Came here for our last night it Galway and it will definitely be a memorable meal. The presentation was beautiful but was nothing compared to the taste. The meat and veggies are so so fresh !!
Mark D.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Arlington, VA
We just came back to the US last night. I never thought i’d be doing this, but this place is so good I had to write a review right now! We were staying at the Big hotel right on Eyre Sq. and the concierge recommended Blakes. She said it was some of the best pub food and all of Ireland. I think that was a gross understatement! I think it was some of the best food I’ve had in my entire life. And it was just lunch. When we walked in, the bartender couldn’t have been any nicer a big affable fellow who suggested that we might get out of the rain and sit near the fire the pub was about half full. We sat next to the warm coal fire in comfortable seats and attentive service. The waitress immediately brought us water, which is not all that common in Ireland, and also brought brown bread and butter and took a drink orders right away. One of the nicest things was when we asked her for suggestions including what she liked on the menu, she was quick to reply with what was good, What was great, what was popular, and what had seen better days. You don’t get to see that very often from a server. The drinks were served quickly, she refreshed the water and bread without prompting. However, we were simply overwhelmed with the dishes when they were presented they were cooked perfectly, great presentation, excellent portions, and some of the best quality food I have ever had in my life. I guess the best thing I could say about this place is that of the 365 pubs in Galway, we chose to go back to this place again the next day for lunch including my teenagers who are with us who said it was the best food they’ve ever had. Thank you, and well done.
Samir B.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Noe Valley, San Francisco, CA
Ambience, service and food impeccable. We had the prawn ravioli, scallops and fillet steak between us and everything was perfect. We had ice cream for dessert and the coconut had bits of coconut in it. Wouldn’t be surprised to see this as a Michelin Bib Gourmand shortly.
Alex S.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Frisco, TX
So I’m going to open this review with a disclaimer: I’m not sure if I am reviewing the right place. I have written down in my notes«Blake’s Brasserie.» And I believe this is the same place, where Blake’s may be the bar and the brasserie is the other dining room. At least, I think that is how this works. I have no idea. All I know is that the time we spent here, from drinks right through dessert, ranks as one of my favorite dining experiences of 2015. We had just gotten into Galway and had no idea where to go, what to do or, most importantly, what to eat. Fortunately, our guide suggested this place, and we were all the better for it! I do not remember it being the easiest place to find but it also was not like you had to go into a back alley, down the stairs to the basement and give someone a password. The street leading to the door here was not exactly bustling with nightlife but that might be because all the nightlife was already indoors and in the Brasserie’s dining rooms. Upon walking in, a bartender greeted us and a hostess whisked us back through a hallway to a dining room backing into another, larger dining room. We had a corner table that gave us a great view of the surroundings: plenty of tables and chairs for patrons, and it looks like all of them will be needed on a regular basis since this place gets pretty busy. And that’s a great transition for giving thanks to our server, Christine. Aside from being patient with our many, many questions about the menu, she was able to maintain a peppy attitude and efficiency despite waiting on six(!) tables at the same time. Maybe that’s the norm in Ireland but back in the U.S., I’ve seen waiters and waitresses crumble when they have three tables to take care of. Christine doubled that and did it without breaking a sweat! With cocktails and beers ordered, we turned our attention to the menu and found it to be an embarrassment of options. We had a hard time deciding on an appetizer and went with the lobster and baby leek ravioli, which was impossibly delicious. But you could come here 10 more times and try something new, and more than likely amazing, before your main entrée arrives. Which is actually the case with the steaks. The build-your-own steak menu is a phenomenon that I am amazed has not taken off at other places. And it probably has not because kitchens are not sure where to begin with offering such choices. In short, picking your steak, your sauce and your accompaniments is almost like a Renaissance-level awakening. One of us ordered an amazing salmon entrée, while the other three of us attacked the build-your-own steak selections. Two filets and one ribeye later, we were convinced the meal could not possibly get better. And then there was dessert. Well, sort of. I actually do not recall the desserts, other than the brownie and ice cream selections continuing the trend of the food here being exceptional. I actually went the«liquid dessert» route and got an After Eight. It looked like toothpaste, smelled like mouthwash and tasted like the mintiest slice of euphoria you have ever experienced. Hats off to the bartender for offering up a minty burst of refreshment. And, really, refreshing is a great way to sum up(Blake’s?) Brasserie on the Corner. The staff is incredible, the food and drinks offered somehow manage to be even better, and the entire experience is worth seeking out, whether you are a local or a visitor.
Jimmy Y.
Naples, FL
Went in Galway for the weekend for the first time and we found this lovely restaurant. All the reviews were pretty good and our airbnb hosts told us that it was one of their favorite places in the city(apparently we were lucky to get a table for 7 people on the same day so maybe make sure booking in advance if you want to go) Food was fresh and great. We went for a sea food platter for two and vegetables sides(see photos). White wine Sauvignon blanc from Chile was perfectly matching with it. Nice place, perfect for a dinner between friends or a couple. To go with our dinner we had the chance to get a singer and two great musicians. Old songs, not too noisy that was really cool and fitting with the ambiance. Didn’t put a better grade because according to me that’s a shame that almost all the seafood is battered or fried, would be so much better without it