[quote=“Mac, post: 159989”]
What about The Gresham?[/quote]
The Gresham is a fine place to sit for an evening drink by the window and watch the world pass by - or at least a particular socioeconomic class.
I’d agree with that. Barely 5 mins walk from Chapter One as well. Not a whole lot else in the area though. Although I hear the Parnell Mooney is under new ownership :ph34r:
The Gresham is very down at heel now and Toddy’s Bar is a dump.
I dined in Chapter One last night at the Chefs Table. A tremendous experience. Would highly recommend it despite the outrageous price of it. I also had a drink in the Gresham before & after it. Toddys Bar selling 3 bottles of beer for a tenner does bring down the tone of the place so I’ll admit Fagan was correct on that. The other bar was ok though.
More detail please Mac. What class of fare was presented for the devourations?
Who paid for it?
[quote=“Mac, post: 159993”]
I dined in Chapter One last night at the Chefs Table. A tremendous experience. Would highly recommend it despite the outrageous price of it. I also had a drink in the Gresham before & after it. Toddys Bar selling 3 bottles of beer for a tenner does bring down the tone of the place so I’ll admit Fagan was correct on that. The other bar was ok though.
[/quote]Farmer will accuse you of being loaded and you only keeping the economy going.
the owner and his family could do with a crash course in customer service. I was there when I was back in Ireland. Absolute and utter shite. I can almost guarantee that the waitress in question was his daughter.
Where in Lahinch do ya reckon? Have heard good things about the wild honey place but the parents were there and didnt think much of it. The chef that used be in Doonbeg Golf Club is up there isnt he?
Sheedy’s in Lisdoon has been very good the couple of times I was there. They are only open during the summer though I think.
Where to start Juhy - Mrs Mac & myself brought our parents out for the meal. We all ate from the special tasting menu that they offer.
First course was a Creamed tapioca with fresh peas, black garlic and aged Cratloe Hills something or other. A strange dish that was possibly a bit too cheesy for me but went down well with everyone. It was accompanied by an Italian white - Cai dei Frati which was very light and similar to a nice sauvignon. Mrs Mac had the mushroom consomme which was also very good.
Next was a Crab salad with cucumber and salted watermelon & pickled Atlantic seaweed. Another strange combination that worked quite well. I wouldn’t be mad on crab but this was very nice. Seaweed was a strange addition but again, it was good. The wine was an Austrian white, Graf Joseph. Never drank Austrian wine before but this was really nice & crisp.
The next course was Quail glazed with truffled honey & mustard, celeriac gratin & marinated mushrooms. Again, I’d never had quail before but it was tasty. It was accompanied by a French white, Chateau de Navailles - don’t remember much about this wine.
The fish course was Red Mullet cooked over charcoal with spring vegetables cooked en papillote, shellfish and sorrel. It had a smoked flavour to it which I’m not usually a fan of but I’d happily eat this again & again. Very tasty & cooked to perfection. Mrs Mac had John Dory instead which I had a bit of and that was really nice as well. The wine was another french white but a chardonnay this time - Domaine des Nembrets.
The main meat course was a rarebreed pork plate with parsley creamed barley and carrotts, pickled thistle, black pudding and smoked aioli. By this stage I was getting full but was glad I had enough room for this. There were 2 types of pork served, pork belly & I can’t remember the other one. Both very tasty. It was served with a New Zealand Red, Stoneleigh. Most of the party wouldn’t be big red drinkers so I had a bit more of this which probably contributed to the thumping head I have on me this morning.
They followed this with a champangne (I think) sorbet served in a small biscuit flavoured cone.
The main dessert was Valrhona ‘Guanaja 70%’ chocolate souffle with passion fruit ice-cream. This was one of the nicest desserts I’ve ever eaten. The wine was a red dessert wine, Domaine du Mas. All I remember is that it was sweet & nice.
Tea & Coffees were offered, I politely declined & had a sambuca along with Mrs Macs parents. Mrs Mac had a Baileys Coffee while my own parents had a coffee. A plate of freshly cooked Petit Fours was given to us to accompany the drinks.
It was an expensive meal but something I’d recommend to everyone to do just once for a special occasion. The restaurant is an absolute gem. We were greeted by Martin who told us the history of the building and its surroundings (I’d heard this before by my parents hadn’t). Before each course the chef (& I think owner) Ross, came to the table to talk us through what we had & why he was trying certain combinations etc. We had our own personal waiter at the table for the night whose name I can’t remember but he was also excellent. It’s very rare for a restaurant that’s this fancy to make normal customers feel so comfortable. There’s no air of arrogance or hoity toity (sp) shite about it that I would assume you get in similar establishments.
The chefs table itself is situated in the kitchen so you see them preparing all the meals. The one thing we all remarked was how calm & relaxed it was. I could only sum it up by saying it was the best dining experience I’ve ever had. Nothing I could fault with it.
Mrs Mac sounds like a very fussy eater. FFS, what was wrong with what everyone else was having?
:lol:
Martin is a great host and that rare breed pork plate is one of the nicest things you’ll ever eat.
Recession me h0le…
Mac blows 2 months dole in one evening meal.
[quote name=‘Kinvara’s Passion’ timestamp=‘1337344816’ post=‘626482’]
Recession me h0le…
Mac blows 2 months dole in one evening meal.
[/quote]
:mad: He must have won big on the two scratch cards I put in his wedding card.
[quote name=‘Kinvara’s Passion’ timestamp=‘1337344816’ post=‘626482’]
Recession me h0le…
Mac blows 2 months dole in one evening meal.
[/quote]
The likes of Mac who are prepared to spend a few bob and keep good people in work are to be applauded.
Fagan, I am not knocking him… I am only pissed off that I cant get a booking for a friday night I will be in Dublin in July. 
[quote name=‘Kinvara’s Passion’ timestamp=‘1337344816’ post=‘626482’]
Recession me h0le…
Mac blows 2 months dole in one evening meal.
[/quote]
Ah here, 1 months maybe
KIB man played soccer in Clare I see V Moher Celtic too or perhaps for them as some Quilty lads do the fat lad behind the bar in Vaughan’s is the owners son and one ignorant bollocks either behind a counter or on a side line. Vaughan’s is very over rated and very expensive for what you get but most places in Lahinch, Liscannor and Doolin are poor and over priced
Vaughan’s pub in Kilfenora isn’t bad in fairness
Wild honey in very good, hotel in doolin not bad and the pink restaurant across for it is excellent but very expensive, sheedys is a bit over rated in my opinion, place there on there on the way to miltown from lahinch bar tra is excellent too but expensive haven’t been in a while.
Pier head in Kinvara excellent too
While not really fine dining I always had a soft spot for The Long Dock in Carrigaholt, although it must be a good 4 or 5 years since I was there
Monks is gone to fcuk too… Lord jesus.
Pier Head is good but expensive.
Linnanes is under new management and the size of the Fish Cakes has nearly halved since they took over. Fcuk Off :guns: