Originally posted by Raoul Duke III
View Post
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
The Restaurant Review Thread
Collapse
This is a sticky topic.
X
X
-
Originally posted by The Aul Switcharoo View PostI'm in. Nothing like 16 hour shifts. Had a couple f breaks where I tipped around in here but didn't notice the thread
I've given your seat to Keane so you are now on the reserve list."We are not Europeans. Those people on the continent are freaks."
Comment
-
Guest
-
Originally posted by zuutroy View PostBon Crubeen is close and OK without being great. Decent value.No beast so fierce but knows some touch of pity, but I know none, therefore am no beast.
Comment
-
Not worth a full review as it's been done several times before but was in Chapter One at the weekend.
We had opted for the Pre Theatre menu as we were meeting friends afterwards. Food was fantastic, no complaints there but the whole dinner was ridiculously rushed. Now I know that you are on a time limit with pre theatre but this was way over board. Thought the service overall was a bit iffy, was quite surprised.
Comment
-
Originally posted by Lao Lao View PostNot worth a full review as it's been done several times before but was in Chapter One at the weekend.
We had opted for the Pre Theatre menu as we were meeting friends afterwards. Food was fantastic, no complaints there but the whole dinner was ridiculously rushed. Now I know that you are on a time limit with pre theatre but this was way over board. Thought the service overall was a bit iffy, was quite surprised.
#ProTip."We are not Europeans. Those people on the continent are freaks."
Comment
-
Guest
Originally posted by GimmeabreakNoticed this place advertising in The Phoenix Mag
Fire & Salt - http://www.thejohnstownestate.com/Fi...estaurant.html
Location is very bloody isolated but accessible all the same. Opens in the next week or so. Il put it on the list as i tend to use that hotel a bit for meetings.
* IMO and all but
1) Salt is salt, rock salt has a texture but salt is salt!
2) For all their speel about Irish products, they should be using Irish Sea Salt (or the likes) as part of their patter, Himalayan Rock stands out whereas Irish salt would fit their USP
Comment
-
Location: One Pico
website: http://www.onepico.com/home.php
Price Range: (from 1 to 5 €€€€€) €€€€
Last week was myself and Mrs Lao Lao's 3rd anniversary. For the last two years, I've managed to surprise her with dinner through some mischievous plotting. This year, the antics were increased and involved getting my best mate set up a fake poker night in his house and her best mate from work organise a work night out for all the girls in work as they didn't manage to get out before Christmas. These two events just happened to be taking place on the same night, last Saturday I even went to the effort of going out to the off license and buying beer to bring to the poker night.
She headed of to a Pilates class and I headed off to the poker night, when in reality I went and watched the second half of the Spurs/Man City game before heading around to the Library Bar in the Central Hotel and waited for her to arrive to "meet the girls"
For the third year in a row, she fell for it - Hook, line and sinker. I'm probably not painting her in a great light. I mean, how do you fall for the same thing, three years in a row at the same time of the year each year, albeit, the ruse has been different each time. She's actually very intelligent and it is 100% down to my ability to be totally devious.
Her initial reaction was a predictable and common one - She repeatedly called me a dickhead, over and over again. Thankfully, I had a G&T waiting for her on her arrival which meant, she couldn't call me a dickhead while she was sipping it but she did call me a dickhead several times in between each sip! We had the pleasure of having Mary Lou McDonald sit across from us in a lovely green guna and while I was tempted to grill her on a few political issues, I thought winding up one woman a night was enough to handle
When we finished our drinks, we headed towards the restaurant with me being the only person out of the two of us who knew where we were going. I led her on a merry dance (as I have in previous years) around a few different restaurants but once we turned onto Molesworth St, the game was up, she knew we were headed to One Pico.
When we arrived, we opted to have a glass of Pressco each while waiting for our table which was ready within a few minutes. The setting of the restaurant is very nice, tables are nicely spaced out and it's a very calm/relaxed atmosphere, it's a very pleasant space
After having some home made bread, we ordered wine (Pouilly Fume de Ladoucette 2006 @ €86) I've said it before and I'll say it again but this is the best white wine there is.
For starters, I had St Tola Goats Cheese, Burnt & Pickled Apple, Walnuts, Apple Meringue while herself had the Chicken Liver & Foie Gras Parfait, Rhubarb, Vanilla, Warm Brioche. The goats cheese was nice and light and I really like the contrast between the texture of the cheese and the meringue and the walnuts really added to it. I had a small bit of the parfait and it tasted good.
For mains, I opted for Thornhill Duck, Foie Gras, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Truffle while she had Hake, Young Leeks, Pumpkin Risotto, Mussels. We also ordered a side portion of baby potatoes with 36 month aged parmesan & tender stem broccoli with warm bacon mayonnaise. The duck was rarer than I would ever cook it but it was excellent. I had a sliver of the hake and the risotto and it was really, really good. I almost had some food envy.
For desert, herself decided to go with the Caramelised Passion Fruit Tart, Mango Sorbet, Coconut Meringue while I had Valrhona Chocolate Namelaka, Salted Caramel, Hazelnuts. The fruit tart was very refreshing and I enjoyed the bit I got to taste but I was very happy with my choice and scoffed it down in no time.
The staff were very friendly throughout and help maintained the relaxed vibe of the restaurant.
Total bill inc tip was €269. Was a very good night and thoroughly enjoyed it.
From there, we headed over to VCC in Temple Bar where we had a table booked but as we were over an hour late, they had given it away so we had a drink at the bar and managed to get a table after about 20 minutes and sat contently sipping cocktails into the early hours of the morning. In the back of my head, I was thinking, there is no way I can trick her 4 years in a row, is there???...
Comment
-
Some recommendations please.
My friend's wife is 40 in July, he wants to organise dinner for 20 people as a surprise party.
Budget is in and around €75 pp max, but ideally he'd like to be spending c€50.
He's enquired with Shanahans so far but looking for other options.I hold silver in tit for tat, and I love you for that
Comment
-
Originally posted by Gimmeabreak> If he wants steak then FXB Pembroke might be ideal and will fall into that price point depending on wine choices. Id suspect they can give you one section of the upstairs to fit your needs.
Comment
-
Getting some good recommendations there Lazare but one more for the mix is Keshk on the canal at Mespil road. Set menus are around 25-30 and it's byob. Get a big table downstairs for 20+ no problem. Great food and fun.
FXB Pembroke will give you an area upstairs but service can be hit and miss unless you go early in the evening.Last edited by V for Vendetta; 02-02-17, 19:25.‘IF YOU had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you.” Genghis Khan
Comment
-
Originally posted by V for Vendetta View PostGetting some good recommendations there Lazare but one more for the mix is Keshk on the canal at Mespil road. Set menus are around 25-30 and it's byob. Get a big table downstairs for 20+ no problem. Great food and fun.
FXB Pembroke will give you an area upstairs but service can be hit and miss unless you go early in the evening.
Comment
-
Originally posted by NewApproach View PostToo late but for future reference, Thai Spice just off the Connolly end of Talbot St is superb if you're into Thai food.
We ordered 2x noodles, massaman and green curries. They were delicious, really great. They charged the same for tofu as for meat which is unusual. Usually we get the pleasure of paying less. They were served to us in 5 minutes and we were out the door at 5:55. Came to €32. Will definitely be back.
Comment
-
Maharaja of India
19A Charing Cross Rd, That London
Went to Gordons wine bar Villiers St for a pre meal drink which featured on Conor Woodmans Sin Cities the pickpocketing London Episode. Nice spot if empty with the victorian cellars below in the basement but absolutely packed inside so sat outside area amongst barrels and seats railing a park. Went to Leicester Square to in search of food but despite the hunger getting the better of us shunned most of the touristy restaurants around the main section, they were either packed or sold a cheap eat 2-course with no choice type thing. Settled on an Indian place around the corner where the lads were after the quick order at a high paced level, just a bit pushy but nothing a couple of blokes cant handle.
We were seated and quickly asked how many popadoms we wanted when we ordered a drink first. The service was a bit pushy if you let it and I had already spied they are 1 pound each but in Ireland you get the initial amount complimentary so took this as a bit of an afront without letting him see my displeasure. So when he pre empted 2 i said none which took him aback like he couldnt quite believe this. We were then asked were we ready to order too soon by someone else as they seemed to take it in turns and from different angles to ask this and that but stood them down further for more time to choose. I changed my mind about the popadom when the drinks arrived and ordered 1 initially then then 2 more just to let them know i was controlling the popadom pace and not them. So we established an order that was understood and they settled down a bit more after that. You dont go to Indian restaurants for the service and i think there is a big cultural difference which i account for and usually by nites end everyone is usually getting along fine.
They put us in the middle of a row of empty 2 seaters when about 12 French/Arabic collegiate looking fellows of mixed gender came in for a booking before we overheard a hubub of misunderstanding as the staff didnt realise there was 12 of them booked in but the group spokesman was adamant the number was stated during the booking. This put us in the picture as we were in the middle of the only area that could seat 12 together. Typical Irish we see and hear everything and say nothing but we were ready.
One of the more robust senior staff tried splitting them but they werent having it. Soon enough after a bit of a confab amongst staff i get the tap on the shoulder by a young lower order batsman who stood with a grovelling gait(just the perfect type to appeal to a customers better nature) as he tried to explain in a long winded apologetic way hed like to move us up to the next level without quite putting the words together. The top of the order were looking on from behind their silver salvers at their young fledgling sent to bat. They sent him after losing the initiative during the poppadom episode. I stood and put my hand on his shoulder and repeated what I think he was trying to ask us that hed like for us to move to other seats but before letting him answer quickly adding ''Were here to help!'' as im not sure he had much left in him and with that there was merriment as the silver salvers moved in briskly to help with the plates and fresh linen and several more popadoms and chutney were produced as if like magic as we were whisked through the guard of honour of French fellows none of which made eye contact but were doubtless greatfull of the concession.
The brother got the butter chicken and i got the worst of it going for the Achari Murgh which was lovely but just way hotter than i had anticipated so didnt go down as easy of course but both were top notch. Lovely pink and yellows from the rice too and despite passing on a starter struggled to finish mine. Ive kind of gone away from starters recently because i hate the feeling of having eaten too much and rolling out of a restaurant stuffed whereas having just the mains your nicely full and ready to meet and greet the staff at the next place your ready to inflict yourself upon.
SPOILER
Comment
-
Originally posted by Tar.Aldarion View Post101 talbot
Comment
-
Originally posted by zuutroy View PostBon Crubeen is close and OK without being great. Decent value.
Comment
-
Pro tip for above is always specify your spice when ordering food at a place like that, and realise that what they call medium is your hot.
Originally posted by careca View PostThanks for the recommendation Tar, ate there last night, very enjoyable. Food was very good and the price was exceptional at €29 for 3 courses. Wine was a bit dear (maybe its just me?) at €38 for a standard Malbec but overall very good value. I'll be back.
Was just back in Sligo for a funeral and things have certainly changed since I was there, Sweet Beat is a great cafe I tried. There were barely any vegetarian options on any menu until recently, and now there are vegan places etc. Was so many new restaurants as I wandered about in general. Warning, high levels of delicious leaves for my lunch there.
Comment
-
People say I should be more humble I hope they understand, they don't listen when you mumble
Get a shiny metal Revolut card! And a free tenner!
https://revolut.com/referral/jamesb8!G10D21
Comment
-
Residence St. Stephens Green
This is a bit of an odd review but I'm throwing it up as it might be a good alternative for an IPB night out. I'm well overdue to attend one as I've missed the last two...
Last night I hosted a dinner at Residence on behalf of my company. We booked the smallest room they have which seats 14 people comfortably around a large square table.
We were greeted warmly by the staff and left to mingle at the bar with attentive but unobtrusive drinks service. We then had a very decent 3 course meal.
I had a salmon and prawn starter, fillet of beef main and a creme brulee desert. It was a set menu with 3 choices for starter, mains and desert and everyone seemed to enjoy their grub. Not a very adventurous menu but tasty and well cooked. My medium rare fillet of steak was spot on. Here's the broader menu details here.
Service was excellent and we had two speakers during the course of the evening (someone had to sing for their supper) and they worked around this well. It was a little bit noisy outside the room at one point due to another large party arriving but not a big deal imo. Certainly not for an IPB night out!
We had lots of red and white wine served. At least 6 bottles. I didn't order the wine (or drink it obv) but it seemed to be enjoyed by those who knew their wine and they have a large wine menu.
The total cost for 14 people including service and earlier drinks was €1360 which I thought was excellent value at less than €100 per head.
Anyway if we can't get the Vintage kitchen or are looking for something a bit different it's a decent spot. 4/5 stars for me for a group gathering.‘IF YOU had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you.” Genghis Khan
Comment
-
Originally posted by V for Vendetta View PostThis is a bit of an odd review but I'm throwing it up as it might be a good alternative for an IPB night out. I'm well overdue to attend one as I've missed the last two...
Last night I hosted a dinner at Residence on behalf of my company. We booked the smallest room they have which seats 14 people comfortably around a large square table.
We were greeted warmly by the staff and left to mingle at the bar with attentive but unobtrusive drinks service. We then had a very decent 3 course meal.
I had a salmon and prawn starter, fillet of beef main and a creme brulee desert. It was a set menu with 3 choices for starter, mains and desert and everyone seemed to enjoy their grub. Not a very adventurous menu but tasty and well cooked. My medium rare fillet of steak was spot on. Here's the broader menu details here.
Service was excellent and we had two speakers during the course of the evening (someone had to sing for their supper) and they worked around this well. It was a little bit noisy outside the room at one point due to another large party arriving but not a big deal imo. Certainly not for an IPB night out!
We had lots of red and white wine served. At least 6 bottles. I didn't order the wine (or drink it obv) but it seemed to be enjoyed by those who knew their wine and they have a large wine menu.
The total cost for 14 people including service and earlier drinks was €1360 which I thought was excellent value at less than €100 per head.
Anyway if we can't get the Vintage kitchen or are looking for something a bit different it's a decent spot. 4/5 stars for me for a group gathering.
Comment
-
Originally posted by GimmeabreakI am pretty sure it has been mentioned here before but I made my maiden voyage to Pho Viet this evening. It was a thing of beauty. Il be back pretty soon."We are not Europeans. Those people on the continent are freaks."
Comment
-
Avalon (above Donnybrook Fair) has been taken over by Sheerin Wilde (formerly of the Wild Goose) about 12 months ago (maybe longer)
Food has come leaps and bounds from the former Donnybrook Fair restaurant.
I haven't been in for dinner yet but yesterday was the second time in a few months I was in for lunch.
Two courses for 22 Euro is exceptional value for the quality of the food.
The dinner menu does look to be pricer but will give it a try soon.
Comment
-
Visited Luna in Dublin (Drury St. beside The Hairy Lemon) for a birthday treat this evening and would recommend.
Unusual basement room apparently based on 60s American-Italiana, all booths and oak and velour and bow ties and Campari. Quite interesting with an open kitchen and fantastic bathrooms.
Bar is limited to the aforementioned Italian aperitif, wine and gin.
Menu is in Italian and the waiter goes through it all and translates. Worked well, maybe because we had a middle-aged Italian walk us through it. Maybe less so if you had one of the young Irish dudes do it, i dunno.
We had beef carpaccio, poached egg with mushrooms and parmesan, lobster linguine and halibut with artichoke - all done in a modern rather than classic way.
Two chocolate deserts, a bottle of wine, two gins, a coffee and a limoncello topped things off at e200.
The atmosphere was great, really buzzy with something of a sophisticated supper club feel, albeit a little bit tongue in cheek.
The staff were helpful, efficient and dapper in their luxurious Louis Copeland blazers.
It kinda reminded me a bit of a much cooler (but not hipster) Trocadero.
The pre-theatre menu is e30 per person and I would consider that a bargain particularly if you can get there for 6pm and take your time to enjoy the restaurant whirling into gear around you.Last edited by BennyHiFi; 04-06-17, 00:45.
Comment
-
Originally posted by Gimmeabreakpretty sure I've written a review previously but I was in Restaurant 41 in The Residence last night and it was exceptional. I had Goats Cheese and Beetroot to start and followed with Duck which was exceptional. It's a fantastic place to dine and it has a great setting overlooking Stephens Green.
Comment
-
Hang Dai worth a spin for ethnic and different, cant wait for next visit. Was at a wedding last week and got chatting to one of the guys who took over running of residence recently, nice chap.Low fee Euro/UK money transfer, 1st transfer free through my referral
https://transferwise.com/u/bfa0e
Comment
-
Originally posted by mocata View PostHang Dai worth a spin for ethnic and different, cant wait for next visit.
Originally posted by mocata View PostWas at a wedding last week and got chatting to one of the guys who took over running of residence recently, nice chap
Comment
-
Originally posted by Tar.Aldarion View PostSpeaking of Ethnic, is there anywhere that does Ethiopian food?
I've had it in Africa a few times, really good stewy-type food with bread. Goat does not float my boat though."We are not Europeans. Those people on the continent are freaks."
Comment
-
Originally posted by Tar.Aldarion View PostSpeaking of Ethnic, is there anywhere that does Ethiopian food?Originally posted by Raoul Duke III View PostAddis Ababa.
I've had it in Africa a few times, really good stewy-type food with bread. Goat does not float my boat though.
This bit not so much
There is a place in Islington called mesis kitchen thats famous for its authentic injera dishes, the only time I tried to go I couldn't get a table.
Turning millions into thousands
Comment
-
I had an injera "discovery menu" at an Ethiopian restaurant in Brussels with workmates and we loved it, so looking for more. They also had a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony which was nice, very different than other coffee.
I had reservations that there was anything in Ireland all right, but will be travelling to London soon so will keep an eye out for that, cheers SP.
Good luck on the ethnic hunt here RD
Comment
-
Originally posted by mocata View PostHang Dai worth a spin for ethnic and different, cant wait for next visit. Was at a wedding last week and got chatting to one of the guys who took over running of residence recently, nice chap.
Comment
Comment