Drogheda Restaurant Reviews

Dingatron

positron wrote: »

CMpunked wrote: »

I'm live-posting direct from...

Now that's a first for this thread and possibly boards! A live-cast of a night out in town. Are you taking requests?

We need a video stream.

CMpunked

Just finished in harpers and felt content and sat sideways on the seat in one of the cubby holes. I had the blind waitress who couldn't see my arms flailing at her and tell me to take my feet down like I was a child.
Fair enough, inform me not to do that but don't degrade me at the same time.

The staff of this place really let it down.
As I said, the paninni was nice but for the price you can get much better food at the same caliber for the same price or even cheaper from te likes of jaffas and bia.

To conclude, I will not be back. The food is fine but below standard for the asking price. The staff (with the exception of the manager) reflect the food, grand for what they are.
Oh and also, the tap water tasted like dishwater. I know for drogheda that's expected, but for the love of god they should invest in a britta filter or something.

furiousox

delicious 2012 wrote: »

I am dsiappointed to think that you think I have any association with this restaurant or any restaurant. This is my first time contributing to the forum as I only stumbled across it and as I eat in a lot of different places in town decided that I would become a member.
This is my review of the restaurant and it is what I write. I can assure you and any of the contributors to this forum that I am a genuine member of the public. I can see that probably for my first contribution to be praiseworthy could raise suspicions.
Once again my review stands as written. I can tell you I am far from the food business too, and it is aservice i wouldn't envy anyone to be in these days.
Many thanks, for reading my thread and to Dark Saga, I hope that this is an adequate response to your reply to my thread and if not there is no more I can say.
However I do intend in continuing to use this forum as it is good.

So what did you have to eat?

furiousox

bastados wrote: »

.....Love to know if theres any decent indian houses in town or nearby.

Punjabi House on the Dublin Rd (beside the Railway Arms/Esso Garage)
Really like that place.

bastados

Live stream eh?..never realized this thread was so exciting...you guys need a raise

CMpunked

bastados wrote: »

Live stream eh?..never realized this thread was so exciting...you guys need a raise

The coke and hookers are more than enough.

Zell

I ate in Harpers today also and was disappointed. Decor is lovely, seats comfortable but food is only ok. I had winter salad, which was really cajun chicken with salad, friend had chowder and was rated it very poor, too much cornflour and not enough cream. Wouldn't bother going back especially as we waited more than 10 mins for a table.

Quality

delicious 2012 wrote: »

I am dsiappointed to think that you think I have any association with this restaurant or any restaurant. This is my first time contributing to the forum as I only stumbled across it and as I eat in a lot of different places in town decided that I would become a member.

This is my review of the restaurant and it is what I write. I can assure you and any of the contributors to this forum that I am a genuine member of the public. I can see that probably for my first contribution to be praiseworthy could raise suspicions.

Once again my review stands as written. I can tell you I am far from the food business too, and it is aservice i wouldn't envy anyone to be in these days.

Many thanks, for reading my thread and to Dark Saga, I hope that this is an adequate response to your reply to my thread and if not there is no more I can say.
However I do intend in continuing to use this forum as it is good.

time for cat pictures...

kbell

Zell wrote: »

I ate in Harpers today also and was disappointed.

Where abouts is Harpers?

CMpunked

kbell wrote: »

Where abouts is Harpers?

On the corner across from Wogans.
Used to be the wise owl and then a mens clothes shop-come-disco.

kbell

Ah right.. cheers!

Darksaga87

I stand by my first 2 visits to harpers. It's terrible. Food is nasty to put it nicely.
Staff are useless. And the fact I've heard from so many people that they have complained, it's still the same, makes you wonder.

Atomic Pineapple

Where would people recommend in Drogheda for a nice fancy but affordable evening meal? (around €80 for two not including drinks) Somewhere I can get a nice steak!

Fursttimer

_Godot_ wrote: »

Went to Antica Toscana for the first time. I got the pasta which had sausage in it. It was lovely.

Went here too over Xmas for the first time and really enjoyed it. Real yummy food and great staff I must add.

Tried the sausage from someone elses plate and it was gorgeous. We've cut down hugely on eating out but will def return sometime to Antica Toscana in the coming months.

I had bruschetta to start and risotto for mains (surprisingly a plentiful amount). Both were delicious. Unaware of cost as I was part of a large contingent.

Thumbs up from me though

Darksaga87

draffodx wrote: »

Where would people recommend in Drogheda for a nice fancy but affordable evening meal? (around €80 for two not including drinks) Somewhere I can get a nice steak!

Eastern seaboard do a nice steak. About 20 ish quid.

markc1184

X2 on the Eastern Seaboard. Very nice steak IMO.

whelan1

draffodx wrote: »

Where would people recommend in Drogheda for a nice fancy but affordable evening meal? (around €80 for two not including drinks) Somewhere I can get a nice steak!

donegans are doing the 4 course meal for €25 with steak included, was there the other evening and was lovely, get your potatoes, mushrooms and onions with your steak... lovely meal.. kids meals are a little pricey though and ds chips where reheats ( very hard and crispy)

gipi

There's also steak on the menu at the d Hotel.

Atomic Pineapple

whelan1 wrote: »

donegans are doing the 4 course meal for €25 with steak included, was there the other evening and was lovely, get your potatoes, mushrooms and onions with your steak... lovely meal.. kids meals are a little pricey though and ds chips where reheats ( very hard and crispy)

Been there a lot so would like to try something different, somewhere thats more couple orientated rather than family and kids orientated.

Scotty #

+1 for the Eastern Seaboard. Really good food for the money though a little crowded at times.

Love my steak and heard great things about Donnigans when I moved to Drogheda. Tried it once and never again! The Mrs's steak was rear after asking for well done. Sent it back and it was returned 5 mins later still rear but this time with the pepper sauce grilled in. Refused to pay for it and told them I won't be returning. This was after waiting an hour for a table we had booked!

CMpunked

Bru do a deadly steak too. Really really succulent.
Had a Eastern Seaboard one a few weeks ago and it was nice, but brus was better.

gordon hatch

The Quays restaurant on Wellington Quay (Just up from Bru towards Garda station direction) do steak on a stone (a bit gimmicky I know but hey!) BTW I have never tried it so won't comment on the taste.
I have had steak in a lot of local restaurants and have to say I have had massive differences in presentation, taste, and PRICE! To be honest that's why I don't really buy steak when Im out anymore because the prices is not justified.
Can't beat Irish Beef but rather cook it at home myself.

furiousox

I think The Quays is closed and for sale?

gordon hatch

furiousox wrote: »

I think The Quays is closed and for sale?

Oops I forgot it closed just before Christmas unfortunately.

The Eastern Seaboard is really good I think. I always get the Butcher's Board (cheese and meat selection) and usually the Ribs for mains, although the lemon herb chicken is good too and a Full breast of chicken (2 fillets!) - Fish is good also I have never heard a complaint about the food in fact the only complaint I have ever heard is that it's hard to get a table! Wine list is good also, they have a lovely Spanish Red (Jumilla) which I love.

Bull is also V good and they just recently made some additions to their menu. The classics are still there but some new things also - one of note that I had was the Gnocchi with creamed smoked bacon sauce on a bed of Rocket, Have to say it is V tasty.
When I think about Restaurants I automatically remember the best food I've had from these establishments - if ppl always remember the bad things then they probably shouldn't go out to dine because they will always find fault.

#hungryafterallthattalkaboutfood!!

gordon hatch

CMpunked wrote: »

Just finished in harpers and felt content and sat sideways on the seat in one of the cubby holes. I had the blind waitress who couldn't see my arms flailing at her and tell me to take my feet down like I was a child.
Fair enough, inform me not to do that but don't degrade me at the same time.

The staff of this place really let it down.
As I said, the paninni was nice but for the price you can get much better food at the same caliber for the same price or even cheaper from te likes of jaffas and bia.

To conclude, I will not be back. The food is fine but below standard for the asking price. The staff (with the exception of the manager) reflect the food, grand for what they are.
Oh and also, the tap water tasted like dishwater. I know for drogheda that's expected, but for the love of god they should invest in a britta filter or something.

I haven't been so won't comment on the food, prices etc... One thing I will say though is that you have to give an establishment a chance - CM did you talk to the manager about the points you highlighted? WE have to give an eatery some kind of lead in time - sure I agree that service in most places could be improved somewhat but it will only improve when patrons make their feelings known. We all live in a world of instant gratification but give it time.
Another thing is that we (Drogheda people) and business owners are not used to seeing online reviews of their businesses -Hell I didn't know this thread was as long as it was, in fact I was very surprised that it is this long! So maybe ppl should tell the owners that their establishment is being reviewed!

borderlinemeath

draffodx wrote: »

Where would people recommend in Drogheda for a nice fancy but affordable evening meal? (around €80 for two not including drinks) Somewhere I can get a nice steak!

I agree Eastern Seaboard is lovely for food, but hard to get a booking at short notice and if you get an early sitting you're usually surrounded by kids. Fine for some but drives me crazy.:o

I like D'Vine, their rib eye steak is lovely, and a more intimate atmosphere than Eastern Seaboard. They do a 3 course menu for (I think) €22.95 and the steak is on it with a small supplement.

GreenLady

If you are looking for something fancy its odds on you have time to book - there really isn't anywhere else in the town for the quality of cooking at Eastern Seaboard. Food for five last night for a birthday - four shared starters, five mains, four shared desserts, bottle of wine, bottle of fizzy water, two coffees bang on 200. We'd left it late to book so had to leave by nine but no one made us feel pressured. Sooner or later Michelin are going to find out about it and then you'll need to book a year in advance instead of a couple of weeks if you want a weekend table. Chefs are heading out of Dublin to eat there these days

Went to D'Vine over Christmas and was really impressed. Food was lovely that the Tartifilette and was very impressed nice as anything had in France. Been a couple of times to Eastern Seaboard and dont see the fuss to be honest. Overcrowded and poor service when I was there. The likes of the Salthouse have better food on offer but dont seem to be as popular.

dudara

Hard to go past the Eastern Seaboard - In fact, I'd travel from Dublin to go there. Love the interior decor and the food is creative with lots of fish specials. The owners are lovely, friendly people.

The Eastern Seaboard is not a standard type restaurant, like a lot of venues in Drogheda (you know the kind, curry & lasagne on their menu). It is trying to be more creative, and that's probably why some posters would rather go elsewhere.

It's been getting great press lately, and it's popularity is going to soar soon

Shoe Lover

I'm not pushed on Eastern Seaboard either. It's not the food, it's nice, it's more the atmosphere and the surroundings. I really don't like the decor, the ceiling with all the piping going across annoys the hell out of me, I feel like I'm walking into a factory. It's not a place that I'd go on a romantic date.

positron

I think they are a bit of a victim of their own success. The place is way too crowded, and ends up very noisy and very congested feeling. May be they will expand, or will go more exclusive (up the prices etc perhaps).

Having said that I am glad we have them - their food is nice indeed, and they have proven that it's possible to start and run a successful business, off the beaten track, in recessionary times.

gordon hatch

positron wrote: »

I think they are a bit of a victim of their own success. The place is way too crowded, and ends up very noisy and very congested feeling. May be they will expand, or will go more exclusive (up the prices etc perhaps).

Having said that I am glad we have them - their food is nice indeed, and they have proven that it's possible to start and run a successful business, off the beaten track, in recessionary times.

Judging by the layout of the business I don't think they had intimate dining foremost in their minds. I think it was aiming for a mix where families could be comfortable in bringing their children along and then after 9 or whatever adult couples could arrive and be sure that they will get a nice dining experience. I agree Postiron: It can get noisy alright but at least we know there's life in the place, nothing worse than going to a quiet restaurant if you ask me. Dinner is and should always be a social experience.

dudara

Shoe Lover wrote: »

I'm not pushed on Eastern Seaboard either. It's not the food, it's nice, it's more the atmosphere and the surroundings. I really don't like the decor, the ceiling with all the piping going across annoys the hell out of me, I feel like I'm walking into a factory. It's not a place that I'd go on a romantic date.

It's stark during the day, but I think that it really works at night when it's dark outside and lit up at night. I was there a few weeks before Christmas in the evening and I really thought the place felt warm and special.

Lantus

second trip to harpers on the key.

fast enough service, decor still nice. But the overall service wasn't great. the menu items dont seem to match the products being delivered. I ordered the curry last time which it described as creamy but was tomato based and not what I'd escrib as creamy at all.

Friend ordered coffe with marshmellows but no marshmellows arrived.

scones dont come with cream unless you ask for it and they were rock hard.

one waitress bumped into my friend and she replied 'sorry madam'!!! we just looked at each and stared in disbelief that anyone would actully say that.

Wouldn't rush there again and it's a real shame. The owner needs to get a grip on service and quality being delivered. The waiting staff while functional and efficient lack and charisma or sense of what is really required.

locum-motion

Lantus wrote: »

...
one waitress bumped into my friend and she replied 'sorry madam'!!! we just looked at each and stared in disbelief that anyone would actully say that...

Service Industry Shocker: staff member was actually polite to a customer.
By a staff reporter.

The entire food service industry was close to melt down late last night as it emerged that a waitress apologised to a customer after bumping in to her. Not only that, but the waitress even addressed the customer by a polite title.

A restaurant spokesman said today "Obviously we are treating the incident very seriously, and have initiated a full investigation. The staff member involved has been suspended on full pay pending the outcome of said investigation. The allegation is a serious one; obviously, if a member of our staff is found to have addressed a customer as 'Sir' or 'Madam', we would regard that as grave indeed. If the staff member actually apologised at the same time, then that would be grounds for instant dismissal. Obviously we cannot allow our staff to be polite to the customers."

Meanwhile, diner Lantus (45) said...
Etc
Etc
Etc

Rossin

what was wrong with the apology lantus?

positron

'madam' is sooo wrong, it should have been 'madame'!

positron

We got a fairly large order from Rupee for a small party at home. Of the things we ordered, chicken korma, chicken mango wala and peshawari naan (naan with sweet filling) were all well appreciated by the guests. The pilau rice was nice and fluffy too. At approx 8-10 euro per main dish, it's priced okay, and tastes nice, although korma in particular felt a bit thin on chicken.

I would recommend them, considering how well it all tasted, and how everyone went for second (and more) helpings.

Lantus

locum-motion wrote: »

Service Industry Shocker: staff member was actually polite to a customer.
By a staff reporter.

The entire food service industry was close to melt down late last night as it emerged that a waitress apologised to a customer after bumping in to her. Not only that, but the waitress even addressed the customer by a polite title.

A restaurant spokesman said today "Obviously we are treating the incident very seriously, and have initiated a full investigation. The staff member involved has been suspended on full pay pending the outcome of said investigation. The allegation is a serious one; obviously, if a member of our staff is found to have addressed a customer as 'Sir' or 'Madam', we would regard that as grave indeed. If the staff member actually apologised at the same time, then that would be grounds for instant dismissal. Obviously we cannot allow our staff to be polite to the customers."

Meanwhile, diner Lantus (45) said...
Etc
Etc
Etc

apology was good of course! the way it said perhaps cannot be conveyed.
I just thought it was a really antiquated saying? so did everyone else there. a minor minor point. it's the service and food which matter.

bryangiggsy

dudara wrote: »

Hard to go past the Eastern Seaboard - In fact, I'd travel from Dublin to go there. Love the interior decor and the food is creative with lots of fish specials. The owners are lovely, friendly people.

The Eastern Seaboard is not a standard type restaurant, like a lot of venues in Drogheda (you know the kind, curry & lasagne on their menu). It is trying to be more creative, and that's probably why some posters would rather go elsewhere.

It's been getting great press lately, and it's popularity is going to soar soon

+1 for Eastern Seaboard. Best restuarant in town by a country mile.
Love the food,service and surroundings.
No coincidence that this has been the busiest restaurant in Drogheda since it opened 2 years ago.
Footfall speaks for itself.

woody1

im going to be in drogheda in a couple of weeks, its both mine and the wifes birthday that week so we are looking to go out for a meal on sat nite..
im semi local, went to school in st olivers and worked in town for a good while but i live in the west now, so i wouldnt have a clue whats around now, so does anyone have any recomendations
wife not cracked on seafood so eastern seaboard is probably out

positron

woody1 wrote: »

wife not cracked on seafood so eastern seaboard is probably out

Despite the name, they are not an exclusively seafood serving restaurant!

kormak

woody1 wrote: »

im going to be in drogheda in a couple of weeks, its both mine and the wifes birthday that week so we are looking to go out for a meal on sat nite..
im semi local, went to school in st olivers and worked in town for a good while but i live in the west now, so i wouldnt have a clue whats around now, so does anyone have any recomendations
wife not cracked on seafood so eastern seaboard is probably out

D'vine or Schoalers maybe?
Eastern Seaboard is worth a visit though, although it is out of town a little.

woody1

yeah sorry, had had a quick look at the menu a few weeks ago and all i saw was seafood, never scrolled down so made a presumption,doh.. checked it again there and it looks interesting all right ..

closecall

woody1 wrote: »

im going to be in drogheda in a couple of weeks, its both mine and the wifes birthday that week so we are looking to go out for a meal on sat nite..
im semi local, went to school in st olivers and worked in town for a good while but i live in the west now, so i wouldnt have a clue whats around now, so does anyone have any recomendations
wife not cracked on seafood so eastern seaboard is probably out

Try the Salt House, great food nice staff. Well worth a visit, book early as its a small place and will fill up quickley

markc1184

Anyone got thoughts on Chanco's? Heading tonight, but not been before. More of a King of Kings man when it comes to Chinese food.

Darksaga87

Haven't been in a good while, but I always enjoyed it. Food is nice and the staff are pleasant. Not too expensive either.

King of kings is like the only place ive never been to, even though ive heard great things.

CMpunked

Was at KOK a few days ago picking up an order and seen they take delivery orders now!
Bout time, too!

markc1184

Enjoyed Chanco's. Nice food, good athmosphere and friendly staff. Will go back again.

Agree it's about time KOK started the delivery service. Also has anyone noticed a difference in the food over the last maybe 6 weeks since they changed chefs? Difference in a good way though. Really enjoy some of the new items they have, especially the samosa's.

gonker

woody1 wrote: »

im going to be in drogheda in a couple of weeks, its both mine and the wifes birthday that week so we are looking to go out for a meal on sat nite..
im semi local, went to school in st olivers and worked in town for a good while but i live in the west now, so i wouldnt have a clue whats around now, so does anyone have any recomendations
wife not cracked on seafood so eastern seaboard is probably out

If you are up looking at St olivers and you like Chinese I would recommend Tangos just beside it. The all you can eat menu is very good value.