The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

11214

I decided to pop into the Groves in Blackpool again after reading the piece on the best breakfast in Cork in the Echo.
It was very busy which I thought was a good sign, I was wrong.
The table service was bad, had to take my order twice, and the toast, coffee, food was literally thrown across the table, no joke.
The breakfast was a massive let down, overcooked egg, rasher and plate covered in mushroom juice.
The place itself need a massive clean and a few Euro spent on it.
My takeaway from it was I trust reviews on here more than the Evening Echo!

In other news I see a lot of coffee recommendations in the last few pages, would these coffees be better than my current favorite Filter?

Harika

11214 wrote: »

I decided to pop into the Groves in Blackpool again after reading the piece on the best breakfast in Cork in the Echo.
<->

In other news I see a lot of coffee recommendations in the last few pages, would these coffees be better than my current favorite Filter?

From his list I would choose "Silver Key" as best pub breakfast.

Filter is already great, I had guest from abroad here and they were surprises how good the coffee in Cork was compared to their home. Some year ago there was already a discussion about best coffee in Cork and filter was among the recommendations.

BullBlackNova

11214 wrote: »

I decided to pop into the Groves in Blackpool again after reading the piece on the best breakfast in Cork in the Echo.
It was very busy which I thought was a good sign, I was wrong.
The table service was bad, had to take my order twice, and the toast, coffee, food was literally thrown across the table, no joke.
The breakfast was a massive let down, overcooked egg, rasher and plate covered in mushroom juice.
The place itself need a massive clean and a few Euro spent on it.
My takeaway from it was I trust reviews on here more than the Evening Echo!

In other news I see a lot of coffee recommendations in the last few pages, would these coffees be better than my current favorite Filter?

That is a god awful list in d'Echo. Unusual choice of a person to write too - a radio presenter rather than a food writer/blogger?

Not sure how much weight I'd put in any list that has Wetherspoons included in the pub grub section, though.

Nice shout for Tara's Tea Rooms but beyond that...

For me, if it's breakfast, I'm looking at (in no particular order!) The Parlour, the Bookshelf (Elysian or South Mall), Good Day Deli and Spitjack. Any other recommendations?

Is Liberty Grill still as popular as ever? Always enjoyed my meals in there, just never thought it was worth the queue on a Saturday morning. Think it is better/has more variety for lunch and dinner too.

northgirl

BullBlackNova wrote: »

That is a god awful list in d'Echo.

Agreed, totally misinformed IMO.

SusieBlue

BullBlackNova wrote: »

That is a god awful list in d'Echo. Unusual choice of a person to write too - a radio presenter rather than a food writer/blogger?

Not sure how much weight I'd put in any list that has Wetherspoons included in the pub grub section, though.

Nice shout for Tara's Tea Rooms but beyond that...

For me, if it's breakfast, I'm looking at (in no particular order!) The Parlour, the Bookshelf (Elysian or South Mall), Good Day Deli and Spitjack. Any other recommendations?

Is Liberty Grill still as popular as ever? Always enjoyed my meals in there, just never thought it was worth the queue on a Saturday morning. Think it is better/has more variety for lunch and dinner too.

I'm a big fan of Ali's Kitchen, its well worth a try. The River Lee is another great spot.

rob316

De Calf in the cornmarket centre is good for breakfast and reasonably priced. Love the pancakes and french toast

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5

Velo is nice too, bit on the pricy side though.

Dbu

Leonel Putrid Cheddar wrote: »

Velo is nice too, bit on the pricy side though.

Nice you are right , but the prices have gone mad over the last few weeks

northgirl

rob316 wrote: »

De Calf in the cornmarket centre is good for breakfast and reasonably priced. Love the pancakes and french toast

Are the pancakes American style or more crepe?

CptMackey

What is docklands like? Can't see much as their website is down.

richiepurgas

The Groves in Blackpool is an absolute kip, don't know how anyone from the Echo recommended it.

rob316

northgirl wrote: »

Are the pancakes American style or more crepe?

American style.

Gamb!t

Dbu wrote: »

Nice you are right , but the prices have gone mad over the last few weeks

As a result of the Budget?

Water John

Lets be clear VAT changes happen Jan 1st 2019.

Mardyke

CptMackey wrote: »

What is docklands like? Can't see much as their website is down.

Yeah. Odd that they have no website. Was planning on going there recently but decided on elsewhere that had online menus to check in advance.

Another example of places not getting the simple stuff right. And then they wonder why they are struggling.

Gamb!t

Water John wrote: »

Lets be clear VAT changes happen Jan 1st 2019.

Not sure if true but I heard places put up prices already.

11214

richiepurgas wrote: »

The Groves in Blackpool is an absolute kip, don't know how anyone from the Echo recommended it.

Try read the reviews if you get a chance, utter bull.

Water John

I can understand any business adjusting prices by say 5%, that's 50 cent on a €10 breakfast or light lunch. Price jumping is another matter.

Similarly the VAT increase will mean 45 cent on a a €10 breakfast or light lunch, next year.

byronbay2

Looks like Wildways won't be returning on Prince's Street. Saw a banner up in the window last week to the effect of "Coming soon, new pizzeria" with the rather unappetising title of "Burnt".

northgirl

byronbay2 wrote: »

with the rather unappetising title of "Burnt".

Moronic...

Cherry_Cola

Booked in for Isaacs tonight. Looking forward to trying the steak.

pwurple

Mardyke wrote: »

Yeah. Odd that they have no website. Was planning on going there recently but decided on elsewhere that had online menus to check in advance.

Another example of places not getting the simple stuff right. And then they wonder why they are struggling.

For the crime of having a website under development? It’s hardly their primary business is it?

Also, from Harolds, to Club Brasserie, to their newest incarnation Docklands, those guys have to surely among the most successful restaurant owners in the city. My parents used to go there when I was a kid, so that’s at least 30 years of longevity there?

Lia_lia

Had brunch in the Bookshelf in the Elysian today. Was fab! Really nice place and the food was lovely. Great brunch menu too. Staff were all lovely. We were waiting a while for our food (but not much longer than other busy places) and the manager came over being very apologetic and offered us each a free coffee. Thought it was a nice touch as we didn’t complain about the wait or anything.

Will be back!

hufpc8w3adnk65

pwurple wrote: »

For the crime of having a website under development? It’s hardly their primary business is it?

Also, from Harolds, to Club Brasserie, to their newest incarnation Docklands, those guys have to surely among the most successful restaurant owners in the city. My parents used to go there when I was a kid, so that’s at least 30 years of longevity there?

Harold’s in the east village where Ramen is?

beer enigma

MrMac84 wrote: »

Harold’s in the east village where Ramen is?

Yep Harolds Douglas, then Citrus then Club Brasserie which is now the wonderful Docklands.

Before Harolds, Harold Lynch was chef at Lovetts on Churchyard Lane.

hufpc8w3adnk65

beer enigma wrote: »

Yep Harolds Douglas, then Citrus then Club Brasserie which is now the wonderful Docklands.

Before Harolds, Harold Lynch was chef at Lovetts on Churchyard Lane.

I worked in both his restaurant, house and his Wife’s clothes shops in a previous job. Lovely people, often wondered what they were at these days

beer enigma

MrMac84 wrote: »

I worked in both his restaurant, house and his Wife’s clothes shops in a previous job. Lovely people, often wondered what they were at these days

They are that, Beth is terrific as front of house, doing a decent trade by the sounds of it too which is great !

whatever76

Went to Da Mirco the weekend - highly recommend !

Food simple but done really well and v tasty . Mirco himself is lovely and certainly lives to his ethos !!
Nice atmosphere as well … hope it does well

.red.

Outsirlde the city but we ate in The Pepperstack at Rosie's pub in Aghada at the weekend.
Food and service was very good.
Most people in the group had soup which was lovely, I had wings which weren't great, fried too long and served with a small bowl of sauce to did them in.
Everything else was really nice tho, the chicken supreme with mash and bacon was probably the best although the roast pork and beef were lovely too.
For dessert, I had a brownie which was probably the nicest one I've had, very light after a big meal. Others had apple tart, ice cream and raspberry rulade and they all got devoured.
3 courses for €25 which was good value.

rob316

Dwyer's of cork a new pub opening where Rachel's was. As I told everyone it was closing and wasn't reopening. Monty has lost a fortune on it.

Mardyke

rob316 wrote: »

Monty has lost a fortune on it.

I think that prompts a massive Cork-wide.... "Sure God love him......"

He gets away with a lot around there. Taking over that side street, getting a taxi stop outside the pub, lock ins, and God knows what else...

Harika

Only 1 1/2 years open, I really wonder what broke their neck as it seemed busy, was very pricey and generated a lot of buzz.

the beer revolu

Harika wrote: »

Only 1 1/2 years open, I really wonder what broke their neck as it seemed busy, was very pricey and generated a lot of buzz.

According to some it was all misogyny.

BullBlackNova

rob316 wrote: »

Dwyer's of cork a new pub opening where Rachel's was. As I told everyone it was closing and wasn't reopening. Monty has lost a fortune on it.

Is it not just a rebrand? I mean, sure 'Rachel's is gone but it is still Paul Montgomery and Rachel Allen behind it, isn't it?

https://yaycork.ie/rachels-restaurant-has-been-renamed-ahead-of-a-relaunch/

rob316

BullBlackNova wrote: »

Is it not just a rebrand? I mean, sure 'Rachel's is gone but it is still Paul Montgomery and Rachel Allen behind it, isn't it?

https://yaycork.ie/rachels-restaurant-has-been-renamed-ahead-of-a-relaunch/

Dont know about that but multiple people told me Monty couldnt wait to get out of it and sell up his share of Moscato Ltd.
I'll put it this way to you, they owe the company I work for money, Reardens group who pay all the accounts have told me also they have nothing to do with it anymore.

waxmelts2000

From Twitter they were due to open tonight

Due to unforeseen circumstances we won't be open tonight as planned. Keep an eye on social media for updates.

pwurple

Had food in the bookshelf in the Elysian as well... late afternoon. They are lovely in there, which I like. We got a few small plates, falafel, tortillas etc. 25 minute wait after ordering and fine but all just a little bland... not seasoned?

Prices were grand, place is nice. I’d go back and try the morning food, maybe I hit an off time of day.

MintyMagnum

Valyawl wrote: »

From Twitter they were due to open tonight

Due to unforeseen circumstances we won't be open tonight as planned. Keep an eye on social media for updates.

Bar licence not granted

ofcork

Objection from a company kmont to the bar licence any connection between the objector and former investor paul m I wonder??

bee06

I heard that they were trying to say that they were still a restaurant so didn’t need a bar licence but the powers that be didn’t buy it.

bee06

bee06 wrote: »

I heard that they were trying to say that they were still a restaurant so didn’t need a bar licence but the powers that be didn’t buy it.

Just saw this

https://amp.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/court-refuses-application-to-sell-alcohol-at-cork-eatery-881536.html

rob316

ofcork wrote: »

Objection from a company kmont to the bar licence any connection between the objector and former investor paul m I wonder??

This is hilarious. Kmont is Edmund keneallys company, Monty's ex father in law. The original directors of reardens. It's reardens/monty that are objecting the licence so.

run_Forrest_run

Had dinner at the Cornstore yesterday afternoon, now I know this place tends to attract polar opinions around here but I've always thought the food was quite good as it was yesterday but sweet lord the prices :eek:
Perhaps I'm out of touch since I rarely get the opportunity to dine out these days but c'mon, €20 for a burger, €20 for pork belly (a cheap piece of meat traditionally), €24 for roast rump of lamb. I didn't even bother price the steaks because the application process to remortgage my house would take too long:rolleyes:

No doubt the VAT increase will be passed on to the customer too.
Am I out of touch?

richiepurgas

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

Had dinner at the Cornstore yesterday afternoon, now I know this place tends to attract polar opinions around here but I've always thought the food was quite good as it was yesterday but sweet lord the prices :eek:
Perhaps I'm out of touch since I rarely get the opportunity to dine out these days but c'mon, €20 for a burger, €20 for pork belly (a cheap piece of meat traditionally), €24 for roast rump of lamb. I didn't even bother price the steaks because the application process to remortgage my house would take too long:rolleyes:

No doubt the VAT increase will be passed on to the customer too.
Am I out of touch?

Cornstore is a bit inconsistent in that respect. They do good value lunches but come 4pm it turns into a rip-off joint. You'd want to be careful with the wine as well, don't just order one particular type before reading the wine list, some of the prices are outrageous.

richiepurgas

Dwyers have lost out big-time this weekend. Drove through Washington street about an hour ago and there seems to be queues outside every restaurant and pub. The whole city seems to be rocking.

run_Forrest_run

richiepurgas wrote: »

Cornstore is a bit inconsistent in that respect. They do good value lunches but come 4pm it turns into a rip-off joint. You'd want to be careful with the wine as well, don't just order one particular type before reading the wine list, some of the prices are outrageous.

perhaps because it was the Saturday of the jazz weekend they brought that rip off time back to 3pm:D
Didn't get wine thankfully, I can only imagine the markup on the booze, like every restaurant naturally.
But overall it was very nice, staff were very good, no complaints only the price.

igCorcaigh

richiepurgas wrote: »

Dwyers have lost out big-time this weekend. Drove through Washington street about an hour ago and there seems to be queues outside every restaurant and pub. The whole city seems to be rocking.

An exceptionally busy jazz festival weekend.

Had been planning to go to Tequila Jacks, but it didn't pan out, and I've been put off by some negative reviews.

Anybody have good impressions of the food? It's more the food reviews I'm looking for rather than service, setting or pricing.

I love Mexican food and Cork is sorely lacking in that area.

yuridwyer

Had to come onto this forum to say my wife ate in Rachel Allen's place last year and found it to be horrendous, crazily expensive and tiny portions. Don't know if its still open but she wouldn't recommend it.

run_Forrest_run

yuridwyer wrote: »

Had to come onto this forum to say my wife ate in Rachel Allen's place last year and found it to be horrendous, crazily expensive and tiny portions. Don't know if its still open but she wouldn't recommend it.

go back a few pages here, it seems to have closed, due to re-open but problems with the bar licence or something means they are still shut.

Cotts72

igCorcaigh wrote: »

An exceptionally busy jazz festival weekend.

Had been planning to go to Tequila Jacks, but it didn't pan out, and I've been put off by some negative reviews.

Anybody have good impressions of the food? It's more the food reviews I'm looking for rather than service, setting or pricing.

I love Mexican food and Cork is sorely lacking in that area.

I actually really like the food there, great spot to eat and have a few drinks