Blogging, IT@Cork, Technology

Irish bloggers dinner location

I am organising a bloggers dinner with Robert Scoble for the night of November 30th. Robert will be in town for the IT@Cork Annual Conference.

Several people have asked me to ensure that the dinner is in a nice venue! I had originally thought that having it in the Rochestown Park would be simplest as this is the hotel where the conference is being held but on second thoughts, somewhere like Isaacs Restaurant on MacCurtin Street might be a better option.

Anyone any thoughts or opinions on this?

24 thoughts on “Irish bloggers dinner location”

  4. I wouldn’t recommend Isaacs for this… was there last night – couldn’t hear myself think with the noise level… for this type of affair somewhere that discussion could take place might be better! By the looks of things it might need to be somewhere BIG too! 😉

    I suppose it needs to be city centre?

  5. Damien,

    I think Ivory Tower would be too small (and a bit pricey) as you mention yourself.

    Frank, definitely city centre – needs to be central for people from outside of Cork. If Isaacs is seen as too noisy, how about Proby’s on Ffrench’s Quay? This has the advantage of serving beer as well as wine!

  7. Not to cause an argument but I was in Issacs last night too and I didn’t think the noise was excessive but then again I always think Issacs has a great atmosphere.

    In fairness the place we go to has to be inherently noisy anyway because we can hardly ruin everyone else’s meal by chatting loudly while others are trying to eat!

  8. I was in Issacs last night too and I didn’t think the noise was excessive

    This is where Frank chimes in and says “So ye were the feckers making all the noise!”

    the place we go to has to be inherently noisy anyway because we can hardly ruin everyone else’s meal by chatting loudly while others are trying to eat!

    If it were possible to get a room in a restaurant for ourselves then this might not be a problem

  9. This is where Frank chimes in and says “So ye were the feckers making all the noise!�

    In my ignorance I never even thought of that! Apologies if we were Frank 🙂

    If it were possible to get a room in a restaurant for ourselves then this might not be a problem

    So I wonder where does that. In fairness Issacs does have an alcove type area. A relation of my girlfriend had a wedding dinner there and there were a decent amount of people so that might work.

  10. LOL – classic. Which group were you with? If you were with the blonde with the curly hair and the shoulderless top I forgive you. 😉

    Seriously though, I dunnoe… it wasn’t any particular group and at my table we all found the same, and I know other people who go there for lunch but not dinner for same reason… but I guess some are more tolerant of noise than others.

    So, I guess it’s just a matter of whether anyone else has same reservations… I don’t mind to be honest, just giving a general heads up…

  13. I was going to suggest Jacobs but I thought it might be a bit pricey alright… plus I haven’t been there in years…
    Ivory tower, you *might* be ok if you book the whole place, but also pricey isn’t it?
    Mind you, it might not be a bad idea to send Scoble away with a good impression of Cork, either with Ivory’s food or Jacobs general ambience…

  15. All this talk of food has me hungry and it’s only a little while since lunch! Seriously though I was thinking about this earlier and Scoozi’s wouldn’t be the worst place. In at the back on the left there’s a kind of isolated section which I reckon would be large enough to accomodate those going. Also while not Issacs standard food it’s not going to break the bank either.

    Alternatively that place across the new bridge at the end of the coal quay (El Gauchos?) seems to regularly deal with large parties.

  16. Conor,
    Ottos, although I am sure it would be an amazing venue, is probably not suitable for the 12 or so coming down from the Tipp Institute – most of whom, I am presuming, are students – Bernie, feel free to jump in and correct me on this!

    Scoozi’s or El Gaucho’s? Interesting suggestions Dave – they certainly wouldn’t have occurred to me – I’ll look further into those and Proby’s as well because Proby’s has an upstairs section which we may be able to book – this might be suitable either.

    Anyone else any ideas/suggestions/comments?

  17. Nah, I wasn’t really serious about Otto’s. The point about the students is well made tho – Jacobs etc are probably too pricey.

    Actually, I just checked the hated Bridgestone guide after my wife pointed out that some places do early-bird all night mid-week. Les Gourmandises is fabulous and can take a reasonable number and do 3-course fixed price mid-week from 6pm to 10pm for €29.50.

    Jacques only do early bird from 6pm to 7pm for a very good €19.20 but I’m guessing they would extend it to later if guaranteed the numbers.

    That tapas place or that gourmet pizza place are probably too informal and rushed for this?

  18. Conor,

    thanks for the further suggestions. By “That tapas place” do you mean La Boqueria on Bridge Street? The pizza place is Milano’s, right?

    I don’t know Les Gourmandises – I must look it up!

  19. Yes I think the Tapas place is La Boqueria – my big sis raved about it. The pizza place I was thinking of (and I haven’t been either) is the one owned by one of the Ballymaloe gang. I think it is near Paul St. By all accounts it is fab too. But I don’t know if either suit.

    Les Gourmandises is on Cook St and is run by the people who were on that RTE programme about Cork start-ups.

  20. I love Boqueria, but I don’t think it would be suitable for this purpose… I had lunch in that other pizza place in Paul street and it was nice – but unless there is a suitable upstairs (there might be) I doubt if it would do…

    Mind you Milanos might actually be grand, you know when they have a big party they give you tables all along the big wall with the mirror on it…

  21. Just had a going away bash for an intern in Scoozi’s on Friday. Whilst it was perfect for the type of night that was in it, I don’t know if it really makes sense to bring an American to a burger and pizza joint. Everyone did rave about the desserts tho!

  22. Guys,

    I rang several of the restaurants and Proby’s seems to be coming out on top. It is not too expensive, it is quite central, they sell beer on draught (very few of the other restaurants do) and they have an upstairs room we can book capable of taking up to 50 people.

    Does that sound ok to everyone?

  23. After all my opinion offering, I’m afraid I have to pull out of the dinner. I have to go on a business trip for that entire week to the US. It’s a big pity as I expect it is going to be a great night. Do report back with all the details!

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