The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

whatever76

Ate in Orso last night ... fab as usual ! Love that place

limnam

whatever76 wrote: »

Ate in Orso last night ... fab as usual ! Love that place

It's a real gem I can just never get a seat

phater phagan

Hi guys, I'm heading to the city for an overnight on Saturday ( new years eve). I will be ( unfortunately ) on my own - any suggestions for a place to eat where a single guy can get a seat early-5.30 or so. Also a good place after for a few drinks. I like the Imperial bar, and Market Lane, also Paradiso. Any advice for this Lonely Guy greatly appreciated.

limnam

phater phagan wrote: »

Hi guys, I'm heading to the city for an overnight on Saturday ( new years eve). I will be ( unfortunately ) on my own - any suggestions for a place to eat where a single guy can get a seat early-5.30 or so. Also a good place after for a few drinks. I like the Imperial bar, and Market Lane, also Paradiso. Any advice for this Lonely Guy greatly appreciated.

Not a restaurant but.

You could go to the Bierhaus for some really nice selection of beers and they can order in from many of the places on popes quay for you

That's what I'd be at on my own anyway

I think Elbow lane is back open now you could go there nice food and if they have their own beers on they're decent.

ngunners

What about Pizza and good beer in the Franciscan Well or Rising Sons? There's football on tomorrow so if you're a fan you could watch Liverpool play City on the big screen in the Rising Sons while enjoying your pizza and beverage.

phater phagan

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I might give Elbow a try - alas I'm an Arsenal fan. I'd be rooting for both teams to lose - an impossibility I know, but perhaps a 0-0 draw. I might pop into Mutton Lane after an early meal. It will most likely be jam packed. I do like the Rising Sun too, so a visit there also in the cards. If this year is anything like any other for the past 10 or so, I will be ensconced in a comfortable leaba when the bells toll. I'm of a certain age.

limnam

phater phagan wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I might give Elbow a try - alas I'm an Arsenal fan. I'd be rooting for both teams to lose - an impossibility I know, but perhaps a 0-0 draw. I might pop into Mutton Lane after an early meal. It will most likely be jam packed. I do like the Rising Sun too, so a visit there also in the cards. If this year is anything like any other for the past 10 or so, I will be ensconced in a comfortable leaba when the bells toll. I'm of a certain age.

Let us know if you need an "old man" pub that won't be very busy

phater phagan

limnam wrote: »

Let us know if you need an "old man" pub that won't be very busy

I beg your pardon?! I'm not old - just well seasoned.:cool:

farmerjj

Tried coqbull yesterday during the day and gotta say its way over priced paid €7.50 for a small portion of spicy buffalo wings (a bit 2spicy for me but not bad) and €14 for a burger and chips(burger was grand and chips weren't great) no sauce with them or veg think for the middle of the day it would be better value. I doubt I,d go back at those prices anyway

Rhinohippo

farmerjj wrote: »

Tried coqbull yesterday during the day and gotta say its way over priced paid €7.50 for a small portion of spicy buffalo wings (a bit 2spicy for me but not bad) and €14 for a burger and chips(burger was grand and chips weren't great) no sauce with them or veg think for the middle of the day it would be better value. I doubt I,d go back at those prices anyway

Some of these places make a name for themselves and then think they can charge what they like. Have they increased their prices recently?

limnam

northgirl wrote: »

I was there last Spring for the first time. Honestly I wouldn't be rushing back there. The food was nice, don't get me wrong but I'm more into laid back, informal dining tbh. I thought it was expensive for what we got too.

Sorry for quoting such an old response, but I've been to les gourmandise twice since I asked originally and thought I reported back but I can't seem to find any posts from me on it.

I went last December I was most impressed by our waiter, her wine knowledge was top notch which is really rare in Cork for some reason bar the som in Hayfield manor who really knows her stuff.

When we ordered the wine knowing it was going to need a bit of a decanting as soon as we stated the name of the wine she flew into the kitchen without prompting and immediately tried to get some air into the bottle. Color me impressed.

Anyway she was great and the wine was great. The food was only so so which I was really surprised about. Everything seemed to be just that tiny bit over done or a flavor just a tad too much. It was not enough to fire it back but enough to be slightly disappointed.

For some reason I forgot about all the negatives and ended up back there again. But it got a bit worse. There was no knowledgeable waiter on hand this time nor did they offer to decant the wine (this is a small thing that I missed it's not that important). But the food was a let down again. Pretty much the same as the last time everything just a small bit off what it should have been.

It has a bit of a formal feel to the place I prefer a more relaxed atmosphere but I don't let it get in the way. I have to agree with Northgirl for what you end up paying you would expect a dining experience a few notches higher than what's on offer here.

My overall feeling is a lot of fur and no knickers
I'm going to say now I won't return, but I'll probably end up back there somehow.

kcb

Republic in Ballincollig

Very enjoyable evening recently. A nice venue, plenty of space and light.

Friendly and helpful staff.

The food was good all round. Menu is straight forward but couldn't complain about what we got.

Colser

Looking for somewhere for a mixed age group with a toddler as well..not too pricey and with steak ,fish/chip ect..maybe an early bird..in the city or 20 min drive..any suggestions?

limnam

Colser wrote: »

Looking for somewhere for a mixed age group with a toddler as well..not too pricey and with steak ,fish/chip ect..maybe an early bird..in the city or 20 min drive..any suggestions?

With the toddler I'm going to suggest Milano. Plenty of space, decent food at decent prizes should be something for everyone

BailMeOut

Colser wrote: »

Looking for somewhere for a mixed age group with a toddler as well..not too pricey and with steak ,fish/chip ect..maybe an early bird..in the city or 20 min drive..any suggestions?

Market Lane is brilliant with kids and families. It is our preferred restaurant where we take our three and they love that they are fussed over and treated so well by everyone.

ncmc

Colser wrote: »

Looking for somewhere for a mixed age group with a toddler as well..not too pricey and with steak ,fish/chip ect..maybe an early bird..in the city or 20 min drive..any suggestions?

The Silver Quay in Ballinlough is nice, they do an early bird but the prices on the a la carte are quite reasonable so even if you don't fancy the early bird, it shouldn't break the bank. Staff are friendly and it's large and spacious, so plenty of room for a high chair or buggy if needed. The Elm Tree in Glounthane is also lovely. I like Amicus in the city centre, but it's not huge so you'd probably need to book. But to be honest, I eat out with my toddler quite a bit and I've never been made to feel any less than 100% welcome everywhere I've been. Even in 42A which is TINY they were very accommodating.

farmerjj

14A do you mean ncmc? Agree with your choices must try silver quay soon never been there.

ncmc

farmerjj wrote: »

14A do you mean ncmc? Agree with your choices must try silver quay soon never been there.

Sorry, yes, meant 14A!

Icsics

Colser wrote: »

Looking for somewhere for a mixed age group with a toddler as well..not too pricey and with steak ,fish/chip ect..maybe an early bird..in the city or 20 min drive..any suggestions?

Cornstore,good value early bird menus & food bowl under 2 free.

kcb

Avoid Cornstore. Aswell as being a terrible restaurant, parking is tricky around that part of town.

With a toddler and a large group I'd head to Republic actually. It worked out well for our similar group recently.

Or else somewhere outside city centre with parking.

Nonoperational

kcb wrote: »

Avoid Cornstore. Aswell as being a terrible restaurant, parking is tricky around that part of town.

With a toddler and a large group I'd head to Republic actually. It worked out well for our similar group recently.

Or else somewhere outside city centre with parking.

In your opinion. Have had some fine meals there.

limnam

kcb wrote: »

Avoid Cornstore. Aswell as being a terrible restaurant, parking is tricky around that part of town.

With a toddler and a large group I'd head to Republic actually. It worked out well for our similar group recently.

Or else somewhere outside city centre with parking.

I'd agree with this, well at least the part to avoid it but more to do with the little one. If you have a pram etc it can be very tight in there and parking is a bit of a pain but that can be the same for most places so I wouldn't worry about that too much if you're parking in one of the big lots.

pwurple

Another vote for avoiding Cornstore. Odd when places try to be thai, indian, irish, french, american and italian all at the same time. They get nothing right.

My place for kids is usually Italee cafe on oliver plunkett street. Real italian food, doesn't break the bank, nice little nutella biscuits for 70 cent afterwards and the children think they have had a massive treat. Only open at lunchtime, and not sundays.

Market lane is good too if you can get in, they have the colouring sheets and make a big deal of them.

Blackrock castle is the same crowd, same menu as market lane for chilren I think, same colouring thing. Very welcoming. Parking is there. This would be my top pick for a mixed group. Not crazy money, lovely setting.

I like wagamamas with children too, novelty thing with the noodles really, but probably not for older crowd.

Milano's... i've been in there once. It's the pizza express chain from the Uk. Absolutely mental for children. They run riot, racing around, very noisy etc. If your children are noisy etc, then that's the spot for them.

BailMeOut

limnam wrote: »

I'd agree with this, well at least the part to avoid it but more to do with the little one. If you have a pram etc it can be very tight in there and parking is a bit of a pain but that can be the same for most places so I wouldn't worry about that too much if you're parking in one of the big lots.

Park at Grand Parade if looking for easy access as only a few minutes walk away.

Ludo

Ah the usual Cornstore discussion is back. Never had a bad meal there myself I must say. But it ain't "cool" to like a large chain restaurant so it always gets a knocking here.

I tend not to go back to a place after I get a bad meal there. Have been to Cornstore a few times now and would still go back. I find it very similar to Market Lane which gets rave reviews always.

rob316

Ludo wrote: »

Ah the usual Cornstore discussion is back. Never had a bad meal there myself I must say. But it ain't "cool" to like a large chain restaurant so it always gets a knocking here.

I tend not to go back to a place after I get a bad meal there. Have been to Cornstore a few times now and would still go back. I find it very similar to Market Lane which gets rave reviews always.

Ya I've been to the Cornstore twice, couldn't knock it to be honest. Maybe I was just lucky.

limnam

Anderson is not punishing mvg enough when he starts slowy on his own throw.

pitty

nerwen

Not been a big fan of the Cornstore food (though only been twice!), but their cocktails are absolutely smashing, highly recommend!

Rhinohippo

nerwen wrote: »

Not been a big fan of the Cornstore food (though only been twice!), but their cocktails are absolutely smashing, highly recommend!

The first few times I went to the Cornstore I was really impressed but the last two times, it was average.

nerwen

Rhinohippo wrote: »

The first few times I went to the Cornstore I was really impressed but the last two times, it was average.

The food or the drinks?

the beer revolu

Ludo wrote: »

Ah the usual Cornstore discussion is back. Never had a bad meal there myself I must say. But it ain't "cool" to like a large chain restaurant so it always gets a knocking here.

I tend not to go back to a place after I get a bad meal there. Have been to Cornstore a few times now and would still go back. I find it very similar to Market Lane which gets rave reviews always.

I really hate this kinda bullsh1t.
The idea that if people don't like somewhere that you do, then they're just sheep trying to act cool.

Same kinda bullsh1t comes up over Ramen. I dislike Ramen because of the really cheap ingredients, the lack of care with which the food is put together and the bland flavour. Oh, but I'm dead cool!

Give it a rest, have confidence in your own opinions and respect other people's.

BTW I haven't been to Cornstore in several years but the last meal I had there was good.

Nonoperational

the beer revolu wrote: »

I really hate this kinda bullsh1t.
The idea that if people don't like somewhere that you do, then they're just sheep trying to act cool.

Same kinda bullsh1t comes up over Ramen. I dislike Ramen because of the really cheap ingredients, the lack of care with which the food is put together and the bland flavour. Oh, but I'm dead cool!

Give it a rest, have confidence in your own opinions and respect other people's.

BTW I haven't been to Cornstore in several years but the last meal I had there was good.

It's not that though. I like the Pad Thai in Ramen, I though that Ramen Pad Thai was better than Chilli Padi, and I got a world of nonsense telling me how I am wrong. It's opinion, it works both ways.

the beer revolu

Nonoperational wrote: »

It's not that though. I like the Pad Thai in Ramen, I though that Ramen Pad Thai was better than Chilli Padi, and I got a world of nonsense telling me how I am wrong. It's opinion, it works both ways.

There's a different between people disagreeing with your opinion as opposed to trying to insist that you are forming the opinion just to be fashionable/cool/hipster/etc.

While many might think you were wrong, I bet no one insinuated that your opinion was made up for populist reasons.

Nonoperational

Ramen is flying anyway. Still love the Pad Thai.

D'Agger

Ramen Kao Phad with extra chicken (because the extra euro is worth it - they're scanty with meat portions imo) is top notch, not much on the menu stands out to me however.

SteelyDanJalapeno

Ramen is very good, the 6b46 is great value.

.red.

D'Agger wrote: »

Ramen Kao Phad with extra chicken (because the extra euro is worth it - they're scanty with meat portions imo) is top notch, not much on the menu stands out to me however.

Never knew about this. The lack of meat in the dish is ridiculous.
Ramen is very hit and miss tho. Got the rendang one day on the 6 before 6 deal and it was one of the nicest "curry" dishes I'd ever had. Went back another day and paid full whack and it was like they spilled a whole jar of salt into it. It was disgusting. I'd have returned it if I'd been eating there but it was takeaway and went in the bin.
The pad Thai is really good. Got it a few times and its never disappointed me.

sporina

this thread is really more of a "restaurant review" thread as oppose to "restaurant recommend" thread - mod's i think you should change - maybe have two - but at the moment - if someone was looking for a recommendation, I think it would be a challenge for them to navigate

rob316

sporina wrote: »

this thread is really more of a "restaurant review" thread as oppose to "restaurant recommend" thread - mod's i think you should change - maybe have two - but at the moment - if someone was looking for a recommendation, I think it would be a challenge for them to navigate

Lets not be pedantic and just call it Restaurant Discussion Thread or just leave it, who really cares.

sporina

rob316 wrote: »

Lets not be pedantic and just call it Restaurant Discussion Thread or just leave it, who really cares.

well i think someone will are - ie if someone is looking for a restaurant recommendation and they come to this thread but find that they have to wade through all the arguments etc then its not so useful to them.. just my thoughts on it - it does not do what it says on the tin

bee06

sporina wrote: »

well i think someone will are - ie if someone is looking for a restaurant recommendation and they come to this thread but find that they have to wade through all the arguments etc then its not so useful to them.. just my thoughts on it - it does not do what it says on the tin

Usually people looking for recommendations ask on the thread and people respond.

sporina

bee06 wrote: »

Usually people looking for recommendations ask on the thread and people respond.

yeah i get ya - but more often than not, the responses turn into a discussion thus leaving the person looking for the recommendation none the wiser...
i am just saying that there might be scope for more than one thread here

renov8

Any chatter about Aroi? I was waiting months for them to reopen then saw their twitter saying they were not reopening Weird cause I passed there a few times and saw a lot of activity.

the beer revolu

renov8 wrote: »

Any chatter about Aroi? I was waiting months for them to reopen then saw their twitter saying they were not reopening Weird cause I passed there a few times and saw a lot of activity.

Work appears to have stopped

D'Agger

sporina wrote: »

yeah i get ya - but more often than not, the responses turn into a discussion thus leaving the person looking for the recommendation none the wiser...
i am just saying that there might be scope for more than one thread here

Mods? Perhaps a discussion thread for a sticky post for top recommendations coming out of this thread with categories such as:

Breakfast / Brunch
Quick Bites
Lunch
Early Bird / Dinner
High End Dinner

Or is that opening a can of worms?

MyPeopleDrankTheSoup

got a takeaway from quinlan's seafood. was alright but very expensive for what i got. and they forgot the chips from my cod and chips!





those prawns, 2 slices of bread and cup of salad was €13! crazy price, but still tasted good. cod and mushy peas were nice. should have went back about the chips but lazy. cod and 'chips' were €11. is that pricey? i think it is

still think holy smoke is the best place in Cork right now. that platter is delish, pulled pork was nicer than burnt ends this time. and bonemarrow mash as good as ever.

flat iron steak was great as well. as good as elbow lane. bit pricey for the size of it, €13, but you gotta pay for quality and this was.

pwurple

Do you find the stuff gets cold very fast on those metal trays in holy smoke. Maybe I don't eat fast enough!

I never got a takeaway from quinlans, so I have to ask what is on those prawns? They are swimming in it.

No need for spliting thread into recommendation categories surely... other ratings websites do that. This place has the personal touch. sure places change like lightening at the moment. I would have been recommending Zamora up til it closed, and augustines, and aroi. Gone gone gone.

And there are loads of new places planned in the next few months.

MyPeopleDrankTheSoup

pwurple wrote: »

Do you find the stuff gets cold very fast on those metal trays in holy smoke. Maybe I don't eat fast enough!

i eat faster than anyone i know so never noticed

pwurple wrote: »

I never got a takeaway from quinlans, so I have to ask what is on those prawns? They are swimming in it.

that's the garlic butter i presume. tasty enough, especially soaking up with the bread. but not worth €13 unless prawn prices have skyrocketed

D'Agger

pwurple wrote: »

No need for spliting thread into recommendation categories surely... other ratings websites do that. This place has the personal touch. sure places change like lightening at the moment. I would have been recommending Zamora up til it closed, and augustines, and aroi. Gone gone gone.

I'm talking about for the sticky i.e. first post - make it easier for newbies to consult, just a thought

SteelyDanJalapeno

Anybody know when Boojum is opening?