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Colm Flynn
Member since: 19 March 2008
Location: South Tipperary
No. of Reviews: 37
Status: Guru
Last Visit: 04 October 2009
Member since: 19 March 2008
Location: South Tipperary
No. of Reviews: 37
Status: Guru
Last Visit: 04 October 2009
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71% |
The HermitagePosted on 12 October 2009
Tried here for Sunday Lunch. It's a bit on the pricey side as Sunday Lunches go but we had visitors so decided to give it a go. I had a game stew and clearly the hunting easn't great because there wasn't much meat. Even allowing for that it was a fairly bland stew. The layout seemed a little like a 1980s B&B with tables fitted into the space rather than the space being designed for tables. They also seemed a little short staffed as the place was busy and service was a lottle slow.
There was nothing really bad about the place. Just for the price there was nothing really right about it either.
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Chart House RestaurantPosted on 21 August 2009
We were staying in dingle for a few days and tried the Chart House as it was close to our hotel and looked good.
First impressions is that it is a bit of a Tardis. Looks tiny outside but inside seems to open up and is very light and airy with more space and height than really seems possible.
The service is quick and efficient and we were regularly asked if everything was OK by a number of waitresses. We commented on the very nice water jugs and as we left at the end the waitress remembered and gave us a leaflet on the local pottery shop where they were made. A nice touch to show we were remembered.
The food was both excellent and awful. The two excellent dishes were a rabbit leg on a vanilla risotto (the nicest risotto I have ever had). The dessert of rhubarb crumble with ginger custard and rosemary ice cream was fantastic. I had never had ginger custard (or ginger creme anglais) and it really works with the rhubarb. It was also served in a tart style pastry which was a clever way to serve an individual portion of crumble. I certainly intend to try and reproduce that sometime at home.
However in between was a hake on a burned disc of sliced potatoes and onions. The burned taste was overpowering and awful. Someone in the kitchen knew they had burned the dish (you couldn't not know) and still decided to serve it. That was very sloppy and knocks at least a star off the food score.
If you exclude that one dish then the experience was very enjoyable. I would go back if only for the risotto.
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Quealy's Bar & RestaurantPosted on 21 August 2009
My wife works in Dungarvan and we have been there every so often but I had an impression that it was a bit of a blackhole for nice places to eat. However we tried Quealy's a couple of Saturday's ago and I was pleasently surprised with the quality of the food.
The front part of Quealys seems to be a pub but at the back there is a small resturant area. I would say is that it could do with a little more lighting. The resturant maintained the dark atmosphere of the pub at the front. Also because it is small there isn't a lot of space between tables if you are wheeling a buggy.
There was a good selection on the Menu and I went for a Penne with goats cheese which was really nice and would be one of the nicest lunches I've had in a while. My wife had the sausages and mash which when it arrived was very tasty BUT initially they messed up our order and gave her a chicken dish instead. It wasn't as if they were busy and confused tables as we seemed to be the only order on the go and the chicken dish was still sitting at the kitchen window when we left. My sister in law had a fish and chips which consisted of nicely battered cod, chunky chips and nice salad. My main complaint was two dishes arrived around 15 minutes before the corrected sausages and mash. That left the experience somewhat disjointed.
On balance I would go back for lunch for the food but I would double check the order after they wrote it down.
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Cahir House HotelPosted on 21 August 2009
Called in here for Sunday Lunch. There was 6 of us plus a baby and we were actually heading for another restaurant when we passed the Cahir House and stopped to read the menu. I had an impression that they only did bar food and didn't expect too much but the menu seemed nice and attracted us in.
It turned out that they still do bar food (which seemed a little chip heavy) but they also have a new "bistro" at the back. Unlike the dark dated bar this is actually a recently renovated light and airy space. They quickly seated us (including a high chair before we even had to ask). Also as we have recently started wheeling a buggy around I have to say the space between the tables was excellent which is rare these days.
The sunday lunch market is normally carvary and the prices were aimed at that market (or maybe a euro more at around €12-13). However here it is al la carte instead of carvary. The food was therefore better than you will get at carvary (i.e. not sitting under a hot light for the past 2 hours). I had Hake which was nice and generously portioned and served with seasonal veg. Other dishes at our table (beef, a pork and a steak sandwich) were also up to that standard. They do starters and desserts but we didn't try those.
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Lemongrass Restaurant - ClonmelPosted on 21 August 2009
Fairly average new Thai resturant. Not much armosphere and the service was efficent even though they were busy. I had a Thai green curry which was tasty enough and was a nice portion.
Can't really fault it but it's just one of those new resturants that you come out of thinking that was OK and then an hour later you would struggle to remember distinctive much about it.
Not sure I would be in a rush back for a night out but it will be added to the Friday night takeaway menus in the drawer in the Kitchen.
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The Briar BoruPosted on 23 July 2009
Was in Cashel a couple of weeks ago and stopped off at the Briar Boru for Lunch. It's a pub grub place. No real atmosphere but that meant it was easy to chat. Service was friendly and quick. I had a Steak Sandwich and my two companions both had salads. The Steak was nicely cooked (medium) and came with sweet fried onions, mushrooms, and side salad. The two salads were fine although the lump of warm goats cheese on one was probably a bit too large for one sitting. It's not fine dining but I'd go back for Lunch.
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Raheen House HotelPosted on 21 July 2009
I had a bad experience here a few years ago when our meal clashed with their disco night and the noise levels were unacceptable. Therefore I had to be convinced when I learned that some friends had booked a meal there. Thankfully there was no loud disco (we were in the other dining room anyway).
The place was quite busy which is a good sign. We had a drink in a bar while we picked out food from the menu and then went into the resturant. As before the food was good. I had Monkfish for the main course which was nice and well cooked. My 5 companions were all happy but at just over €70 per head (3 courses plus a glass of wine and pre-dinner drinks) it's a bit pricey for what you get. I supposed I've moved from intense dislike of the place to a neutral feeling. Perhaps another visit will decide it one way or the other but it would be helpful if they would advise at booking if there is a disco in the function room that night.
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Clongibbon House Balcony RestaurantPosted on 21 July 2009
Stopped off here to break the journey after a trip to Dingle. It is located on the Square in the town and is therefore easy to find but after that it has little going for it. The girl behind the bar was friendly and helpful and prompt to take our orders. So far so good.
However the food itself was a major let down. Dry Lasagne. Bland cod. Both with Chips and a salad made up of chopped peppers and half a tomato. At over €13 for each dish this was a couple of euro above the price you would normally pay in a hotel carvary and wasn't even up to that standard.
I'm not sure if there is anywhere better to eat in Mitchelstown. If not then keep driving.
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Out of the BluePosted on 21 July 2009
Was in Dingle over the weekend and Out ot the Blue was recommended as the best seafood restaurant in town. We called in at 4:30pm but had no problem getting a booking for 8pm.
The place looks like a shed outside but the previous comment about it being a shed inside is very unfair. It has a quirky feel but if you look closely you will see it is actually well constructed and insulated.
I had Chowder for started and my wife had Mussels. The chowder was really nice. A slight Aniseed flavour to it actually worked really well and brought out the flavour of the fish (and I normally hate Aniseed). The mussels were nice but at times the garlic overpowered the flavour of the mussels.
For main course I had Scallops and my wife had Pollock. The Scallops were fantastic. Fresh and perfectly cooked. The mango sauce went well with them. The Pollock was huge and very tasty. The only let down on both dishes was the non-fish aspects. Mixed salad (like you would get out of a bag in the supermarket), grated carrots, two baby potatoes and some boiled broccoli. Nothing wrong with it but really for €27 a bit more thought could have gone into what to serve with the seafood and how to present it.
Still for the seafood aspects alone Out of the Blue is a must on any visit to Dingle.
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Murphy's Ice CreamPosted on 21 July 2009
Was in Dingle on Sunday/Monday and stopped off at the famous Murphy's Ice Cream shop. I have to say it didn't disappoint. One day I had a cone with two types of Sorbet (Raspberry & Mango) and the next day I had ice cream (Baileys and Chocolate Whiskey). The quality is well worth the price. Also they are happy for you to taste lots of flavours before deciding. The staff are friendly and there is one girl behind the counter who is the best Sales person I have ever seen in action. Anyone standing outside the door got called in to try a flavour and always left with a cone and a smile on their face.
If you are going for a meal somewhere skip dessert and go to Murphy’s instead.
My only disappointment. They aren't nationwide.
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Chez HansPosted on 09 February 2009
I ate here last year and was really pleased. My second visit was not as pleasing. It is still good but I think the food standard has slipped. To be honest I didn't think the quality of the food was that much better than the day time cafe even though it was around twice the price. Sure it was presented better but we were all a little disappointed especially at the high price. It is still very good just not quite that 5 star experience from last year. Maybe it was an off day and I would go again. Best way I can describe the visit was not quite living up to expectations. Also a large table with a loud group didn't help the atmosphere.
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Hans CafePosted on 09 February 2009
Cafe Hans is the day time version of the more famous Chez Hans. The food is amond the best cafe food you'll find anywhere. I usually get the steak sandwich. Normally I like to try different things on a menu when I visit a restaurant however I really like the Steak Sandwich. Having seen what my companions eat the standard of other dishes is equally high.
The cafe is just at the base of the Rock of Cashel so if you have worked up an appetite walking around the World Heritage site this should be your destination.
The only problem is the cafe is so busy you will have to wait for a table. They have crammed in as many tables as they can but demand is so high you will have around 15-20 minutes wait to be seated. However don't be tempted to go elsewhere. There is no where within 20 miles up to this standard for Lunch.
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Babylon KebabPosted on 27 January 2009
Typical Kebab joint. Nicer than the traditional fast food joints at the end of a night out but nothing special when sober. It's also a bit out of the way from the town centre. If they moved this into the main street then it would do a roaring trade from 1am on. However it's not good enough to compete in the Saturday night takeaway market.
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The Old ConventPosted on 12 December 2008
Stunning. Absolutely stunning. I have eaten in many good restaurants but this is a strong contender for the best. Lovely old building and a nice welcoming atmosphere but it is the quality of the food that stands out. From the first course (a cone of smoked salmon, mascarpone and fig) they served a stream of top class food. My favourite was the second course of Duck rillette in a beetroot salad.
The only dish of the eight that was not fine dining was the Chocolate Fondue but I get the feeling that this was the only dish where fine dining was not the idea. The idea was good company. Looking at the tables of 4 or more people you could see that it was designed for the after dinner chat as people shared a dish. While the initial reaction when it is put in front of you is “this is a bit of an anticlimax” it actually works very well (assuming you want to talk to the people you are with and if you don’t well that’s not really the fault of the Old Convent).
The only complaint I would have is that the plates were cold. This meant that the small portions of food cooled off very quickly. However it would be very hard to knock off a star for that because even lukewarm the food was delightful.
The best €65 per person (for the 8 courses, wine, tip etc are extra) is supurb value. If this was in France it would have a Michelin star.
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Roma Cafe (Kilkenny)Posted on 04 December 2008
It's a chipper. An OK one but not really a great one. You know the great ones where there is a certain flavour from the chips and/or battered food that hints at a, shall we say, "mature" oil but where a look around the place indicates that hygine and food quality is the top priority. The chips at Roma are just that little bit bland as from fresh tasteless oil. The last time I got chips there was last weekend mainly because I was passing and it was handy more than I really wanted their chips. It's fine but it won't win any awards for it's taste.
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O'Tuama's CafePosted on 04 December 2008
Had a late lunch here on Friday. On balance this was awful. Because it was just after 3pm there were only 2 or 3 other customers. It still took about 15 minutes to get our food. I had a tuna wrap and my wife had some sort of a chicken chili wrap. The Tuna was just about edible but really was soggy and tasteless. Even the 7 (I counted them) crisps on the side were bland.
However the worst was the chicken thing my wife got served up to her. I'm not even sure it was chicken. Kind of looked like it but tasted very strange Tasteless would have been a major improvement for this dish.
These were not complicated dishes. These should have been simple and quick to do right. However clearly there is no interest in serving reasonable food to customers.
I could not be dragged back.
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Hickeys Cafe and BakeryPosted on 13 November 2008
It's a small deli with a few tables and chairs set up in a busy baker's shop. This isn't their core activity and it shows. The deli counter and range is very small. I had a sandwich which was really nothing special. If you're looking for a freshly made sandwich to go then this will do if you're passing. If you're looking for a sit down meal and a chat this isn't the place for you. Also in the interests of fairness their Barnbrack (one of which I took home) is lovely.
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Niamh'sPosted on 17 August 2008
Niamh's is a cafe/deli with decent sandwiches, wraps etc. It's a good (possibly the best in Clonmel) spot for lunch on a workday or while out shopping on a Saturday. It's a bit pricey when you consider that main courses are same price as lunch main courses in some of the better restaurants in the area but sandwiches and wraps are good value.
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Ballymaloe HousePosted on 17 August 2008
We were on holidays in the Shanagarry area and decided to visit the famous Ballymaloe house one evening. It didn't disappoint. I have seen some of the complaints on this site and I think the people are missing the point. The concept at Ballymaole is locally produced, organic, seasonal Irish food. You're not going to get exotic Italian, Thai, Indian etc. What you get is a resturant which takes normally boring Irish food and presents it at it's best. I had the Scallops and Hake. They both came from boats in the nearby ballycotton. They were cooked to perfection.
If you want to experience Irish food at its best then this is the place. It you are looking for Thai-Bangladesh fusion in Ireland in Winter then you are missing the point.
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Planet Spice Indian Restaurant &TakeawayPosted on 12 June 2008
Went there for the Sunday buffet last week. We had heard some good things about the place so decided to try the buffet. We were really disappointed. 4 or 5 small containers of hot food one plate of poppadoms and one plate of naan bread between around 30 people. When food came out it quickly ran out and took about 10 minutes to refill. Even then the food was nothing special and very bland. At €11 per person this may seem good value but it really isn't. The full al la carte evening service may get good reviews but avoid Sunday lunch.
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Copper & Spice RestaurantPosted on 06 April 2008
After watching the munster game yesterday four of us decided to get a bite to eat out in Annacotty. It was 8:30pm and we didn't have a reservation but there was no problem getting a table. The staff were friendly and efficient.
For the main course I had a Duck dish from the "specials" menu. It sounded very tasty but to be honest was nothing special. The sauce was quite bland and the duck very chewy. I was disappointed with it. That said my companions all had more traditional Indian dishes and had no complaints at all. It came to around €35 per head for starter, main and dessert.
I would go back because my companions did enjoy it. I wouldn't order the duck again.
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Freddy's BistroPosted on 06 April 2008
Ate there on Thursday night. It is in an isolated part of the city centre down a lane with no other shops or restaurants and takes a little finding. Fresh mussels for starter were very nice but they should have given a second bowl for the shells.
The Fillet Steak was the best steak I have eaten. Beautifully tender and melt in the mouth.
At €8.95 for the starter, €25.95 for the main and €6.95 for the dessert it is at the upper end of the cost range in Limerick. However it's worth it.
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Quigley'sPosted on 30 March 2008
It is a sandwich/hot snack bar in a busy shopping centre so you're not going to get fine dining or a nice atmosphere. BUT their sandwich rolls. Oh my god. Freshly baked crusty roll with a fantastic choice of fillings. The best roll you will find anywhere.
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Bay Leaf RestaurantPosted on 23 March 2008
If you are looking for somewhere to eat in Clonmel give this place a miss. It is in a garden centre and the garden furniture and building make it feel like eating in one of their run down old green houses which they wouldn't put plants into any more. Food was not good. Overcooked and tasteless.
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Wheelers Grill Room - ClosedPosted on 19 March 2008
Greasy fry truck stop type place. If you are looking for a big fry up at a good price then this is the place. If you are looking to avoid heart disease then maybe not....
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Penz Restaurant - ClosedPosted on 19 March 2008
Excellent food served all day. One problem is they aren't the fastest to set aside 2 hours for lunch.
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Navajo Spur Steakhouse - ClosedPosted on 19 March 2008
A little on the pricey side but is by far the best place to eat in the shopping centre. Steaks, ribs, Fajitas. They are all good. But on busy days you can be waiting a long time for a table.
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Lazy Bean CafePosted on 19 March 2008
Good range of food for a lazy late breakfast. Wraps, fry, salads etc. Only problem it is is a very tight fit with all the tables they squeeze in.
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Kamboat Chinese RestaurantPosted on 19 March 2008
Decent chinese takeaway. Ordered crispy chicken in plum sauce (a safe option but one which many chinese takeaways get wrong (soggy chicken). Enjoyed it and thought it was good value for money. There is a sit down restaurant which I must try.
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The Park HotelPosted on 19 March 2008
I understand there is an al la cart evening restaurant in the hotel but I haven't eaten there. This review is about the carvery lunch in their bar.
As carvery lunches go it's fine. You're not going to get fine dining but you will get food that fills the gap. Also as well as doing typical plain tasteless pub grub they do tend to have the odd curry or Indian dish which is properly spiced and not over cooked as many carveries will do. At €11 per head it is good value for Sunday Lunch.
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Mulcahy's (Clonmel)Posted on 19 March 2008
Ate there last Monday and all four of us were very disappointed. My parents had the Lamb which was tasteless. My wife had the Hake which was deep fried and burnt. And I had the Chicken breast with black pudding in a creamy Irish Whiskey sauce. I had 2 small (1cm by 1cm) pieces of chicken. 4 or 5 similar sized pieces of black pudding. The lack of meat was attempted to be made up for by lots of overly cooked veg in the mix. As for the creamy Irish whiskey sauce. Well milk would be a more accurate description.
Next time if I'm hungry and tempted to go there I'll flip a coin between it and the fast food outlet directly across the road. I couldn't care less which won as the food standard is about the same. At €11 per main course it would have to be cheaper and therefore be better value.
All that said it is hugely popular and always busy on Sundays. I think it is that a lot of people like plain tasteless food and unfortunately that is what they get. Crowd pleasing but plain.
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Mr Bumbles RestaurantPosted on 19 March 2008
Had lunch there just before Christmas and have to say I was disappointed. From the outside it looks good and there are lots of Bridgestone awards on the wall. However inside it was crowded and the food was at best carvery standard. Maybe it was in the run up to Christmas and they were busy so standards slipped but more telling was that as I left I noticed that the majority of the Bridgestone awards were from the late 1990s.
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Befani's Mediterranean & Tapas RestaurantPosted on 19 March 2008
I have only eaten there at lunch time but this is by far the best place in Clonmel for Sunday Lunch. €22 for a 3 course meal or you can get the main only for around €14. In comparison local pubs & hotels offer carvery lunch for around €11 or €12. For just €2-€3 more the standard is supurb.
Last time I was there I had the Gnocci in Lobster sauce. It was excellent. I was part of a group of 6 people and everyone enjoyed their meal.
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Tom Skinnys Pizza ParlourPosted on 19 March 2008
Appalling atmosphere full of screaming squabbling teenagers. Plastic tables and chairs. Cheap but the pizzas were nothing special.
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