Review of Lemongrass Restaurant Ballincollig

Where not to eat in Ballincollig

Anyone who knows me, knows I love to eat good food, and it shows. So it comes with some regret that I have found some place where I will not return. One of the things I’m fond of in Irish restaurants in general is the leisurely way you can dine. The Lemongrass in Ballincollig is not such a place. Having been to the Lemongrass in Maynooth I was looking forward to a nice dinner, and as we were led through an over crowded floor, we were at first impressed with the decor.

But there began the feeling of being rushed along, the waitress was prompt and was anxious to take our orders after only a brief glance at the menu. I choose the Sizzling Peking Duck as I enjoy spicy food and a beer. We were amazed at how quickly the food arrived, ahead of the beers. And then began my first disappointment perhaps not being familiar with duck in general, I was immediately struck by the smell of cooked feathers, not a pleasant aroma. This followed by the heavy layers of skin and fat on the bits of meat put me off eating most of them, at least they did not taste of feathers, but the dish suffered from the thick cornstarch sauce which lacked any serious spicy elements, very disappointing. This was the least authentic tasting ‘Asian’ food I had ever tasted.

So if you like being rushed into eating nondescript ‘Asian’ food and quickly rotated through like an American Restaurant this is the place.

For real Thai food in Ballincollig, I suggest the Banna Thai Restaurant across from the Movie theater. At least you will not be disappointed with the food, service or the quiet leisurely dining you will find there.

Rated 1/5 on Jun 22 2007 by Branedy
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12 comments on “Review of Lemongrass Restaurant Ballincollig

  1. I visit lemongrass Ballincollig on a weekly basis and i have to disagree with your comments. Ive had more or less every dish on the menu and find the food, staff and general ambience of the restaurant excellent, so I would suggest giving it another try and then make your judgement.

  2. Have you eaten at the Banna Thai Restaurant? If you use that as a reference, get back to me. If on the other hand you like mild Irishized chineese food, then we are going to differ in our opinions.

  3. I totally agree. I ate there at the weekend and was furious when leaving. It wasn’t so much the food I had a problem with I had noodles for main and they were gorgeous. It was the rude staff and uncomfortable environment they created. The restaurant wasn’t even busy enough to excuse the staffs rudeness.

  4. this gaff seesm to be the epitome of the celtic tiger, teak and slate, highbacked chairs, fountains in the bar flash harry places where food is a global mishmashy afterthought. i was brought here by someone with very good intentions and nodded along when they said how great it was. I’m such a hypocrite!

  5. Have to completely disagree. Been there many times, and food is absolutely delicious, service impeccable, and no feeling of being ‘rushed’ whatsoever (and one of those times was on Valentine’s night!)

    You should give the place another try, and sure if worst comes to worst, tell them who you are and they might give you the meal on the house. (Or they may react in a different manner if they’ve seen this website)

  6. I have just had a fantastic meal there to night!!
    I ate there on recent weeks and was dissapointed with my meal over cooked and wine list only consisted of half that was mentioned.
    However I decided to give it another try after hearing they hired a new cheff from a former well known 5 star hotel which i read in the local news letter, new waiting staff also.
    The presentation of the food was fantastic and all round a very enjoyable meal!!
    I Would highly recomend this restaurant to all my friends and collagues.
    I hope they keep up the good service and i look foward to my next visit!

  7. This is a lovely place and the food is excellent, really what is going on here is “food snobbery” a lot of these people were brought up on rasher sandwiches and bovril. The food is good and the staff are friendly, you do have to remember people meet like with like and as for Branedy… well what can I say. Effete.

  8. I’m not a snob, but I do hate ‘Irishized’ Chinese food. My issue was the Duck and it was done badly, we were being rushed and that’s NOT Irish. We have not been back, and others have claimed that it’s changed. But there are so many other places we like, and would like to see survive this recession that we are spending our few nights out elsewhere. The Lemongrass is a chain, and will survive without us.

  9. “I do hate ‘Irishized’ Chinese food.” What do you expect get in Ireland? If food in this country was made to the authentic recipes that they use in say, China, most people in this country would not eat in the restaurant, of course it’s ‘Irishized’ but if that still isn’t good enough for your fine palate I hear you get great Chinese food in China. Branedy.

  10. Really, have you eaten chinese food in china? Interesting, but then you could rephrase the statement as, ‘like american chinese food’ rather than the sticky bland goo served to the Irish. And that goes for Thai food and Indian etc.

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