Places to eat in Dundalk!

bigneacy

I wanted to get other people's impressions of McGeoghs on Roden Place? I used to love it & eat in there at least twice a week but the last two or three months the food has steadily gotten worse, the service sloppy and slow, even the presentation on the plates used to be great and now it seems like they couldn't care less. Is it under new management or different chef in the kitchen or do they just not care any more?

Its at the point where I couldn't be bothered going in anymore, i'm sure this isn't just my imagination and other people have noticed it too, and they are also fed up... slippery road for McGeoghs especially in recession times, very hard to win back a shattered reputation.

alfman

Personally, I love Mc Geoughs. I've been going for years. I go in once a week for dinner. The food is great, the range of specials is always varied unlike some othe places. The service is excellent as it always has been and it's not too expensive either.

Duncelt

Has anyone been to the Stonehouse lately?? Looking for somewhere to go for a family dinner Sat night?

Stephentlig

Duncelt wrote: »

Has anyone been to the Stonehouse lately?? Looking for somewhere to go for a family dinner Sat night?

Someones mentioned it in this thread somewhere, but I suppose this the thread is so long it would be like looking for a needle in a hay stack.

I've never been there though so cant help you.

Pax Christi
Stephen

doncarlos

Duncelt wrote: »

Has anyone been to the Stonehouse lately?? Looking for somewhere to go for a family dinner Sat night?

Was there maybe a year ago and it was nice. Was 4 of us out and we all enjoyed the food.

LCD

Was in Rossos recently, hadnt been there in a few years. Have to say was very good. The 3 course €25 odd menu was very good value, though portions maybe a bit small. Food was excellent and service very good as well.

djma

Had a feed in The King Balti last night, it was delicous. Everything from the service to the food was perfect. I think I have found my new favourite !

LeoB

Not from the area folks so hope ye dont mind me throwing in my tuppence worth. Last Saturday coming back from Omagh half marathon with a tired wife(the runner) and 3 kids we stopped in Callan's of Hackballscross and I have to say the food was first class.

My steak was as good as any I have ever had and it was well presented. My wife had a stir fry dish with chicken. The kids had different meals and all was first class. The portions were all generous and extra chips arrived for the kids.

The staff were friendly, the service was good and the toilets were spotless. Will definatley go back again.

Stephentlig

VILLA TOSCANA PARK STREET phwoarrrrrr,

was in there tonight, and I couldnt believe the meal and service that was given us, it was by far the best meal I've had in this town without a doubt and what amazed me about it all was that it was so cheap, I couldnt believe the place was empty:eek: I'm telling ya folks, you should get off your wee backsides and check the place out, I only wish I had the money to eat in it for seconds tomorrow night thats how good it was.

The people were so nice too, we couldnt help but leave them a chunky tip as well. Anyone who comes to town and is looking for a good restaurant I'll be pointing them in the direction of the Villa for sure.

Pax Christi
Stephen

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Stephentlig wrote: »

I couldnt believe the place was empty:eek: I'm telling ya folks, you should get off your wee backsides and check the place out, I only wish I had the money to eat in it for seconds tomorrow night thats how good it was.

Stephen, you seem to be forgetting that it's Holy Week. Most of us are fasting this week.

We'll be back to Villa Tuscana next week.

Mr Magnolia

I've been in Villa Tuscana twice. The first time it was super, second time was very average. I'll have to give it another go.

Myles Unimportant Quadruped wrote: »

Stephen, you seem to be forgetting that it's Holy Week. Most of us are fasting this week.

ROFL

Stephentlig

Stephen, you seem to be forgetting that it's Holy Week. Most of us are fasting this week.

Aye but we are not under obligation to do so, Fasting and abstinence is held for Good friday only this week :P

I'll have to give the wee villa another shout so....*puts jacket on* just in time for the early bird? :pac:

petes

Villa Toscana is very nice. Was in there a few times. Pretty reasonable as well.

Haven't been out for something to eat in Dundalk in ages. Must remedy that at the weekend!

TommyT

Posters here seem to be easily pleased. Villa Toscana is always empty for a reason. Their menu has not changed since it opened, the food can be hit and miss, but is mostly miss and unless you are tight fisted and go for the early bird, it is definitely not cheap. It is also uncomfortable, cold and drab.
BUT, it does the nicest take away pizza in town. Probably the towns best kept secret in that regard.

Stephentlig

Posters here seem to be easily pleased. Villa Toscana is always empty for a reason.

Tommy T perhaps its empty because the people of Dundalk are conditioned and habituated in going to the likes of the Roma and the Europa? and dont really know what good food is like nor tasted it?:P:pac:

Their menu has not changed since it opened, the food can be hit and miss, but is mostly miss and unless you are tight fisted and go for the early bird, it is definitely not cheap.

Well, after what I tasted last night I wouldnt want them to change the menu :P but I know what you mean, my first time being in the place would be the first time I'd experienced the menu, but I suppose after going into it for a while and the menu being the same as always I'd probably tend to go elsewhere after a while, but I dont know many restaurants who are accustomed to changing the menu continually, most places I've been to the menu never changes either correct me if I'm wrong of course. I didnt find it expensive, our bill came to 46 euro. we didnt go for the starters though but had the mains desert and drinks.

It is also uncomfortable, cold and drab.
BUT, it does the nicest take away pizza in town. Probably the towns best kept secret in that regard.

I thought it was really comfortable and warm, I didnt find it uncomfortable, I suppose there are those who are easy to please and there are those who are not so easy to please, I think you fall into the latter category wouldnt you agree? :pac::P

Pax Christi
Stephen

new to the town

Have to agree it does great takeaway pizza's - def the best in town. I haven't sat in to eat in it but must give it a try. While we're recommending restaurants in the town, Weirs in Seatown is a great place - the food is really top quality. They do an early bird too. Its above Donnellys bar in Seatown and def worth a visit. Fuschia Hse is also excellent - haven't been a while as its a bit of a journey (Ardee) but worth a trip - they also have an excellent take away in Ardee too.

cargo

new to the town wrote: »

Have to agree it does great takeaway pizza's - def the best in town. I haven't sat in to eat in it but must give it a try. While we're recommending restaurants in the town, Weirs in Seatown is a great place - the food is really top quality. They do an early bird too. Its above Donnellys bar in Seatown and def worth a visit. Fuschia Hse is also excellent - haven't been a while as its a bit of a journey (Ardee) but worth a trip - they also have an excellent take away in Ardee too.

Went to pop into Wier's one night about 3-4 weeks ago and it had closed. OH had been in it a week beforehand and said it was the best she'd had in Dundalk in a long long time but her and her friend were the only 2 there that night. Pity.

new to the town

Disappointed to hear about Weirs closing - it really was a great spot. Another one bites the dust. Location was a bit hidden which may have been their downfall. Anyone been to the McAteers for dinner - have been for lunch and found it very good - do they have a different menu for dinner?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

TommyT wrote: »

Posters here seem to be easily pleased... ...is definitely not cheap. It is also uncomfortable, cold and drab.

That's why we have a variety of eating houses in town. We all look for diffferent things. You may not like it; others do. This thread looks for opinions on places to eat and that's what we get. Please don't deride the posters for those opinions.

event

ate in Magees bistro in Carlingord on Sunday

been twice before, loved it both times and was great again at the weekend.

We had a starter each, I had bacon and scallop salad, the other half had soft shell crab.

My salad was perfect, but a bit heavy on the garlic. Very nice though.
The crab was great, was in a thai batter and wasnt too spicy, was perfect.

For the mains I had Fillet steak and half lobster. this came with chips, veg and potatoes. Sauce was on the side too and there was a good helping of it. Was perfect really
Herself had seabass and scallops. this too was great, very well cooked and was lovely. Only issue was the sauce on the seabass was on the skin side. herself prefers the skin off, so this resulted in most of the sauce being taken off. other than that, which was a minor issue for us, it was great

always like the place, only thing is that it is awkward to get to from town, but i think it is lovely. For me, its up there with Rosso in the Dundalk area

Als76

Darver castle is vey good the fillet steak is excellent.

Left banks is wasnt great. they put us beside the toilets when there was loads of other seats. menu was not great and it felt like being in a pub when your that close to the bar.

Stephentlig

Quaglinos: Was here not so long ago, starter was good, main was good but for the 52euro per couple thing our desert was non-optional and we had no freedom of choice to choose which desert we wanted. You also had only a few choices to pick from the menu ( starters and mains ) that covered the 52 euro deal which was a real let down, the free bottle of wine was a 2009 savignon and it was like drinking a glass of window cleaner ( not that I've ever drank window cleaner before :pac:) There is no small print on the advert to let you know of this, and whilst it was a good trick to get you in the door, it was nonetheless a very dishonest one, and is the reason( along with many others ) why I wont go back. The service was quite poor taking into consideration it was a quiet night.

Pax Christi
Stephen

TommyT

Als76 wrote: »

Left banks is wasnt great. they put us beside the toilets when there was loads of other seats. menu was not great and it felt like being in a pub when your that close to the bar.

We had a bite to eat in the Left Bank during the week. I was pleasantly surprised, the food was excellent, service good and not overly expensive. I will definitely go back.

GFJD

fitzpatricks on the carlingford road do a juicy steak. donegans monasterboice too.
cant beat the jade with a big stick.

Bless You

Had the utter misfortune of eating in the Left Bank on saturday night. Made a reservation the day before for 8:30 and arrived at 8:25.
Left waiting for an hour at the bar while the head waitress took orders and seated others that had come in after us. Not a word of apology from her when attention was brought to the fact too.

Food portions were a joke, nothing came with the meal (my partner ordered salmon and that's all she got, looked pathetic on the plate) and service throughout was dire. We got zero attention from the floor staff. Should have made a big deal of walking out when left waiting that long, but I bit my tongue (at least it was something to chew on).

I get on here to make my point and see posts stating similar experiences dating back to 2008! How long does it take to get your act together??.
In the current climate, this is totally unacceptable. I'll never darken the door again but, judging by the borderline contempt we were shown on the night, I'm sure they could care less.

To be avoided at all costs unless you want a deeply unpleasant begining to your night out.

LCD

Am not having a go at you Bless You, but this is a general Irish problem. People never complain, they just leave unhappy & tell everyone else how bad a shop/restaurant/etc. was. How can a business expect to improve if people leave smiling, but give out tons behind their backs. As a small business owner when people are not happy I want them to tell us, that is how we make things better.

I know this is an over simplification but if everyone who was unhappy at the Left Bank went away but never made it known that they were not impressed how would the owners ever know? By the way I don't own the Left Bank or an not involved in the restaurant trade. When I get bad service or food I always let the restaurant know. I think you should e-mail the Left Bank about your experience there.

Just my 2 cents

Bless You

LCD wrote: »

Am not having a go at you Bless You, but this is a general Irish problem. People never complain, they just leave unhappy & tell everyone else how bad a shop/restaurant/etc. was. How can a business expect to improve if people leave smiling, but give out tons behind their backs. As a small business owner when people are not happy I want them to tell us, that is how we make things better.

I know this is an over simplification but if everyone who was unhappy at the Left Bank went away but never made it known that they were not impressed how would the owners ever know? By the way I don't own the Left Bank or an not involved in the restaurant trade. When I get bad service or food I always let the restaurant know. I think you should e-mail the Left Bank about your experience there.

Just my 2 cents

This is an excellent point, and I would have done just this on previous occassions in other restraunts down the years. Am not behind the door in saying something when I'm not happy, but on the night I was fuming. Out of respect to the company I was in, and because if I said something on the night it would have come out in pure temper and I probably would have been escorted off the premises, I decided to say nothing.
I was concious of the fact I'd had two pints at the bar in the hour waiting so I didn't want to be dismissed as some drunk mouthpiece (even though I wasn't remotely drunk)

I can assure you, that the e-mail I've already sent to management today will leave them in no doubt as to where I stand.
I certainly didn't leave with a smile on my face on the night either.

Money is hard come by these days and I think some establishments would do well to remember this and adjust their service/attitude accordingly.

LCD

Will you let us know if they respond? Thanks

Bless You

LCD wrote: »

Will you let us know if they respond? Thanks

Two weeks since I sent the e-mail to the day.
Not a word of a reply from them.
I rest my case.

bigneacy

Bless You wrote: »

Two weeks since I sent the e-mail to the day.
Not a word of a reply from them.
I rest my case.

That's an absolute joke. What a shambles of a place! :mad:

One things for sure, I will never, Ever send one of my guests there. Wouldn't want to be answerable for that outstanding contempt and shoddy treatment. :mad: