Top 10 Irish Restaurants (that spidey visited in a week )

[SHANNONSIDER]

@Fagan ODowd

The Gresham is very down at heel now and Toddy’s Bar is a dump.

+1 Very tatty and nothing really to recommend it nowadays. Not the place it was. Also they could have done more to protect Cathal Brugha that time.

[Spidey]

@Mac

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.

Off to Koh tonight in Jervis Way. Was there once before with a group where we just ordered loads and dishes and mixed and mashed which isn’t my bag although remembver the Tom Yam Goong soup being sensational.

[KIB_man]

@turfcutter

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

Cullinans is that one I think. Black Oak not far from Barratra was decent but havent been there in a few years and I think the place has changed hands since.

whats linnanes in new quay like turfcutter? watched a programme years ago on rte that showed their lobsters being exported to japan I think it was. have been meaning to go since but never got around to it

What brought you down to Carrigholt chewy? Think that is where O’Curry GAA club are based. pretty remote down there

[Big_Dan_Campbell]

@KIB man

What brought you down to Carrigholt chewy? Think that is where O’Curry GAA club are based. pretty remote down there

Relations have holiday homes in Kilkee and often had to go down there when I was younger, was never gone on Kilkee but always liked Carrigaholt/The Long Dock

[turfcutter]

@chewy louie

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

did they open a place at the cliffs of moher ?? had a nice dinner down there myself

@Kinvara

Cullinans is that one I think. Black Oak not far from Barratra was decent but havent been there in a few years and I think the place has changed hands since.

whats linnanes in new quay like turfcutter? watched a programme years ago on rte that showed their lobsters being exported to japan I think it was. have been meaning to go since but never got around to it

What brought you down to Carrigholt chewy? Think that is where O’Curry GAA club are based. pretty remote down there

See KP about Linnanes KIB man

What brought him down to carrighhol ?? a woman, I told ye here his mother was upset about it too as she was from Quility

[dancarter]

@Mac

Ah here, 1 months maybe

One month if you have a ban of kids maybe. 125 per head with matching wines! Nice! Supposed to be unreal alright all the positive reviews here men il be visiting shortly. Was it busy Mac?

Few of my favourites at the minute.

Pinocchio in Ranelagh, shit location under the luas station but savage Italian food for reasonable price

Had dinner in San lorenzo on George’s St last wk very very good.

[KinvarasPassion]

@turfcutter

Is Linnanes worth a vist KP ???,

I wouldnt rule out a visit based on my experience TC. But I used to go there especially for the fish cakes and I was pissed off when they arrived out half the size they used to be.

The crowd that ran Morans The Weir are now running it. They have kept a similar menu. Hard to get a seat there around lunchtime on a sunday and I dont think they take bookings during the daytime.

An Fulacht Fia does a decent menu and fair play to the proprietor for doing a bit of waiting but it dont really suit him!

[Bisto]

anyone eaten in Dylan Mcgraths place that got robbed on george´s street last week - Rustic Stone ?..whats the nosh like?

[Thrawneen]

@scumpot

anyone eaten in Dylan Mcgraths place that got robbed on george´s street last week - Rustic Stone ?..whats the nosh like?

My pal was there and said it was pretty good. The crooks took 10 large so the place must be doing very very nicely.

[Bisto]

@Thrawneen

My pal was there and said it was pretty good. The crooks took 10 large so the place must be doing very very nicely.

i saw that alright…might pop in for a taste over weekend…

[Fagan_ODowd]

I have had lunch there scum pot. Unusual menu but food was lovely.

[Bisto]

@Fagan ODowd

I have had lunch there scum pot. Unusual menu but food was lovely.

menu is quirky alright…

[Spidey]

It’s steak on a stone with a twist for near double the price. Check out San Lorenzo across the road - you will not be disappointed.

[Fran]

@Mac

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.

:licklips:

Fantastic post.

Can’t believe I hadn’t spotted this until now

[The_Runt]

TWO more of Ireland’s restaurants are to receive a coveted Michelin star.
The ranking system for the world’s best restaurants was scheduled to be published next week – but briefly appeared on the website yesterday morning by mistake.
It was revealed that Locks Brasserie in Dublin and Aniar in Galway have been awarded a one-star rating by the Michelin guide.

Anyone eaten in either of these?

[Thrawneen]

@The Runt

Anyone eaten in either of these?

The missus ate in the Locks last Sunday. She said it was excellent. If you go at the weekend you get the added bonus of being able to watch poor people drinking cans on the bench outside beside the canal.

[KIB_man]

Flying Fish, Pyrmont

Very good

[Horsebox]

@Spidey

It’s steak on a stone with a twist for near double the price. Check out San Lorenzo across the road - you will not be disappointed.

What this man said. Steak on a stone and €6 for 5 chips-nice enough food but overrated. Not Top 10 but Juniors on Bath Avenue is pretty good for reasonable prices. They’ve also opened a Pizzeria around the corner that does very good pizzas. The best thing about the place though is that there is nearly always Leinster players there so you can go up to them and mouth off in person the same way you can here but more in their face like.

[myboyblue]

[quote=“Horsebox, post: 160027”]

What this man said. Steak on a stone and €6 for 5 chips-nice enough food but overrated. Not Top 10 but Juniors on Bath Avenue is pretty good for reasonable prices. They’ve also opened a Pizzeria around the corner that does very good pizzas. The best thing about the place though is that there is nearly always Leinster players there so you can go up to them and mouth off in person the same way you can here but more in their face like.[/quote]
:rolleyes: I get the feeling the only mouthing off you would do to a Leinster Rugby player would involve you dropping to your knees.

[tallback]

@myboyblue

:rolleyes: I get the feeling the only mouthing off you would do to a Leinster Rugby player would involve you dropping to your knees.

Whoosh …