The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

54and56

ncur wrote: »

Was the Dim Sum good? I have been promising myself to go to Yuan Ming Yuan to try it but still haven't done so. On a side note, you can pay for 1 to 2 hours street parking by phone using parkmagic.net but you do have to register first. https://bookings.parkmagic.net/pmui/website/pay_by_phone.html

Dim Sum was actually very good, particularly enjoyed the scallop and prawn one.

I tried registering for the disc parking but it was an automated process which drove me crazy and took forever so I pulled out of where I was parked and eventually found a privately run car park which I used. I nearly gave up though and was going to just head to Ringaskiddy. Glad I didn't but I won't be in a hurry to drive into the city to spend money again as the disc parking lark is off putting.

Nonoperational

Cedrus wrote: »

Fernhill golf club is just off the ringaskiddy road (about three hundred metres after the shannonpark roundabout), they do good, but basic lunches.

For chinese, somewhere in douglas would be more practical than the city centre. The Briar Rose used to be excellent (the only place I would eat when I came home from china) but has slid in recent years according to many.

The elm tree is good, I was there recently and was surprised how good the carvery was (not a fan of overcooked meat) but it will be very busy and I believe carvery only on a sunday, not sure if I'd detour for it.

The Briar Rose Chinese is closed for years.

Bacchus

Finally went to Cafe Paradiso last night. Amazing food. So so tasty. The haloumi main I had was pure heaven. The choc moose desert too was one of the best deserts I've had anywhere in a long time. Great starters + mains too.

pwurple

Thumbs up for the new Spanish place across the road from costigans on Washington street. It's a little mom & pop style place. We had frittatas, the stuffed dates (best of the lot!) , calamari, and loads of other tapas. All Spanish wines. Had a coconut flan which was yum too.

It's fairly studenty there, because of location really.

limnam

Ivory tower.

Not the worst dining experience I've had in Cork, But I can't recall worse food. I'll have to think a bit harder about it, somewhere must have been more disappointing.

Almost everything was over salted and over cooked. Felt like very cheap ingredients with flavors that were just never going to work well together.

Huge disappointment as I've been keeping it in my back pocket for a special occasion. Would never, under any circumstances return

northgirl

pwurple wrote: »

Thumbs up for the new Spanish place across the road from costigans on Washington street. It's a little mom & pop style place. We had frittatas, the stuffed dates (best of the lot!) , calamari, and loads of other tapas. All Spanish wines. Had a coconut flan which was yum too.

It's fairly studenty there, because of location really.

Do you know what it's called - hadn't heard of it, would like to try!

bleach94

Can anyone who's eaten in 14a tell me if it's worth trying?

rob316

bleach94 wrote: »

Can anyone who's eaten in 14a tell me if it's worth trying?

Not great, its the sister restraunt of amicus.

pwurple

northgirl wrote: »

Do you know what it's called - hadn't heard of it, would like to try!

It's called Feed Your Senses.

D'Agger

bleach94 wrote: »

Can anyone who's eaten in 14a tell me if it's worth trying?

It's 50/50 what you get with 14a tbh

I've eaten there twice and enjoyed the food it has to be said, I did find the place fairly cramped however. I've also had one or two people state that they weren't overly impressed with it when they ate there.

It's worth trying at some point but if you have a list of places to try then I'm fairly certain there'll be better options available to you in the city.

Bacchus

bleach94 wrote: »

Can anyone who's eaten in 14a tell me if it's worth trying?

Been there for lunch once. I thought it was decent. Tasty food, big portions & pleasant staff. Certainly worth trying but there are other places in Cork worth trying ahead of it (depending on what you're looking for, where you've already tried).

whatever76

any reports on Ballymaloe for Saturday Lunch ?

sporina

D'Agger wrote: »

It's 50/50 what you get with 14a tbh

I've eaten there twice and enjoyed the food it has to be said, I did find the place fairly cramped however. I've also had one or two people state that they weren't overly impressed with it when they ate there.

It's worth trying at some point but if you have a list of places to try then I'm fairly certain there'll be better options available to you in the city.

oh there are way better places in the city to try believe me..

i have been there on a few occasions - its convenient and has something for anyone - thats the only pro

but last time i was there, one of the company i was in ordered tuna… when he was asked "so how is your meal?' he said "well, i ordered tuna but i am not sure what it is.." it looks like a roast piece of something alright, but not tuna,.

not been back since..

oh and i remembered having a goats cheese salad once with yogurt dressing - it was more a case of, yogurt salad with goats cheese - wayyy too much dressing…

pwurple

whatever76 wrote: »

any reports on Ballymaloe for Saturday Lunch ?

Haven't been in ages, but is ballymaloe sunday lunch still the buffet setup?

If it is, that was really very good. I know some people think Ballymaloe overcharges for simple food grown locally, but I really like that traditional Irish simple food, with good ingredients, cooked well. It's not fancy-pants, it's just good.

If it's table service, they come around with seconds or thirds of any of the meats or fish you order, and everything else, (and you can ask for a bit of the beef if you've ordered the fish) so don't feel like you're jipped if your first serving at main course is small. just ask for more when they come around.

And the very best thing about ballymaloe, is the dessert trolley.

rob316

pwurple wrote: »

Haven't been in ages, but is ballymaloe sunday lunch still the buffet setup?

If it is, that was really very good. I know some people think Ballymaloe overcharges for simple food grown locally, but I really like that traditional Irish simple food, with good ingredients, cooked well. It's not fancy-pants, it's just good.

If it's table service, they come around with seconds or thirds of any of the meats or fish you order, and everything else, (and you can ask for a bit of the beef if you've ordered the fish) so don't feel like you're jipped if your first serving at main course is small. just ask for more when they come around.

And the very best thing about ballymaloe, is the dessert trolley.

As my grandmother said to the server about the size. "You couldn't feed a man with that!"

J Mysterio

AA Gill slated Ballymaloe a couple of months ago. He didnt bother to give it a proper review and instead did a write up of the place in the English Market, which he adored.

pwurple

J Mysterio wrote: »

AA Gill slated Ballymaloe a couple of months ago. He didnt bother to give it a proper review and instead did a write up of the place in the English Market, which he adored.

Yup, I read that.. twas last year some time I think. He complained about the layout of the car park, the stuff for sale in the shop, and the fact there were more women than men in the restaurant. Stuff wasn't spiced enough for him, and there were too many carrots.

He seemed really grouchy. Ballymaloe isn't for everyone, it has it's own style, but I like the simplicity of it.

whatever76

pwurple wrote: »

Yup, I read that.. twas last year some time I think. He complained about the layout of the car park, the stuff for sale in the shop, and the fact there were more women than men in the restaurant. Stuff wasn't spiced enough for him, and there were too many carrots.

He seemed really grouchy. Ballymaloe isn't for everyone, it has it's own style, but I like the simplicity of it.

yea I read that too - have a voucher so just sussing out if anyone been there recently. I shall report back !!

pwurple

whatever76 wrote: »

yea I read that too - have a voucher so just sussing out if anyone been there recently. I shall report back !!

Oh I was there for a work thing a few weeks ago in the evening. Twas good. Just haven't been to lunch in yonks.

ibarelycare

Heading to Cork tomorrow for a night. We're staying in Jury's and going to a football match in Turner's Cross at 8 and looking for somewhere to get something to eat beforehand (around 6.30). Somewhere in the vicinity of the hotel and stadium would be ideal. Any pubs around that area that do very nice pub grub? Or any other suggestions (not too pricey, any cuisine but not fast food)?

pwurple

ibarelycare wrote: »

Heading to Cork tomorrow for a night. We're staying in Jury's and going to a football match in Turner's Cross at 8 and looking for somewhere to get something to eat beforehand (around 6.30). Somewhere in the vicinity of the hotel and stadium would be ideal. Any pubs around that area that do very nice pub grub? Or any other suggestions (not too pricey, any cuisine but not fast food)?

Do you mean Jury's inn, or the River Lee Hotel (formerly Jurys). Two different areas of the city.

How are you getting to the match? Car, bus ? Can advise some stuff based on the route.
Generally, I think the best pub grub in the city is in Gallaghers, on Maccurtain street/bridge street corner. That's near enough to jury's inn.

http://www.gallagherspubcork.com/

ibarelycare

pwurple wrote: »

Do you mean Jury's inn, or the River Lee Hotel (formerly Jurys). Two different areas of the city.

How are you getting to the match? Car, bus ? Can advise some stuff based on the route.
Generally, I think the best pub grub in the city is in Gallaghers, on Maccurtain street/bridge street corner. That's near enough to jury's inn.

http://www.gallagherspubcork.com/

Jury's Inn on Andersons Quay. We'll have the car but will probably leave it at the hotel so will be walking/taxi-ing.

Thanks for that, will check it out

pwurple

ibarelycare wrote: »

Jury's Inn on Andersons Quay. We'll have the car but will probably leave it at the hotel so will be walking/taxi-ing.

Thanks for that, will check it out

Ah yeah, sure you've the whole city there. If you're up for something bigger, as you're in early... try Elbow Lane on oliver plunkett street. Steaks and beer in there mainly. Can get very busy later, but you've a good chance of a table at 6ish.

SusieBlue

Finally got round to trying Brick Lane. Superb lunch menu, full of home comforts. I tried the roast chicken and stuffing ciabbata with red pepper relish - It was amazing. The potato bravas were were a great side dish. I'd happily have eaten another portion.

My friend had the chicken ceaser wrap which she devoured and said would happily order again. Great, prompt, friendly service and very reasonably priced. I paid roughly €10 for my meal and a drink which was great value.

I can't wait to go back and try it again. Someone at the table next to us got the Club sandwich and I was drooling looking at it. Great spot!

nerwen

I went to Brick Lane as well this week and was pretty pleased with it.

I had ribs which came with corn on the cob and patatas bravas (though they could just say small fries as it's got nothing to do with the Spanish version, but disregarding that) which was nice. Big portion, ribs were fall off the bone. My friends had chicken wings, steak sandwich (got rave reviews) and a burger. Everyone seemed overall pleased, only thing that wasn't our thing were the tornado potatoes with "house spices". They're basically crisps on a stick rather than the curlyfries we expected from the description and I can't say they felt spiced in any way, kind of disappointing.

Great service and alright prices, good selection of beer as well. Very likely to go back.

pwurple

Do the patatas bravas have a super hot chilli sauce on them? Looking for a good hot version of them in cork for a while. The translation is Brave potatoes afterall

nerwen

Nope, they are just little bits of fried potatoes.

pwurple

nerwen wrote: »

Nope, they are just little bits of fried potatoes.

Pfft!

Milly33

Is Coq n Bull nice for dinner! We just called in for a snack the other day and I thought twas nice.

pwurple

Milly33 wrote: »

Is Coq n Bull nice for dinner! We just called in for a snack the other day and I thought twas nice.

It's a posher noisy expensive chipper. Grand like, for expensive burgers where you don't want to hear your companions talk.

Milly33

mmm so loud! Perhaps not then I don't mind a bit busy but I want to be able to hear... thanks pwurple...

pwurple

Milly33 wrote: »

mmm so loud! Perhaps not then I don't mind a bit busy but I want to be able to hear... thanks pwurple...

Bear in mind I'm an old fogey...

nerwen

Milly33 wrote: »

Is Coq n Bull nice for dinner! We just called in for a snack the other day and I thought twas nice.

I think my main problem with it is it's inconsistency. I've been a fair few times now (more than I'd chose to, mainly because it's popular for bigger groups/work dos) and only once has the food been amazing. Mostly it's been average. Occasionally it's been terrible.

And my god is it loud. Also in the fogey club I guess.

Milly33

im sure yer not, or at least young at heart haha.. No that all sounds good I hate loud places, the last one was East Village and I hated it..

Culio thanks for the tip off. It was during the day we went in so hard to judge it

Bacchus

Only been to Coq Bull once and I really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. It's a loud bustling restaurant but the four of us had no problem chatting away. I enjoyed it and would go again but it's not a place I'd be rushing back to.

J Mysterio

Went to Brick Lane today. The place is nice for sure. The service was horribly slow for lunch time though - it took 35 mins to get a steak sandwich (and that was when there was only two other tables waiting that I could see)! If they don't pick it up they will fail. I'll definitely give them another chance but if its as slow, I won't go back. I will leave it a few weeks anyway as it's probably just growing pains.

The Steak Sandwich was ok, not great. It came on some nice bread but the bread was soaked through with sauce so it was soggy and was disintegrating in the hand. There was also much too much pesto, which wasn't great.

The 'Potatoe Bravas' thing is bizarre as well. They can't be called Bravas at all and it puzzles me why they are? Strange.

I listened to the waitress trying to explain the 'tornado' chips to some customers which was funny as well - she couldn't and gave up :pac:

northgirl

Had tapas in Iberian Way/La Tasca this evening. We had 6 dishes between us including Empanada, Pimientos de Padrón, Croquetas de Jamón, Garlic Prawns, Slow cooked spicy chicken & some type of deep fried Cod fritters washed down with a nice bottle of Albariño.

The food was delicious, best Spanish food I've eaten in Ireland will definitely be back.

Karmella

northgirl wrote: »

Had tapas in Iberian Way/La Tasca this evening. We had 6 dishes between us including Empanada, Pimientos de Padrón, Croquetas de Jamón, Garlic Prawns, Slow cooked spicy chicken & some type of deep fried Cod fritters washed down with a nice bottle of Albariño.

The food was delicious, best Spanish food I've eaten in Ireland will definitely be back.

Where's this place?

Malari

Ooh, I picked up a few deli bits in there recently and they were lovely. Haven't eaten in it yet, but glad to hear it's good!

It's on Douglas St, Karmella, near Fionbarra pub.

northgirl

Malari wrote: »

Ooh, I picked up a few deli bits in there recently and they were lovely. Haven't eaten in it yet, but glad to hear it's good!

It's on Douglas St, Karmella, near Fionbarra pub.

It's well worth the trip but you'll need to book in advance we were really lucky to get a table last night; the number is on their Facebook page.

whatever76

Another café opening up on Academy st ! Sounds fab - this will do great I reckon !

http://www.eveningecho.ie/cork-news/new-business-for-academy-street/

rob316

whatever76 wrote: »

Another café opening up on Academy st ! Sounds fab - this will do great I reckon !

http://www.eveningecho.ie/cork-news/new-business-for-academy-street/

Hope its better value that rip off Rocket Man place. €6 something for a tub of leaves and a few tiny scoops of salad.

northgirl

rob316 wrote: »

Hope its better value that rip off Rocket Man place. €6 something for a tub of leaves and a few tiny scoops of salad.

I've had salads from both stalls at the Wilton farmers market and my preference would definitely lie with these in terms of taste, variety & value for money. Hope it will transfer well to a café setting, looking forward to trying it out.

J Mysterio

My mum goes to subway for the salad there :pac: I suppose you get a decent portion for low spend.

pwurple

rob316 wrote: »

Hope its better value that rip off Rocket Man place. €6 something for a tub of leaves and a few tiny scoops of salad.

Tiny? What size are ya? I've had it twice and it easily does me two meals! Thought it was cheap for two dinners.

dibkins

I think the €6 tub in town isn't great value. At the Wilton RM stand you get the same tub filled with salads (no leaves) for €5. They are so bloody tasty though, i just want to steal their recipes.

Bacchus

rob316 wrote: »

Hope its better value that rip off Rocket Man place. €6 something for a tub of leaves and a few tiny scoops of salad.

northgirl wrote: »

I've had salads from both stalls at the Wilton farmers market and my preference would definitely lie with these in terms of taste, variety & value for money. Hope it will transfer well to a café setting, looking forward to trying it out.

pwurple wrote: »

Tiny? What size are ya? I've had it twice and it easily does me two meals! Thought it was cheap for two dinners.

dibkins wrote: »

I think the €6 tub in town isn't great value. At the Wilton RM stand you get the same tub filled with salads (no leaves) for €5. They are so bloody tasty though, i just want to steal their recipes.

To chime in on this.

Rocket Man at the market is streets ahead in terms of value than the bricks and mortar shop in town.

The market portions will fill you for a fiver. In town, you pay a euro extra and they half fill the tub with leaves. It's a rip off. I love Rocket Man and wish him every success but the prices in town are a rip off.

pwurple

Bacchus wrote: »

To chime in on this.

Rocket Man at the market is streets ahead in terms of value than the bricks and mortar shop in town.

The market portions will fill you for a fiver. In town, you pay a euro extra and they half fill the tub with leaves. It's a rip off. I love Rocket Man and wish him every success but the prices in town are a rip off.

Why don't you say no leaves? They asked me whether I wanted them or not. (I did, cos I like leaves!)

Bacchus

pwurple wrote: »

Why don't you say no leaves? They asked me whether I wanted them or not. (I did, cos I like leaves!)

First time went in, it happened without asking or me realising until I dug in.

Second time, my wife picked me up a tub on way from town and the same happened.

Next time asked for no leaves but still got a paltry portion of salad (relative to what you get in market). I could have kicked up about it but the outcome likely would have been they try and charge me for a large tub. Instead, they've lost me as a customer (well, I'll still buy at the market).

rob316

The sandwich stall in the English market is much better value for their salads. It goes by weight but the most I've ever paid is €7 for a large box and I would struggle to eat the whole thing, usually leave a third for mid afternoon snack.

I'll check out rocket man at the market next time never again the shop though.