The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

run_Forrest_run

Nigel Fairservice wrote: »

Speaking of hospitals I had a hospital appointment on Tuesday. I was a bit early for my appointment so I said I'd try the Coffee Doc in CUH. Just had a latte. I wasn't expecting wonders or anything but it was bad...and I'm no coffee connoisseur. The thing was stone cold. They charged €3.30 for it. That's what I pay for coffee in Nero's, the Bookshelf and The Oliver Plunkett. I know they have a captive audience in the hospital but it was like they weren't even trying.

Did you say it to them? of course they weren't trying, and they definitely won't try if they know they won't be pulled up over it.

Years ago I remember a Coffee Station cafe in the maternity hospital and they served excellent coffee.

the beer revolu

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

Cafe Spresso shouldn't realistically be on that list. It'd struggle to make the top 10 of places to eat on MacCurtain Street, let alone the whole City for cripes sake.

It's a cheap and cheerful place. Get a big feed for not an expensive price. So I'm not putting the place down. If you want a standard big full Irish breakfast with tea/coffee then I'd recommend it for sure. If you expect any sort of high quality or gourmet experience it will disappoint.

Thing is that is a list of the top scoring restrsants as rated by the users. It's not a list of the finest gourmet restaurants. If a restaurant consistently satisfies its customers, it will do well.
I could just as easily rate a greasy spoon as high or higher as a fancy pants restaurant if it does what it does well at a good price.

Squatter

H8GHOTI wrote: »

Think you might be confusing the Bons & the Mercy.

I was. Sorry 'bout that.

Thephantomsmask

Nonoperational wrote: »

There's a new cafe in CUH now which is much better. Worth a try next time.

It is called the fastnet lounge, it is at the back of the canteen by the church. It is cheaper than the coffee doc and much nicer imo. I have been having their raspberry scones at my breaktime far too often since they opened

Nigel Fairservice

Nonoperational wrote: »

There's a new cafe in CUH now which is much better. Worth a try next time.

Thanks, will check it out the next time.

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

Did you say it to them? of course they weren't trying, and they definitely won't try if they know they won't be pulled up over it.

Years ago I remember a Coffee Station cafe in the maternity hospital and they served excellent coffee.

No, didn't say it but probably should have asked for a new one. I had a busy morning at work before the appointment and I just wanted a few minutes to myself before seeing my neurologist.

Nigel Fairservice

I tried Bocelli's today for lunch. The pasta dish was tasty but on the small side. I thought it was a bit pricey as well for what we got. It was middle of the road, not amazing, not terrible.

Harika

Was at the Gourmet Food Truck in Courtmacsherry, great little spot with really good food that well earns its name.
Also went there to the Golden Pheasant, that was not visible by street and great coffee and home made cakes/ice cream while sitting outside and enjoying the sun.

Pembroke-restaurant in the Imperial hotel. Presentation of the food is really good, the food itself I wouldn't recommend, highly overpriced too for what you get. Portion size make up for the lack of ambition. Like the nachos lacked cheese and were crumbled.

byronbay2

Anyone else joining us hobnobs in The Raven this evening? Four-course meal, each course provided by a different Michelin-starred chef. Tickets are pricey (€225 each) but all proceeds go to Penny Dinners and Simon. I'm like a child on Christmas Eve!

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/michelin-star-winning-chefs-to-raise-money-for-cork-homeless-charities-916315.html

what the hell!

byronbay2 wrote: »

Anyone else joining us hobnobs in The Raven this evening? Four-course meal, each course provided by a different Michelin-starred chef. Tickets are pricey (€225 each) but all proceeds go to Penny Dinners and Simon. I'm like a child on Christmas Eve!

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/michelin-star-winning-chefs-to-raise-money-for-cork-homeless-charities-916315.html

Oh wow have a ball! I would have loved to go only the price put me off a bit.

That looks great....and a great cause....be sure and report back!!enjoy!!

rob316

Spitjack at the weekend I was in for dinner. To say it was poor is an understatement. I had the roast chicken meal, the chicken was nice but the rest was so bland and boring. The driest gratin ever, no seasoning on the vegetables, they managed to make the jus absolutely tasteless, the tiniest ball of stuffing.

It was like a carvery and a disgrace to be charging 20 quid a plate for.

Dessert was creme brulee it was nice but any restaurant shouldn't be able to mess that up.

It's meant to be this up market roitisserie but it's just bang average.

I was there twice when it opened and that's the last time I'm going.

Can't understand the good reviews. Around the same price as market lane but not half as good.

limnam

rob316 wrote: »

Spitjack at the weekend I was in for dinner. To say it was poor is an understatement. I had the roast chicken meal, the chicken was nice but the rest was so bland and boring. The driest gratin ever, no seasoning on the vegetables, they managed to make the jus absolutely tasteless, the tiniest ball of stuffing.

It was like a carvery and a disgrace to be charging 20 quid a plate for.

Dessert was creme brulee it was nice but any restaurant shouldn't be able to mess that up.

It's meant to be this up market roitisserie but it's just bang average.

I was there twice when it opened and that's the last time I'm going.

Can't understand the good reviews. Around the same price as market lane but not half as good.

Did you tell them?

rob316

limnam wrote: »

Did you tell them?

I've told them once before for lunch the food wasn't up to scratch.

To be honest I didn't then as I was with my wife and didn't want to make her uneasy.

I must be some oddball it's 5 star galore reviews for them online.

Mardyke

rob316 wrote: »

I've told them once before for lunch the food wasn't up to scratch.

To be honest I didn't then as I was with my wife and didn't want to make her uneasy.

I must be some oddball it's 5 star galore reviews for them online.

Ive only been there once, but I thought the exact same. I'd give them the benefit of the doubt but wouldn't be rushing back when there are so many decent places to try.

Went to Burnt last week. Not bad at all. Good pizza, nice place, very friendly staff. Will be back.

whatever76

byronbay2 wrote: »

Anyone else joining us hobnobs in The Raven this evening? Four-course meal, each course provided by a different Michelin-starred chef. Tickets are pricey (€225 each) but all proceeds go to Penny Dinners and Simon. I'm like a child on Christmas Eve!

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/michelin-star-winning-chefs-to-raise-money-for-cork-homeless-charities-916315.html

Well how was it ?

byronbay2

whatever76 wrote: »

Well how was it ?

Here is the menu, if you want to see it.

Absolutely wonderful evening with a meal that I will never forget. Highlights were the swordfish stew and the unctuous, slow-cooked short rib. Great atmosphere and each chef came around to your table after his course and was happy to chat and discuss the food.

Surprise was the smoked Belvelly (Hederrnan) butter, which gave a “fishy” tang to the bread. Also, the alcohol flowed with 2 (delicious) cocktails on arrival, 2 glasses of white wine, a glass of red, a cedar-wood box full of sake and a glass of champagne, leading to a steady rise in chatter volume between 18.00 and 21.00.

The time absolutely flew and we almost had to be kicked out to let the second sitting in! Envied them as we walked out the door!

pwurple

Thanks for posting, looks amazing.

How was this? "Sheep's yoghurt with clove and brown butter."
Sounds absolutely revolting, but was probably nice? Was it a dessert?

whatever76

byronbay2 wrote: »

Here is the menu, if you want to see it.

Absolutely wonderful evening with a meal that I will never forget. Highlights were the swordfish stew and the unctuous, slow-cooked short rib. Great atmosphere and each chef came around to your table after his course and was happy to chat and discuss the food.

Surprise was the smoked Belvelly (Hederrnan) butter, which gave a “fishy” tang to the bread. Also, the alcohol flowed with 2 (delicious) cocktails on arrival, 2 glasses of white wine, a glass of red, a cedar-wood box full of sake and a glass of champagne, leading to a steady rise in chatter volume between 18.00 and 21.00.

The time absolutely flew and we almost had to be kicked out to let the second sitting in! Envied them as we walked out the door!

Sounds fab thanks for posting !!! Saw some pics on twitter this morning - looked like a great event !

byronbay2

pwurple wrote: »

Thanks for posting, looks amazing.

How was this? "Sheep's yoghurt with clove and brown butter."
Sounds absolutely revolting, but was probably nice? Was it a dessert?

Would you believe, you have raised the most pertinent question of the entire night? My wife and I debated whether we (i.e I) should bring it up with Rob Krawczyk (I call him Rob now!) afterwards but I didn't have the grapes to do it in the end.

We discussed what this dessert might look/taste like for 15 minutes before arrival but when it came it tasted like nothing more than a creamy lemon sorbet with some kind of compressed white wafer covering it. Now, it was tasty and all but did not correspond with the menu description in any way; there was certainly no taste of clove whatsoever.

I wonder was there a last-minute change to the dessert for some reason? Or maybe I just know nothing about michelin-starred food but it was certainly the main topic of debate in the taxi home. If anyone has any more info regarding this, I would love to hear it.

byronbay2

pwurple wrote: »

Thanks for posting, looks amazing.

How was this? "Sheep's yoghurt with clove and brown butter."
Sounds absolutely revolting, but was probably nice? Was it a dessert?

Would you believe, you have raised the most pertinent question of the entire night? My wife and I debated whether we (i.e I) should bring it up with Rob Krawczyk (I call him Rob now!) afterwards but I didn't have the grapes to do it in the end.

We discussed what this dessert might look/taste like for 15 minutes before arrival but when it came it tasted like nothing more than a creamy lemon sorbet with some kind of compressed white wafer covering it. Now, it was tasty and all but did not correspond with the menu description in any way; there was certainly no taste of clove whatsoever.

I wonder was there a last-minute change to the dessert for some reason? Or maybe I just know nothing about Michelin-starred food but it was certainly the main topic of debate in the taxi home. If anyone has any more info regarding this, I would love to hear it.

fin12

What’s the best restaurant in Cork if ur looking to have fish?

the beer revolu

fin12 wrote: »

What’s the best restaurant in Cork if ur looking to have fish?

The only restaurant I know of that specialises in fish is Quinlann's but, unfortunately, I don't think it is any good.

BullBlackNova

Electric has a fish bar upstairs - no reservations but the one time I ate there, there was a great selection and it was really tasty.

Elbow Lane have a fish special each day - whole fish cooked on coals. No choice there but it always looks amazing.

Quinlans does specialise in fish but, as above, I don't like it.

fin12

BullBlackNova wrote: »

Electric has a fish bar upstairs - no reservations but the one time I ate there, there was a great selection and it was really tasty.

Elbow Lane have a fish special each day - whole fish cooked on coals. No choice there but it always looks amazing.

Quinlans does specialise in fish but, as above, I don't like it.

Thanks, ya I’ve been in Quinlans before and I did like it but looking for somewhere where the food is more healthy.

pwurple

fin12 wrote: »

What’s the best restaurant in Cork if ur looking to have fish?

It's a crying shame the English Market management don't allow the vendors in there to have cooked food areas. Loads of the traders want it, the customers want it. I can't see why we can't get this organised in Cork. Always seem to tie ourselves up in red tape, when all across the continent it's no problem.

Fish bar is my usual spot for fish.

limnam

fin12 wrote: »

What’s the best restaurant in Cork if ur looking to have fish?

Have you tried fishy fishy?

D'Agger

pwurple wrote: »

It's a crying shame the English Market management don't allow the vendors in there to have cooked food areas. Loads of the traders want it, the customers want it. I can't see why we can't get this organised in Cork. Always seem to tie ourselves up in red tape, when all across the continent it's no problem.

Fish bar is my usual spot for fish.

Agreed - there was an open Market like what you're talking about in Mallorca when I was on holidays there and it was thriving - great spot/hub for food to start a night out in the city

Drdenise75

byronbay2 wrote: »

Would you believe, you have raised the most pertinent question of the entire night? My wife and I debated whether we (i.e I) should bring it up with Rob Krawczyk (I call him Rob now!) afterwards but I didn't have the grapes to do it in the end.

We discussed what this dessert might look/taste like for 15 minutes before arrival but when it came it tasted like nothing more than a creamy lemon sorbet with some kind of compressed white wafer covering it. Now, it was tasty and all but did not correspond with the menu description in any way; there was certainly no taste of clove whatsoever.

I wonder was there a last-minute change to the dessert for some reason? Or maybe I just know nothing about Michelin-starred food but it was certainly the main topic of debate in the taxi home. If anyone has any more info regarding this, I would love to hear it.

I was not fortunate enough to be in the Raven on Monday night but I ate in Chestnut last Friday night where the current tasting menu features this dish as one of 2 dessert courses. That evening there was most definitely a subtle but distinct taste of clove from the quenelle of ?gelato?sorbet (seemed creamier than a sorbet but i could be wrong!). Maybe they just didn't put enough clove into the batch made on Monday? The waffle patterned wafer seemed to be of a meringue texture when we ate it. And the sheep yoghurt looked the same. We thought at the time that unless you were expecting the clove taste you'd have difficulty identifying it amongst the other items. I have to say we enjoyed it as an interesting and kind of unusual course but it wouldn't be to everyone's taste.
I can highly recommend the restaurant Chestnut by the way. Really well executed tasting menu that was thoroughly enjoyable with a few novel things included like this dessert.

rob316

pwurple wrote: »

It's a crying shame the English Market management don't allow the vendors in there to have cooked food areas. Loads of the traders want it, the customers want it. I can't see why we can't get this organised in Cork. Always seem to tie ourselves up in red tape, when all across the continent it's no problem.

Fish bar is my usual spot for fish.

I was in belfast recently in St Georges Market it was absolutely brilliant. Loads of fresh food stalls, seating and live trad music. What a buzz, I went every morning for the 3 days I was there.

who_me

BullBlackNova wrote: »

Elbow Lane have a fish special each day - whole fish cooked on coals. No choice there but it always looks amazing.

They also have a filleted fish dish now. Suits me, as I hate fish on the bone (and am often not in the mood for steak). I'd go there anyway for the starters and cocktails, but it's nice having a nice main course in the middle.

sporina

who_me wrote: »

They also have a filleted fish dish now. Suits me, as I hate fish on the bone (and am often not in the mood for steak). I'd go there anyway for the starters and cocktails, but it's nice having a nice main course in the middle.

oh great to hear about the filleted fish - i have been wanting to go there but didn't like the idea of my fish on the bone.. i don't want eating to involve work

SouthernBelle

Any recommendations for somewhere nice to eat in and around Schull? (Yes, I know it's not the City, but hoping that some knowledgeable Boardsies can help. )

Debub

SouthernBelle wrote: »

Any recommendations for somewhere nice to eat in and around Schull? (Yes, I know it's not the City, but hoping that some knowledgeable Boardsies can help. )

Antonio's in Ballydehob (about 7 Kms away) is nice, or offcourse you have the new (Michellin) kid on the block in Ballydehob as well :-)

sporina

SouthernBelle wrote: »

Any recommendations for somewhere nice to eat in and around Schull? (Yes, I know it's not the City, but hoping that some knowledgeable Boardsies can help. )

The New Haven is fab (if you like seafood)

let us know how you get on

SouthernBelle

Debub wrote: »

Antonio's in Ballydehob (about 7 Kms away) is nice, or offcourse you have the new (Michellin) kid on the block in Ballydehob as well :-)

sporina wrote: »

The New Haven is fab (if you like seafood)

let us know how you get on

Thank you both. 👍🏻

fin12

Hi guys, thanks for the recommendations, I went to Electic this evening. Fish was lovely but was so happy to find out that do Brewdog Punk IPA on drought so will be going there now a lot more ��

fin12

Hi guys, thanks for the recommendations, I went to Electic this evening. Fish was lovely but was so happy to find out that do Brewdog Punk IPA on drought so will be going there now a lot more 🙂

JackieChang

pwurple wrote: »

It's a crying shame the English Market management don't allow the vendors in there to have cooked food areas. Loads of the traders want it, the customers want it. I can't see why we can't get this organised in Cork. Always seem to tie ourselves up in red tape, when all across the continent it's no problem.

Fish bar is my usual spot for fish.

Isn't there a sausage 'shack' there? Why are they allowed cook food and other aren't?

I always thought it would be great if the butchers had a bit of a BBQ going. Grab a few skewers of yummy meat, I'm sure people buy a few bits if they got a taste.

pwurple

sporina wrote: »

oh great to hear about the filleted fish - i have been wanting to go there but didn't like the idea of my fish on the bone.. i don't want eating to involve work

You are missing out! taking the bone out of fish on the bone is a life technique you sound like you need!. It is soooo satisfying to take that whole intact skeleton out in one piece like a comedy tom and jerry fish. Bonus, the fish tastes better for being cooked on the bone.

It’s fun once you learn the knack. Make a little cut from the tail and neck end, slide a knife under to release, and lift! Done.

who_me

sporina wrote: »

oh great to hear about the filleted fish - i have been wanting to go there but didn't like the idea of my fish on the bone.. i don't want eating to involve work

Same here! FYI, when I first ordered it I found it a little moist/underdone? Not something I've encountered before. Very delicious, but a little odd. Since then I always order it 'well done' - first time ever saying that with regard to fish.

(Last time I was there with others, they tried the filleted fish dish and were raving about it afterwards, so it might just be my own personal preference..)

who_me

pwurple wrote: »

You are missing out! taking the bone out of fish on the bone is a life technique you sound like you need!. It is soooo satisfying to take that whole intact skeleton out in one piece like a comedy tom and jerry fish. Bonus, the fish tastes better for being cooked on the bone.

It’s fun once you learn the knack. Make a little cut from the tail and neck end, slide a knife under to release, and lift! Done.

Can I pay you to come and fillet my fish for me? 'cause there's no way in hell I'm ever doing that, but you make it sound so tasty! :P

sporina

pwurple wrote: »

You are missing out! taking the bone out of fish on the bone is a life technique you sound like you need!. It is soooo satisfying to take that whole intact skeleton out in one piece like a comedy tom and jerry fish. Bonus, the fish tastes better for being cooked on the bone.

It’s fun once you learn the knack. Make a little cut from the tail and neck end, slide a knife under to release, and lift! Done.

fish on the bone i don't mind so much - but afaik, Elbow Lane served fish whole - tail, head, skin and fins and all - now that I do mind

Seamai

fin12 wrote: »

Hi guys, thanks for the recommendations, I went to Electic this evening. Fish was lovely but was so happy to find out that do Brewdog Punk IPA on drought so will be going there now a lot more 🙂

I wouldn't count on Brewdog being on draught in two months time, my experience of the Electric is that they change their on tap beers more than most of us change our smalls. Every time I find something I like there, it seems to be gone by my next visit. I'm not sure I'd consider anything from Franciscan Well "craft" any longer, the quality of their beers seem to have gone south in the last few years since the were taken over by Molsons.

nerwen

Went to Tequila Jacks yesterday, enjoyed the food as I have before; shortrib tacos are really good, and their refried beans are great.

Once again, the service was not the best. They changed some drinks around and forgot others, we had to ask them a few times to fix mistakes, including finally fixing the bill which had drinks on it that we were served by mistake.

It's a shame the service there is so variable, it makes me really hesitate about going back even though I do like their food.

fin12

nerwen wrote: »

Went to Tequila Jacks yesterday, enjoyed the food as I have before; shortrib tacos are really good, and their refried beans are great.

Once again, the service was not the best. They changed some drinks around and forgot others, we had to ask them a few times to fix mistakes, including finally fixing the bill which had drinks on it that we were served by mistake.

It's a shame the service there is so variable, it makes me really hesitate about going back even though I do like their food.

I had the chicken fajitas there before , were lovely! Any have the fish tacos there?

Slim Charles

fin12 wrote: »

I had the chicken fajitas there before , were lovely! Any have the fish tacos there?

Beautiful. Inspired me to try them in cafe mexicana....possibly the worst main I've ever had in my life.

nerwen

fin12 wrote: »

I had the chicken fajitas there before , were lovely! Any have the fish tacos there?

One of my buddies did, he's a big fish taco guy and loved them.

sporina

Slim Charles wrote: »

Beautiful. Inspired me to try them in cafe mexicana....possibly the worst main I've ever had in my life.

ha ha i had fajitas there once and they were soo bad it was funny - like i really could have made better at home myself with a supermarket kit - and thats when i was a student (tastebuds have developed a lot since then)

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Had Iyer's this evening. Divine coconut rice and masala dosa, washed down with a mango lassi! Finished off nicely with a Chai Tea. Ridiculously good value for money too.

fin12

sporina wrote: »

ha ha i had fajitas there once and they were soo bad it was funny - like i really could have made better at home myself with a supermarket kit - and thats when i was a student (tastebuds have developed a lot since then)

I thought Cafe Mexicana was supposed to be the best place in Cork for Mexican food, I’ve never been there but my friend was there a few week ago and said the food was lovely.