The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

leahyl

Well, I finally went to Haveli in Douglas on Sunday night and I have to say it was absolutely gorgeous - I had the murgh makhani, pilau rice and garlic naan and it was delicious - can't wait to go back

Loire

leahyl wrote: »

Well, I finally went to Haveli in Douglas on Sunday night and I have to say it was absolutely gorgeous - I had the murgh makhani, pilau rice and garlic naan and it was delicious - can't wait to go back

We're a bit partial to murgh makhani in our place too so good to hear. We usually get ours from Spice Inn on Nth Main St as a take-away and it's fab but the restaurant itself isn't the best....Haveli looks nice though. Must make a booking

Oleander

JeffDar wrote: »

I'm in Cork 2 years now and my fave is definitely Hardwood...an absolute gem of a place!

The Hardwood is now the Charcoal Grill and I am a regular at this place, the service is excellent, they are friendly and knowledgeable about their menu, the food is very tasty. The menu has changed slightly and I think the prices have too which is a pity because it all adds up but it still wouldn't deter me from going there. Their tuna is the best on the menu, have it rare, it comes with rustic fries or pilau rice with a smoky aioli dip and salad.

pwurple

Tried three times now to go to Orzo.. A tuesday, wednesday and thursday night. Every night the wait time has been hour to 2 hours, so we went elsewhere (maynes, gusto and kc's!). Why in the name of all that is good do these people not take reservations? I've better things to be doing than wasting my time, won't be bothering again.

Malari

pwurple wrote: »

Tried three times now to go to Orzo.. A tuesday, wednesday and thursday night. Every night the wait time has been hour to 2 hours, so we went elsewhere (maynes, gusto and kc's!). Why in the name of all that is good do these people not take reservations? I've better things to be doing than wasting my time, won't be bothering again.

They obviously don't need to take reservations if they can keep the restaurant busy. Makes better business sense. I've never had to wait that long though, but maybe I'm going earlier.

mcmurph

I am in Cork Sun and Monday and was hoping to try Lyer's but they are closed those days

Any other recommendations ? Doesn't have to be vegetarian


@Evilivor for pointing me here

mcmurph

ooops should say

@Evilivor thanks for pointing me here

evilivor

mcmurph wrote: »

I am in Cork Sun and Monday and was hoping to try Lyer's but they are closed those days

Any other recommendations ? Doesn't have to be vegetarian


@Evilivor for pointing me here

If you are looking for a treat Cafe Paradiso is splendid - it is vegetarian and quite costly but it's very good.

pwurple

evilivor wrote: »

If you are looking for a treat Cafe Paradiso is splendid - it is vegetarian and quite costly but it's very good.

Cafe paradiso is awesome alright. Not open sunday, but open monday. Hardly anything in the city open on a sunday.

On orzo, I'm sure that is a good business model. They actually had about 6 free seats when we went in last, but the seats were spread out rather than together, we were a grouo of 4. You probably wouldn't be waiting long as a twosome or in on your own, but it's harder for a bunch of buddies.

mcmurph

Its the first time in almost 4 years me and the wife have been away over night without the kids and first time in over a year we'll have had dinner alone.....So a treat I think is in order

Both look great suggestions thanks.

evilivor

mcmurph wrote: »

Its the first time in almost 4 years me and the wife have been away over night without the kids and first time in over a year we'll have had dinner alone.....So a treat I think is in order

Both look great suggestions thanks.

Defo Paradiso then.

nerwen

Went to Les Gourmandise the other day and while everything was nice (except for the room itself, my god can you say stuck in the 80s) I didn't walk away super impressed.

Paid €100 for 2 people which is probably the most expensive place I've been in Cork so far.

We had a daily special starter that was panko shrimp with a mango cream and jelly, which was probably the best part of the meal, great flavour combinations. The other starter was a chef platter with a parsnip soup shot, breaded scallop and rabbit terrine, all nice though not favorites of mine in taste. A little bland and/or on the sweet side. My date had a salmon dish that she absolutely loved, I had a duck that was cooked to perfection and came in abundance - sadly the same couldn't be said for the 2 slices of potato that came with it. For dessert I had a passion fruit jelly with a mango mouse and pinapple granita on top, it was gorgeous and basically summer in a cup. We also both had a glass of wine.

They do a menu that's €35 with a glass of vine for specific weeknights, so if you really like French food I'd recommend it for a treat. Personally, not being a massive French food fan, I doubt I'll be going again.

pwurple

Nerwen that dinner sounds fantastic! Was it the price which was the problem, or it just wasn't to your taste? Sounds like you loved the starter, duck and the dessert!

It's not the most expensive place in cork tbh... Off the top of my head, Oysters would be more deoending on what you order. hayfield manor is pricey, ivory tower does tasting menus for 50 and 60 euro a head. Even cafe paradiso's three course menu is 40 euro a head, without drinks or coffee. Probably more places as well.

There's a place for cheap and cheerful, middling and expensive all in the city I think.

evilivor

I believe Meades has reopened? Anyone know what's the story - who is running it, is it any good?

nerwen

pwurple wrote: »

Nerwen that dinner sounds fantastic! Was it the price which was the problem, or it just wasn't to your taste? Sounds like you loved the starter, duck and the dessert!

Re-reading my post I am clearly having some mixed emotions about the place! I think it's mainly that I'm just not a massive fan of French cuisine that was the problem. For anyone that likes French and is hunting for a nicer place, I'd definitely recommend it.

pancake batter

Any recommendations of restaurants that have a private room/area for dining/drinks?..for a group of about 25?

SusieBlue

pancake batter wrote: »

Any recommendations of restaurants that have a private room/area for dining/drinks?..for a group of about 25?

SoHo would be a good bet, I think they have private function rooms.

nerwen

WhiteRoses wrote: »

SoHo would be a good bet, I think they have private function rooms.

I know they have a BBQ deck on their top floor, been there for team outings with about 30 people and the space was nice. There's a private bar up there, though it's not fancy in any way.

sporina

so with these sunny evenings, there is another factor to consider when choosing where to eat in the city…

so where do ye like to go for an outdoor/window seat in the sun for some tapas and a glass of your choice?

SteelyDanJalapeno

sporina wrote: »

so with these sunny evenings, there is another factor to consider when choosing where to eat in the city…

so where do ye like to go for an outdoor/window seat in the sun for some tapas and a glass of your choice?

Boardwalk?

sporina

TiltedBrain wrote: »

Boardwalk?

hmm does lapp's quay get the sun in the eve?

gimmick

Looks like Ramen are opening a premises at Dennehys Cross next door to the Tesco Express. Presumably for the student market so the complete lack of parking wont be an issue for them.

ABajaninCork

Went back to McGettigans today for a spot of lunch. What a difference in the food and service! It was like night and day...

Went for the chicken wings again. Freshly cooked, nice piquant sauce, and a nice Cashel Blue dip to go with it. Delicious! My husband had the special of French Onion soup which was also nice.

My husband had the rib-eye steak to follow. Nice bit of steak, well-cooked and nicely presented with chunky chips. I chose the special of deep-fried sole with a nice side salad with pesto dressing, grilled asparagus and chunky chips as well. Very, very nice meal, and the service was excellent too.

We'll be back!

Oafley Jones

gimmick wrote: »

Looks like Ramen are opening a premises at Dennehys Cross next door to the Tesco Express. Presumably for the student market so the complete lack of parking wont be an issue for them.

Same carpark as Tesco i presume. Still it's a pain in the hole to get out of.

Footoo

gimmick wrote: »

Looks like Ramen are opening a premises at Dennehys Cross next door to the Tesco Express. Presumably for the student market so the complete lack of parking wont be an issue for them.

The popularity of this place is one of the most baffling things I've seen in ages.

I really don't understand it. Poor quality food that's bizarrely actually gotten worse since it opened.

It looks like some copycat competitors are starting to enter the market on South Main St not far from Wagamamas.

kcb

Tried that Perry St place again (after a terrible first experience!). They seem to have improved a little bit in terms of service but it still seems haphazard and you wouldn't want to be in a rush.

They take your money and give you a number. This time I had to wait about 10 minutes for my coffee.

The coffee was good and food in general seemed to go down well. There is just something about the place that I don't like!

Wouldn't be going back by choice.

evilivor

Had lunch in Coqbul - still think the name is dreadful but can't fault the food.

It's glorified burgers and chips but it's a nice room - pleasant staff - and the food was spot on - my companion said their burger could have been hotter - like it was cooked and left too cool but mine was divine. It was definitely the nicest burger I've eaten in Cork and nice chips too.

Overall, top notch.

dudara

Visited Coqbull last night, but left disappointed. Ultimately, they offer chicken and burgers. My burger had delicious toppings (blue cheese, bone marrow), but the patty itself was overcooked, dry and mealy. It's such a disappointment when a burger joint fails on the burgers. I swapped sweet potato fries for the regular fries and they were not dredged/cooked well.

They also list "Coqtails" but to be honest, they're really glorified mixed drinks and with a price tag of €9.50 for a raspberry mojito that I couldn't taste any alcohol in, I wasn't impressed. Either lower the price, or increase the quality of the drink.

Service was good and I really like the venue itself. It's got a bit of buzz going on that Cork needs. I'd be interested to hear other opinions, but based on last night, I wouldn't be back for the burgers.

evilivor

dudara wrote: »

Visited Coqbull last night, but left disappointed. Ultimately, they offer chicken and burgers. My burger had delicious toppings (blue cheese, bone marrow), but the patty itself was overcooked, dry and mealy. It's such a disappointment when a burger joint fails on the burgers. I swapped sweet potato fries for the regular fries and they were not dredged/cooked well.

They also list "Coqtails" but to be honest, they're really glorified mixed drinks and with a price tag of €9.50 for a raspberry mojito that I couldn't taste any alcohol in, I wasn't impressed. Either lower the price, or increase the quality of the drink.

Service was good and I really like the venue itself. It's got a bit of buzz going on that Cork needs. I'd be interested to hear other opinions, but based on last night, I wouldn't be back for the burgers.

Was it busy? It was deathly quiet when I was there.

dudara

It was jointed. We had to wait a small while for a table to become available.

pwurple

Footoo wrote: »

The popularity of this place is one of the most baffling things I've seen in ages.

I really don't understand it. Poor quality food that's bizarrely actually gotten worse since it opened.

It looks like some copycat competitors are starting to enter the market on South Main St not far from Wagamamas.

I was only there at the startr, but the quality was very good then. Super-fresh veg, cooked fast, very tasty. I love lots of tasty crisp fresh veg in a take away, it's nearly impossible to get. Shame if they stopped doing that. I would go there more if I could park near it.

bladebrew

Footoo wrote: »

The popularity of this place is one of the most baffling things I've seen in ages.

I really don't understand it. Poor quality food that's bizarrely actually gotten worse since it opened.

It looks like some copycat competitors are starting to enter the market on South Main St not far from Wagamamas.

I don't understand it either, we spent €47 on a takeaway to feed 3, it's a stir fry you can make at home in a box, everything just tastes of sauce, we had a Massaman beef that was basically every vegetable in the kitchen swimming in sauce, maybe eating in would be nicer?!

Malari

pwurple wrote: »

I was only there at the startr, but the quality was very good then. Super-fresh veg, cooked fast, very tasty. I love lots of tasty crisp fresh veg in a take away, it's nearly impossible to get. Shame if they stopped doing that. I would go there more if I could park near it.

I'd echo this. Haven't been in a good while but I was impressed with the freshness and flavour when I went. Disappointed if the quality has gone downhill :-/

ABajaninCork

I used Ramen for a takeaway once. That was enough. The Pad Thai was nice and good portions, but the so-called crispy prawns were disgusting. I've detailed my experience earlier on the in the thread. Personally, I think Ramen is overrated, overpriced and the food was crap. I can get better elsewhere, and won't be returning there.

Nonoperational

I just get the Pad Thai in Ramen and I love it.


Went to Mcgettigan's recently. The place looks great, staff were friendly and food wasn't bad. Steak was over cooked though by a long way. I'd go there again though, nice vibe about it.

Footoo

Their "pad Thai" is as close to authentic pad Thai as a packet of koka noodles.

It's basically noodles , veg, about three pieces of chicken or prawns and some rancid dark soy based sauce that they use in all they're noodle dishes.

curly from cork

Not too sure Rocketman in Princes St. qualifies as a restaurant!! However queued today for my small salad bowl , priced at e5.5o .leaves, two salads,two dressings. It was lovely, plenty of it too. Very fresh and a small but adequate selection I thought. Hope they do well.

SusieBlue

Went to Liberty Grill again this evening and it was excellent. Quickly becoming my favourite spot!

Had the deep fried cambozola to start, followed by the ceaser salad which I had with a side order of rustic potatoes which were amazing. Had the berry cheesecake for dessert which was probably my least favourite course, perfectly nice but paled in comparison to the starter and main.

Great food and excellent service, a bit pricey but worth it.

Faith

I don't think the quality in Ramen has gone downhill. We're guilty of eating from there on a regular basis now and I haven't noticed a decline.

My only complaint is I think they sometimes cook dishes on woks which presumably have lots of leftover chili from whatever was previously cooked on it. At least 3 times that I've ordered Pad Thai there, it's been extremely spicy. Not great when you've no heat tolerance like me! It's also not supposed to have any chili in it at all so it ruins it for me when it's spicy.

Cedrus

Faith wrote: »

My only complaint is I think they sometimes cook dishes on woks which presumably have lots of leftover chili from whatever was previously cooked on it. At least 3 times that I've ordered Pad Thai there, it's been extremely spicy. Not great when you've no heat tolerance like me! It's also not supposed to have any chili in it at all so it ruins it for me when it's spicy.

Are you sure? I've never had a Pad Thai that didn't have some form of chilli in it.

Faith

Cedrus wrote: »

Are you sure? I've never had a Pad Thai that didn't have some form of chilli in it.

Well, it's not listed as an ingredient.

Extremely popular throughout Thailand, this flat noodle dish comes with chicken, spring onion, carrot, egg and beansprouts, granished with peanuts and lime.

And normally it's not got much heat at all (the one from Ramen anyway, I can't speak for others!).

If it was listed, I'd just order it without chili. Maybe it's an oversight?

Nonoperational

Footoo wrote: »

Their "pad Thai" is as close to authentic pad Thai as a packet of koka noodles.

It's basically noodles , veg, about three pieces of chicken or prawns and some rancid dark soy based sauce that they use in all they're noodle dishes.

Never said it was authentic, but I still really like it. The sauce isn't at all "rancid".

Roger Hassenforder

Faith wrote: »

Well, it's not listed as an ingredient.



And normally it's not got much heat at all (the one from Ramen anyway, I can't speak for others!).

If it was listed, I'd just order it without chili. Maybe it's an oversight?

pad thai usually has chilli

Ramen in Dennehys cross opened this evening.
Wife had pad thai, it was lovely. Lovely fresh crunchy vegetables (they'd want to be on first night!).
I'd penang curry, lovely as well, but the pad thai was nicer!
parking an issue all right, but there's always Tesco's underground.
Staff very nice

Roesy

Any recommendations for restaurants around Skibbereen? We're heading to West Cork for a couple of days for our anniversary.

Markcheese

My mam likes the church restaurant in skibb, few nice places in baltimor and Schull if ye get that far ...

the beer revolu

Kalbo's is a lovely little cafe. Really good local, homecooked food.

the beer revolu

Kalbo's is a lovely little cafe. Really good local, homecooked food.

.red.

The Paragon does good food. Its nothing fancy, just a bar but worth a visit for the chicken wings alone.
The weather was glorious last year when we were down there so we got a take away and went out to Tragumna and sat on the grass with it. Lovely spot looking over the beach and sea and we enjoyed it more than any restaurant we could have sat in. It would be a good option to get a picnic lunch somewhere and go there with it for something different.

Loire

Faith wrote: »

Well, it's not listed as an ingredient.



And normally it's not got much heat at all (the one from Ramen anyway, I can't speak for others!).

Hi Faith,

I had a Pad Thai from Ramen in Wilton last night and actually found it hot enough. It was tasty too and went down well with a pair of Spatens from Aldi during the World Cup

Loire

evilivor

Loire wrote: »

Hi Faith,

I had a Pad Thai from Ramen in Wilton last night and actually found it hot enough. It was tasty too and went down well with a pair of Spatens from Aldi during the World Cup

Loire

New sushi and noodle place on Oliver Plunkett street, WabiSabi I think it's called, over O'Donovan's Off Licence.