Update Task #3

Our task from the last meal was to read four books - The Princess Bride by William Goldman, Carry on Jeeves by PG Wodehouse, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte and Blessed Miguel Pro by Ann Ball. We completed the task and talked about the books during the meal, which led to some lively discussion. While a new task was discussed, nothing was finally agreed.

Meal #4, Quaglino's Dundalk

As Broken Wing has already brilliantly reviewed our evening out on the 2nd of October, I will make my comments brief. We went to Quaglino's over the Century Bar in Dundalk's town centre. I have been there a few times before but never with my fellow S.R's. As on previous occasions, it was very quiet. It is not accessible for those with mobility issues as it is at the top of an old, narrow flight of stairs, but for those who can climb, the decor is pleasant and there is a nice view of Dundalk, especially St. Patrick's church. The menu is extensive and high class, with the prices being at the higher end of the scale. Because we arrived at an early hour, we were eligible for the early bird menu which included starter, main course, dessert plate and coffee for only €26. This was exceptionally good value, especially when one of the main courses on the menu - the medallions of Angus beef - was €25 on the Ala carte. The service was efficient, although perhaps not as speedy as Gonzalez would have liked, and our waiter was extremely nice and attentive without being obtrusive. The early bird menu had a good choice of starters and main dishes. I chose vegetable soup followed by medallions of Angus beef. The soup looked terrible, but tasted quite nice, although I couldn't stomach the veg pulp at the bottom of the bowl. I had asked for my beef to be well done, as always, but it was very pink in the middle when it arrived. I was hungry so I didn't send it back and decided to eat it, but I would consider it medium rare rather than well done. It was served with mashed potatoes and a Diane sauce (which I asked to be served on the side) and there were vegetables for the table, which included carrots, mange tout and cauliflower. Potatoes also came with the meal, but Dancer and Gonzalez asked for chips instead. The beef and vegetables were very tasty and made a good combination. The helpings were large, I would consider them country helpings, and the food was well done, if simple. For dessert we all got a selection of four different desserts, which was a lovely idea and it was nice to try them without filling up too much on any of them. We finished our meal with coffee and, totally satiated by our meal and happy with the value, we returned home. On a minor note, the bill came with chocolates, which was nice, except my chocolate had mould growing on it, which was not so nice. My rating is 8/10 Highly Recommended.

Quaglinos

It has been 6 weeks at least since the last blog entry and I am sure fans of this site(!!!) must have been disappointed in the intervening period. The stardust gang were just too busy doing other exciting (!!!) things to go out for a meal together. Even todays entry owes more to the fact that it was the Dancer's birthday than the obligations that the stardust team has to their reveiwing duties.

Qualinos is in Roden Place in Dundalk. It used to be in Clanbrassil Street and I had gone to it many years ago in that location and really liked it. I am not really sure if there is much overlap in ownership or personal between the old and the new. ITs new locality is over the Century Bar and you have to climb up some steep over the century old staircases to reach it. Its decor is understated but pleasant. I think there are 2 room, in our room, there were only 4 tables with seating capacity for 12.

We were served by one waiter throughout and he was very friendly pleasant and attentive. The food arrived without any undue delay. It was a little bit cold but that could have been because we were the only diners.

We all choose from the Early Bird Menu which was €26 for 3 courses and coffee. I thought it was excellant value and there was a good choice in courses.

I had vegatable soup for my first course which was ok but certainly not appetising to look out. I choose it mainly to leave room for the rest of my meal and I guessed (correctly) that helpings would be large.

I had madellions of beef for the main course. They were served with vegatables (carrots, mange tout and cauliflower ), a sauce and potatoes. The medallions themselves were on some sort of potatoe as well. THe meat was delicious as were the vegatables. My only quible was that the helping was way too large for me and I asked for well done and it was medium rare (although still delicious).

Desert was a medley of cheesecake, ice cream, toffee pudding and cake with marzipan. I love medleys. They are my favourite kind of desert and indeed I would love starters and even main courses on that principal.

I think that Quaglinos is suited to people who like quiet unpretentious but quality food and surroundings. There was nothing flashy or novel about anything but everything was really pleasant . The value was excellent. Overall I would give it an 7-8.