Bar Italia (Ormond Quay)

For the authentic Italian experience in the heart of Dublin, Bar Italia offers the ideal location to relax and escape from the bustle of the city and enjoy the finest quality dishes to tempt the tastebuds without raiding the pocket

Stefano Crescenzi and Davide Izzo’s Dublin city centre branch of their, by now institutional, Bar Italia is situated right at the epicentre of our own mini (as opposed to little) Italy. It has long been a favourite of Dubliners, due, in no small part, to impeccable Irish and Italian food sourcing, passionate Italian cooking and wonderful, fiery Italian service!

Max and Mateo lead a perfectly judged front of house team, knowing just when to stop and chat and just when to leave their guests to their own conversation. And what conversation there is! The room is buzzing, at its best when full of chatting, happy diners and appointed in a very traditionally Italian style with cool tiled floors, dark wood shelving and simple, rustic chairs. When we visit, the tables are filled with the eclectic folk of Dublin 1 locale, with barristers from the nearby courts rubbing elbows with large groups of Italian students, local business people and all breed of lunching friends. The menu is classic Italian, chunky and extensive and covering many Italian regional specialities, offering a particularly great selection of salumi but also a decent scattering of pastas, gnocchi, risotto, fish and meat. Think organic centre-loin lamb-chops, salsiccia from Sienna, free range chicken salad and tuna salad. Think bistecca, truffle ravioli and pizza only matched by those in Naples!  

Mateo is the perfect maitre d’, acquiescing immediately when we inquire whether it’s possible to trade the Arborio rice in the seafood risotto for a pasta,. Chef Alberto kindly cooks us a stunning tonerelli in its place, loaded with Irish clams, Galway mussels, squid and Dublin Bay prawns in a simple, classic white wine, garlic and herb broth. Alongside, a simple salad of Irish rocket from Keelings is delicately dressed and loaded with shavings of nutty Parmesan. The fish is deliciously fresh, the pasta perfectly cooked and the whole dish sings of simple, family Italian cooking, albeit with Irish produce. Bar Italia source all their organic raw meats from Downey’s butchers, fish from Hanlons and Kish, their jams and marmalades form the fabulous Helen Gee and their eggs are free range from Connelly’s farm and provenance is proudly displayed on the menu. All bread is baked nearby at their IFSC branch except the amazing crumbly focaccia, which Alberto makes himself. Also made nearby are the famous tarts. On our visit, we couldn’t resist the ricotta, pear and chocolate tart, made with Cuinneog salty butter and filled with a solid piece of rich dark chocolate!
The team at Bar Italia are a delight. From the authentic, tasty food to the inimitable Italian service, the whole experience evokes a familiar sense of a small Italian town but one rooted firmly in a very local Irish food provenance. Go for a chat with the boys, a bowl of pasta and a glass from the excellent wine list. You may even catch a game of soccer and trade football stories with the waiters. What’s not to love?

Contact Details

To Contact a Member Directly, please click on the email or website below

Blooms Lane
26 Lower Ormond Quay
Dublin 1
+353 (0) 8741000
Email: info@baritalia.ie
Web: www.baritalia.ie/

 

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