be left on the plate!!

WTF?

ziedth

I can guarantee there would never be any left overs on my plate.

scout353

Gulamugas wrote: »

Dont know if this has been dealt with here but has anyone experienced a "back ? " charge. I understand a restaurant in Tramore is charging a standard €4 per bill for this. It is apparently to cover the cost of disposing whatever lefovers may be left on the plate!!

Can you elaborate and name the restaurant!

Sounds disgraceful to me...... I go to a restaurant, deciding to chose this place over another, hand over €50 or €60 a head for the food and they want another €4 to get rid of the leftovers.

They won't be getting my business !!!!!!

durrus

Or how about this? In London last week in Richard Corrigans restaurant we had to pay a £2 cover charge just for the privilige of choosing to spend money there. It'll never catch on - I hope!

Ausone

There is an ad on Radio currently,
"The napkins don't fold themselves, you know."

I hope you took it from the tip, at the very least!!!!

durrus

Well of course that's the other thing with most London restaurants - and I assume the rest of the UK? - the service charge is added to your bill for you and described as 'discretionary service'. So to not pay it means making a fuss about bad service, which in this case was not a problem as the service was great. I have seen it at one other London restaurant that you have to pay a cover charge just to sit there.