The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

Hoolies

Went to Lab82 yesterday. Was not massively impressed The food was ok but the service was poor. They really seemed to be at sixes and sevens and the place was not packed when we arrived. Cold toast with the fry. Skin formed on porridge, tea and coffee served 20 mins before food so gone by the time the food arrived. I did not choose my own coffee bean but the one they gave me was very bitter, did not like it at all. It’s a lovely looking cafe so I really hope they iron out the small things and do well.

sporina

we had pizzas in Novecento Douglas street last night - so good - the spinach and ricotta was so fresh and light - excellent - we also had a ham and mushroom pizza... just so good.. best pizza in cork for me hands down... the base was so light with a lovely crispy crust... just the right about of cheese.. perfect mid jazz rail fuel

sporina

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.

so now its gonna be a more casual affair apparently - well if the food was bad when it was a fine dining establishment, i dread to think what will be on offer this time around..

leahyl

Went to the bookshelf at the Elysian on Saturday and Koto on Careys Lane on Sunday. Both were really nice! Had the eggs bendict in the Bookshelf and it was delicious - unusually served on their own homemade brown stout bread but it was very tasty. The staff were lovely, the only thing was the backgroud music was very loud, so much so that it was difficult to have a conversation to be honest so my friend just asked would it be possible to turn it down slightly and it didn't happen for a while so we just presumed that they were politely ignoring our request but then we heard it going down and it made a big difference.

Had never been to Koto but had the chicken and prawn pad thai and it was delicious; staff were also very friendly.

God, town was absolutely heaving at the weekend. When I went in on Sunday evening it was like a christmas shopping day, there was so many people; it was nearly busier than Christmas I'd say! Great money made for the local economy over the weekend

whatever76

sorry hijacking cork city thread - any recommendations for early Sunday tea in Fermoy/Mitchelstown direction ( not corbett court ha ! ) ?

sporina

whatever76 wrote: »

sorry hijacking cork city thread - any recommendations for early Sunday tea in Fermoy/Mitchelstown direction ( not corbett court ha ! ) ?

we always go to The Hunters Rest in Mitchelstown when we are in that area... they do a great steak sandwich etc...

what the hell!

whatever76 wrote: »

sorry hijacking cork city thread - any recommendations for early Sunday tea in Fermoy/Mitchelstown direction ( not corbett court ha ! ) ?

Hannah’s in Fermoy is very tasty. Reminds me of Perry St

pwurple

sporina wrote: »

so now its gonna be a more casual affair apparently - well if the food was bad when it was a fine dining establishment, i dread to think what will be on offer this time around..

?? When was it ever fine dining?

Pizza and roast chicken with spuds was basically the menu.

sporina

pwurple wrote: »

?? When was it ever fine dining?

Pizza and roast chicken with spuds was basically the menu.

maybe not fine dining - was never there... but the new offering is gonna be a step below apparently - or more casual.. so if it was bad then, well i dread to think what the new place will be like in terms of what they offer.. thats what i mean

flangemeistro

what the hell! wrote: »

whatever76 wrote: »

sorry hijacking cork city thread - any recommendations for early Sunday tea in Fermoy/Mitchelstown direction ( not corbett court ha ! ) ?

Hannah’s in Fermoy is very tasty. Reminds me of Perry St

Sorry if this isn't the place but I see you mention Perry Street, the reason it caught my eye was because Heidi's Cafe in Cobh closed over a month ago but I've heard Eileen O'Driscoll from Perry Street is reopening it on the 5th of November.
So wondering what fare Perry Street serve and does Eileen O'Driscoll ring a bell.

ncmc

whatever76 wrote: »

sorry hijacking cork city thread - any recommendations for early Sunday tea in Fermoy/Mitchelstown direction ( not corbett court ha ! ) ?

Fermoy and Mitchelstown are chronically short of decent places to eat, there's honestly nowhere that I would feel confident recommending. The Forge was decent enough, but it closed down recently. At a push, The Grand is probably the best of a bad bunch, but it is very hit and miss. There is an Italian in Mitchelstown that is pretty good, Galileo's. Think it is BYO wine too.

sporina wrote: »

we always go to The Hunters Rest in Mitchelstown when we are in that area... they do a great steak sandwich etc...

God I couldn't disagree more with this, any time I have been to Hunters Rest it has been very poor. It's been a while since I've been, so unless it has improved recently. But it always struck me as somewhere with far too vast a menu and suspiciously quick service, which leads me to believe everything is just reheated.

what the hell! wrote: »

Hannah’s in Fermoy is very tasty. Reminds me of Perry St

Hanna's is only open til 5 on a Sunday, it only does evening meals Thurs-Sat. It depends what the OP is looking for and what time, but if a cafe would suffice, the Hanna's is a great choice.

sporina

ncmc wrote: »

Fermoy and Mitchelstown are chronically short of decent places to eat, there's honestly nowhere that I would feel confident recommending. The Forge was decent enough, but it closed down recently. At a push, The Grand is probably the best of a bad bunch, but it is very hit and miss. There is an Italian in Mitchelstown that is pretty good, Galileo's. Think it is BYO wine too.


God I couldn't disagree more with this, any time I have been to Hunters Rest it has been very poor. It's been a while since I've been, so unless it has improved recently. But it always struck me as somewhere with far too vast a menu and suspiciously quick service, which leads me to believe everything is just reheated.



Hanna's is only open til 5 on a Sunday, it only does evening meals Thurs-Sat. It depends what the OP is looking for and what time, but if a cafe would suffice, the Hanna's is a great choice.

well not tried anywhere else in M'town.. it suits us after a day on the hills near by..
depends what OP is looking for

confusticated

sporina wrote: »

maybe not fine dining - was never there... but the new offering is gonna be a step below apparently - or more casual.. so if it was bad then, well i dread to think what the new place will be like in terms of what they offer.. thats what i mean

In fairness, if you never went to Rachel's, it's a bit harsh to be dreading what the new place will be like. I hadn't been to Rachel's either, didn't like that they didn't have prices online, but might give this new place a shot.

sporina

confusticated wrote: »

In fairness, if you never went to Rachel's, it's a bit harsh to be dreading what the new place will be like. I hadn't been to Rachel's either, didn't like that they didn't have prices online, but might give this new place a shot.

i didn't go because almost everyone i know who went would not recommend it.. and the main feedback was that the food was no where worth the money (not to mention other complaints)..

hence my post

Slim Charles

whatever76 wrote: »

sorry hijacking cork city thread - any recommendations for early Sunday tea in Fermoy/Mitchelstown direction ( not corbett court ha ! ) ?

How ridiculously overrated is Corbett court!

ncmc

Slim Charles wrote: »

How ridiculously overrated is Corbett court!

I know someone who worked in Corbett Court and the stories she told me where just shocking. Food cooked at the start of the week and just reheated as the week went on, breakfast items cooked by the night porter and left sitting out for inadequate storage facilities etc. Last time I was there, I ordered pasta and it came out steaming hot literally 5 mins later. No way the pasta could have been cooked fresh. Whatever about reheating sauce, I would at least expect the pasta to be fresh. It’s also gotten quite expensive in recent times, especially given the standard of food. The car park is always jammed when I pass though! Seems inexplicable to me.

pwurple

sporina wrote: »

maybe not fine dining - was never there... but the new offering is gonna be a step below apparently - or more casual.. so if it was bad then, well i dread to think what the new place will be like in terms of what they offer.. thats what i mean

You see I read it as a decor change. It was echoey and noisy in there with the decor, you couldn’t really hear your companions. The service was a bit stiff for the food, which was simple food.

Booths, fabric and a more relaxed manner of service was what I understood.

Dreading going into a place you’ve never been is a bit much.

sporina

pwurple wrote: »

You see I read it as a decor change. It was echoey and noisy in there with the decor, you couldn’t really hear your companions. The service was a bit stiff for the food, which was simple food.

Booths, fabric and a more relaxed manner of service was what I understood.

Dreading going into a place you’ve never been is a bit much.

it was a figure of speech..

anyway i imagine that the food will also be more casual as quote "less formal dining experience" and "new menu offerings"

Nonoperational

Rachels was still pitched as a high class place in fairness. Some of the menu items were simple but it was aiming at the bigger spending customers. Went once and didn't rate it at all.

Icsics

ncmc wrote: »

I know someone who worked in Corbett Court and the stories she told me where just shocking. Food cooked at the start of the week and just reheated as the week went on, breakfast items cooked by the night porter and left sitting out for inadequate storage facilities etc. Last time I was there, I ordered pasta and it came out steaming hot literally 5 mins later. No way the pasta could have been cooked fresh. Whatever about reheating sauce, I would at least expect the pasta to be fresh. It’s also gotten quite expensive in recent times, especially given the standard of food. The car park is always jammed when I pass though! Seems inexplicable to me.

Agree, the microwaves are on full blast in that kitchen!

D'Agger

Finally ate in The Bookshelf in the Elysian for some brunch this weekend and have to say that it's a really cool space, coffee was top notch, I thought the food was grand, not particularly brilliant although the menu seems very good, I'll be back to try one or two more things. I'm not sure how long they're open but the staff made a couple of mistakes and was close to complaining for how we were spoken to at one point but by the time I went to pay I figured it would have been pedantic so left it off, nothing too serious but small kinks in service I would say.

I'll try the food again but thought it was only okay for the price & the service could do with some minor improvement, I'll definitely head back to give it another bash, maybe try the evening menu instead of brunch, reckon it would be a good spot to start a night out with some cocktails.

Nonoperational

Went to Ali's Kitchen for brunch recently. Pretty good. Nothing amazing. Would go back but wouldn't go out of the way to.

Cailin CoisFarraige

D'Agger wrote: »

Finally ate in The Bookshelf in the Elysian for some brunch this weekend and have to say that it's a really cool space, coffee was top notch, I thought the food was grand, not particularly brilliant although the menu seems very good, I'll be back to try one or two more things. I'm not sure how long they're open but the staff made a couple of mistakes and was close to complaining for how we were spoken to at one point but by the time I went to pay I figured it would have been pedantic so left it off, nothing too serious but small kinks in service I would say.

I'll try the food again but thought it was only okay for the price & the service could do with some minor improvement, I'll definitely head back to give it another bash, maybe try the evening menu instead of brunch, reckon it would be a good spot to start a night out with some cocktails.

Had dinner there last week - really tasty! Thought the menu was a bit limited for dinner options, but what we ordered was great. Can only say positive things about the staff - found everyone we dealt with very friendly.

fuzzyduck4

the beer revolu wrote: »

Any reports from Ichigo Ichie?

I went here a few weeks ago, while I was very impressed with it and I thought every course was very unique I have a few reservations about the place. A lot of the dishes werent to my liking, this just my own preference and not a reflection of the place, 3 or 4 of the dishes were japanese broth /soup which I found difficult to enjoy. The fish/duck on the menus were both exceptional 10/10. Overall if I had a friend coming to Cork I'd have to recommend either Greenes/Jacques or Market Lane over Ichigo Ichie, but again thats just my own preference. Id be inclined to give it 7 or 8 /10, but would not be inclined to return..

Nonoperational

fuzzyduck4 wrote: »

I went here a few weeks ago, while I was very impressed with it and I thought every course was very unique I have a few reservations about the place. A lot of the dishes werent to my liking, this just my own preference and not a reflection of the place, 3 or 4 of the dishes were japanese broth /soup which I found difficult to enjoy. The fish/duck on the menus were both exceptional 10/10. Overall if I had a friend coming to Cork I'd have to recommend either Greenes/Jacques or Market Lane over Ichigo Ichie, but again thats just my own preference. Id be inclined to give it 7 or 8 /10, but would not be inclined to return..

I know exactly what you mean. I felt some of the dishes were a little unpleasant in the texture and flavour. It was certainly challenging at times. I had a very tough piece of duck also.

At the time I though I wouldn't return. I now want to try again though.

pwurple

fuzzyduck4 wrote: »

I went here a few weeks ago, while I was very impressed with it and I thought every course was very unique I have a few reservations about the place. A lot of the dishes werent to my liking, this just my own preference and not a reflection of the place, 3 or 4 of the dishes were japanese broth /soup which I found difficult to enjoy. The fish/duck on the menus were both exceptional 10/10. Overall if I had a friend coming to Cork I'd have to recommend either Greenes/Jacques or Market Lane over Ichigo Ichie, but again thats just my own preference. Id be inclined to give it 7 or 8 /10, but would not be inclined to return..

Yes, some of the asian textures can be a funny texture for us westerners. I found the daikon to be a weird texture at first.


BUT, I really much prefer the authenticity to remain, rather than it be diluted to the mass Irish tastes. I want Italian restaurants to be how they eat in Italy, Thai food to blow my head off and not to be made 'mild', Indian to be as spicy and full flavoured as it really should be, and Irish food to be our own dishes full of butter, rich fats and cabbages.


This is the very best thing about ichiego ichi. It's whole-heartedly what it says it is... Japanese food, by a Japanese man living in Ireland, using the ingredients here.

the beer revolu

pwurple wrote: »

Yes, some of the asian textures can be a funny texture for us westerners. I found the daikon to be a weird texture at first.


BUT, I really much prefer the authenticity to remain, rather than it be diluted to the mass Irish tastes. I want Italian restaurants to be how they eat in Italy, Thai food to blow my head off and not to be made 'mild', Indian to be as spicy and full flavoured as it really should be, and Irish food to be our own dishes full of butter, rich fats and cabbages.


This is the very best thing about ichiego ichi. It's whole-heartedly what it says it is... Japanese food, by a Japanese man living in Ireland, using the ingredients here.

+100
So many restaurants start off good and end up being rubbish by pandering to conservative tastes.

nerwen

Went to RUM last night, wont be going back for food. While they claim to be a tapas place, there aren't many Spanish dishes on the menu. It does include stir fry, burgers, steak, and a cream carbonara however. Tried the patatas bravas, which were boiled potatoes served in a slightly sweet tomato sauce covered in fake parmesan. Had some other small dishes, all were mediocre, except the Spanish fries - they were so salty they were practically inedible.

Decent cocktails though.

hufpc8w3adnk65

nerwen wrote: »

Went to RUM last night, wont be going back for food. While they claim to be a tapas place, there aren't many Spanish dishes on the menu. It does include stir fry, burgers, steak, and a cream carbonara however. Tried the patatas bravas, which were boiled potatoes served in a slightly sweet tomato sauce covered in fake parmesan. Had some other small dishes, all were mediocre, except the Spanish fries - they were so salty they were practically inedible.

Decent cocktails though.

I’d allways be wary of a place that has closed and re-branded before re-opening again,several times, like that premises has.

Markcheese

Where or what is rum?
(not that I'm likely to go after the above review)

TrustedApple

Went to West cork burger today.

Lovely burger they never a disappointment.

But I got barely any chips after paying for them with my burger. I had to other more as I got so little. The 2nd ones were as bad as the 1st could nearly count the chips.

hufpc8w3adnk65

Markcheese wrote: »

Where or what is rum?
(not that I'm likely to go after the above review)

It’s on Marlborough street near the old Clancy’s

Water John

Short changing an Irish person on their spuds is not a good idea.

rob316

Something new going into the old meatball place. Want to be very good that unit is a graveyard

TrustedApple

Water John wrote: »

Short changing an Irish person on their spuds is not a good idea.

Tell me about it I love their burgers they are so tasty and nice but you barely get any chips.

I know their fresh chips but when you see kids getting more chips with there burgers then myself and my girlfriend you know who are fully grown audits !!!

igCorcaigh

rob316 wrote: »

Something new going into the old meatball place. Want to be very good that unit is a graveyard

The Hugenots are haunting that place, nothing ever works out.

Water John

Spitjack for breakfast this morning. Very good, with very attentive unobtrusive service. Small point, the tea cups were bowl shape, very wide at the top and tea cooled very quickly. Food, was very tasty.

sporina

was in Bantry and Kenmare for the weekend..

Lunch in The Stuffed Olive was delicious.. salads for lunch followed my not so ordinary bakewell bun - it was divine..

Dinner in The Maritime.. the nicest Seabass I have possibly ever had.. omg i can still taste it now.. sweet and so fresh..

Lunch in PF McCarthys Kenmare, Broccoli and Shallot soup with homemade brown bread.. simple food done well - twas medicinal

ThePott

Just saw that Wow Burger is closed.

Didn't even make it the year.

Reputable Rog

ThePott wrote: »

Just saw that Wow Burger is closed.

Didn't even make it the year.

Their chips were lovely, burger was fair,needed more seasoning. It seems we're at peak burger.

fuzzyduck4

Reputable Rog wrote: »

Their chips were lovely, burger was fair,needed more seasoning. It seems we're at peak burger.

Wowburger was almost like a rich mans mcdonalds and a poor mans rocking joes, both of which were just a few metres away from it. It was the kind of place you'd go after a shower of pints, not much of a loss imo.

ThePott

Yeah went there once and wasn't overly impressed. Figured you could get a better burger for the price. Still interested to see what will go in there. I miss Wagamama

byronbay2

Looks like The Rendezvous (Model Farm Road) will reopen shortly. They have been working away in there for the past few weeks and I saw in last weeks Examiner that it sold for €1.5M.

On a sadder note, I see that Finches have discontinued producing Rasa. Surprised at that as it was certainly a big seller around Cork, although probably less so in the rest of the country/world. I know that there is another (inferior) product available but it was always Finches Rasa in my gaff!

https://youtu.be/0s-h73jSdWU

sporina

byronbay2 wrote: »

Looks like The Rendezvous (Model Farm Road) will reopen shortly. They have been working away in there for the past few weeks and I saw in last weeks Examiner that it sold for €1.5M.

On a sadder note, I see that Finches have discontinued producing Rasa. Surprised at that as it was certainly a big seller around Cork, although probably less so in the rest of the country/world. I know that there is another (inferior) product available but it was always Finches Rasa in my gaff!

https://youtu.be/0s-h73jSdWU

never heard of it ekk

Thephantomsmask

sporina wrote: »

never heard of it ekk

It's raspberry cordial, definitely a (yummy) Cork thing! I don't think I ever even saw it for sale growing up in Kerry.

pwurple

sporina wrote: »

never heard of it ekk

Visa Revoked.

Get out.

sporina

but strangely enough - speaking of raspberry, i saw raspberry and orange club orange somewhere but can't find it now.. tried lots of shops in town and to no avail - anyone seen it anyway and or tried it? sounds lush

whatever76

any feedback on Crawford and Co ( formaly the market) for food ?

richiepurgas

whatever76 wrote: »

any feedback on Crawford and Co ( formaly the market) for food ?

They have a very poor website.

sammyjo90

sporina wrote: »

but strangely enough - speaking of raspberry, i saw raspberry and orange club orange somewhere but can't find it now.. tried lots of shops in town and to no avail - anyone seen it anyway and or tried it? sounds lush

Dont do it...its mank!