The SpitJack — Restaurant in Cork

I could say many things about The Spitjack, but I will make it simple. This is the BEST restaurant in Cork for many reasons: the food, the atmosphere, the service, and above everything the fantastic staff. It is a place a like to call my second home, and it is definitely the restaurant I always go for celebrations.

Since the very first time I went there, they have made me feel more than welcomed. My husband and I both feel like visiting a friend when we are there. They always blow our minds away, and the details and attention are beyond any restaurant service. They have been there in bad times as well, worried about us, and with them we celebrated our engagement and our first 2 years married. And in all those occasions they made our night very special.

The menu suits everyone from meat lovers to vegetarian and vegan people. Whether you want to go for breakfast/brunch, lunch or dinner, you won't be disappointed.

If you want my opinion, the below info will give you a more detail review of my top dishes.

'The veggie' with smashed avocado, tomatoes, poached eggs, fresh rocket, and hollandaise sauce on a brown toast or corn cake is my to go choice everytime I want to enjoy a good brunch. Add sweet potatoes fries as side and you have a winer. I could eat this everyday. The fresh juices are really nice too. My husband always asks for the buttermilk pancakes with cookies, chocolate chips, whipped cream, and chocolate sauce. And he is so obssesed with them, sometimes he gets them as a dessert when we go for lunch (judge yourself from the photo).

Other options for breakfast/brunch are smoothie bowl with homemade granola, eggs royale, waffles, or a full irish breakfast, among other things. Lunch offers plenty options: sandwiches, soups, burgers, and salads. For dinner we usually go for the calamari, croquettes, and French onion soup as starters; and our fav main courses are the hallumi burger, and the warm salad with vegetables and vegan feta cheese (you can also have it with grill hallumi). Of course you have much more options such as steak, rotisserie chicken, duck leg, fish risotto (yuuuum), goat cheese salad, or beaf and chicken burgers. For desserts, I will definitely go for the brownie, the vanilla crème brûlée, or the apple tart. Delicious!!!

In a nutshell, whether you are from Cork or you are just passing by, don't miss the opportunity to enjoy quality food and great atmosphere. I go there quite often and with no exception everytime I go I think about the next time I will be there.

Just like...

Honestly, the whole experience was a disappointment. I was so excited to try this place, the reviews looked good and it promised a bright and lively environment. It did not deliver.

The beginning of the service started well enough. It was a packed house but they were able to seat us quickly. We were placed in a small side room with 2, 2 top tables and a 4. The 4 top had finished their meal and were just chatting, so it was our 2 top and another that were sat after us.

The table that was sat after us were approached before us and had their order taken. I don't know if it was just a mistake or they were given priority because they appeared to be older.

In any event, we ordered an appetizer and 2 meals, as well as a drink.

The appetizer came quickly, and was as advertised. It was called the caramelt or something to that extent. It was the melted bree with a pepper jam. It was good, but needed more bread for the amount of cheeses you get.

When our server dropped it off, I asked if he could bring back the drink menu. I wasn't a big fan of what I ordered, which is on me, it was made well. I wanted to order something different and my husband also wanted a drink.

The menu never came, and nor did our server. The next time I saw him, he was eyeing the 4 top that had emptied. He immediately let the front of the house know they were gone.

When our food came. It was warm, but not hot. I ordered the pork belly, which had rave reviews. It did not live up to expectation. It was over done and dry. I can only assume it had been left under the heat lights for quite some time. My husband got the steak, which was also sub par. It was chewy and he even described it as gamey. I'm going to also attribute that to heat Lamps due to Ireland being known for superior beef.

At no point did our server to come over to check on it. Had he I would have let him know I was unhappy. I don't know his name, but I heard him tell the older couple he was from Maryland.

Another gentleman came and collected our plates. My plate was very clearly uneaten. When the server finally returned, he asked if we wanted dessert. To which we declined, and asked for the check.

For 90 euros, you think they would at least like to make sure you were satisfied. This was not the case.

This was our final night in Cork, and this experience left a sour taste in our mouths.

If you are looking for a high end or lively environment I would pick somewhere else. This was not worth the money...

Ate here again for the first time in about 7 years and the headline is I won’t again.

The staff were very friendly and had us seated for our reservation immediately and were attentive and polite throughout the evening so no fault to be assigned there.

The food and drinks were where it was let down. To start we had the chicken croquettes which were alright and the salt and pepper calamari which some were roasting and some cold. This has us concerned and we both had mild tummy cramps into the night.

The mains were again ok. I got the ribs which were fine but nothing at all special and my wife got the hake which again was nothing special. The desert menu was very dissapointing honestly. I settled for the tart tatin which was nice enough but was the best of the options from my perspective when Apple tart is the safe bet. My wife had the brownie which was fine.

The cocktails were fairly mediocre and I have a very strong suspicion they are all pre-made. The mojito was easily one of the most bland I’ve ever tasted not bad tasting but none of that zing of a good mojito.

My wife did love the bramble so kudos there.

The pornstar martini came served completely out of place with the restaurant in a vhs box to look like a tape of the name of the drink. With the “mix” in a hipster flask. It didn’t taste or look remotely like a porn start martini with more of a taste of grapefruit then passionfruit honesstly, none of the foam etc. weird.

We left with the summary of “it was grand but never again” we don’t get out much and when we do we want something special of which there are much better options in cork.

Kudos to the staff though all very nice. And the toilets were very clean and modern which was...