This northside quays branch of Stefano Crescenzi and Davide Izzo's popular Dublin restaurants chain Bar Italia bears all the hallmarks of this talented team: sassy Italian waiters offer attentive service, quickly seating new arrivals, and the banter lends a relaxed atmosphere - matched by colourful, flavoursome food, simply presented.
The minestrone soup can be memorable (always a great test), panini and pasta dishes - egg pasta homemade on the premises - are the business while we really enjoyed the risotto with seafood (clams, mussels, squid & prawns in a seafood stock base) on a recent visit.
Desserts are especially good and many baked in house including Tiramisu, Profiteroles and an unforgettable Italian chocolate cake and it's a place worth seeking out for their espressos alone.
Service throughout is quick and professional - and it's great value too.
Seats 80 (private room, 40, outdoor, 12). Food served daily all day 8am-11pm. A la Carte L & D. Also set Dinner €28. Children welcome (high chair); toilets wheelchair accessible. Closed 25-26 Dec, 1 Jan. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser. Also at: Bar Italia, IFSC, Dublin, 1 (see entry)
