Good Value Dining in Ireland

[meatmonger]

Originally Posted by Bob

If I get takeaway now then it is a treat and has to be Jaipur or Indie Spice (not sure if Kajjal do takeaway or not) and generally end up spending about €40 on it for two people. That price is enough to put me off as you may as well go out or just cook something and keep the cash to go out another night.

There is a great value early bird in Jaipur (c. €20 for 3 courses) and they also do a dinner and bottle of wine for two for €60 all night.

U joined the cash conscious club too Bob?

its your fault mint didn't work !!!!

[Bob]

We have said for years that someone should do a mid-range bistro in the middle of the town (they tried it in that place opposite Gibneys but charged too much, haven't been in ages). Something like The House in Howth would go down a storm.

I had always said that the place to do it was where Breakers was (next to Gibneys), it has now been redone as Gilbert & Wright bar with an Italian restaurant over it (ok, nice to go with a group for a night out but wouldn't be going for the food).

[meatmonger]

for all your invovlment in the industry, ever think of getting the hands dirty with your won place? You must be tempted sometimes?

I never thought i would end up in it, but the satisfaciton is great.

[Bob]

Have been tempted in the past, looked into bar leases in Spain with a mate but never anything here and never for a restaurant.

I worked in a hotel in Oz that was a step above youth hostel (probably two star here) it was really a full on pub with rooms and I had great fun there as a deputy manager running the bar, looking after the room side of the business etc. The food element was leased out so it was nothing to do with us. I really enjoyed it, but probably because the buck didn't stop with me and it was short term. I always loved the camraderie of working in the hospitality industry too, but I'm sure it gets lonely at the top.

I've worked in loads of different roles in hospitality and in different sectors and the stress, overheads, staff problems, low margins etc seem to be endemic where ever you are. One of the biggest issues the hospitality industry has had to contend with is that for some reason it attracts people who think they can just walk into it, people think you can just put money into a bar or restaurant and watch the money roll in, morons, they wouldn't start any other business they know nothing about so why do they think they can open a restaurant or bar?

I worked in a restaurant in Ballsbridge across from the RDS called Brubeck's - I think it is a Siam Thai now - when I was 18 or 19. What a lesson that taught me. Masses of money poured into it, loads of staff, everything top notch, really trendy for a while, gone a year later. All that cash down the drain when a nice little bistro with a low cost base would probably still be there today.

[bigjoe]

use to like Brubecks. was my usual 3rd or 4th date with a lady place for a while.
i think coopers had it for a while after brubecks.

[Bob]

Yeah that's right & when Coopers didn't work out I wondered if it is one of those spots that just doesn't work for anyone, but Siam Thai has been there a good while now (at least it was there the last time I passed which was ages ago)

[unclepat]

Is it not a gourmet burger joint now?

[Hanna]

You're right, UnclePat - Siam Thai closed and the premises has been a Real Groumet Burger restaurant for around 12 - 18 months or so.

[Bob]

Says it all about my life, haven't really been around there since Lansdowne closed, I wonder if they will have better luck than the previous incarnations

[sean_dru]

Brams cafe in fairview, had a mixed grill with sausages, puddings, rashers, lambs liver and steak for 8.95, now the sausages and puddings wont win any awards but its a greal little place for a hangover and the sirloin on the mixed grill was nicer than alot of beef ive had in superior places, tender, tasty and juicy.unlike me.

[Old Tart]

Going out with the girls on Friday. One of them suggested the early bird at the Dylan - €35 for 3 courses. Bit rich for me this close to payday! Has anyone been and is it worth it?

[Diapason]

The dylan (note lower-case d, they're far too cool for capitals) was *very* good first time I went, and significantly less good on my second visit. Neither visit is recent. Don't know that I'd be in a huge hurry at that price, especially given some of the other options around. Of course, a lot of the deals around town aren't available on Friday nights, so maybe it's not such a bad option.

[Old Tart]

Originally Posted by Diapason

The dylan (note lower-case d, they're far too cool for capitals) .

Oooh I stand corrected!! Thanks for the feedback. Personally I'd rather eat at a time of my choosing and would rather pay for a decent main course and spend the balance on wine!

[Ernie Whalley]

I liked the Dylan. Unfortunately though, no one pointed out the set menu so I ate off the alc. Good job I was reviewing, not cheap.
Food was good though - there's a review on the site.

[Old Tart]

I went to Ochos in Ranelagh instead. I think tapas is ideal when you're dining late in the evening. The food was delicious and great value. We had the usual - meatballs, gambas, mixed meats, patas bravas, octopus salad and the daily special which was beef fried in a pepper sauce. Service was great. Unfortunately the wine bill far exceeded the food bill, as often happens when the 3 of us meet up. It worked out at €50 a head for the food, 3 bottles of house red, a bottle of sparkling wine and the tip and I think was excellent value.

[YumYum]

The Winding Stair is doing a good deal on lunch these days. I did a college reunion lunch the weekend before last and it was fabulous although in the end we all could not resist the alac!

[unclepat]

Passing through Kilkenny over the weekend and dropped into Campagne. Food was simple, rustic and really good. Slow cooked veal cheek was delicious if a bit Wintery and their mash was the best I've ever tasted.
€24 for two courses at lunch time is not the cheapest you'll find but it is well worth it for the standard of cooking.

[meatmonger]

Originally Posted by unclepat

Passing through Kilkenny over the weekend and dropped into Campagne. Food was simple, rustic and really good. Slow cooked veal cheek was delicious if a bit Wintery and their mash was the best I've ever tasted.
€24 for two courses at lunch time is not the cheapest you'll find but it is well worth it for the standard of cooking.

been planning a visit as part of this summer's "mid week" dash around ireland! Very hard to get irish veal this time of year??

[unclepat]

Not easy to get good quality milkfed veal at the moment but there are a few suppliers doing it

[meatmonger]

Originally Posted by unclepat

Not easy to get good quality milkfed veal at the moment but there are a few suppliers doing it

Irish? ....