Please mention ireland-guide.com when enquiring.

Il Veliero

Authentic Italian fine dining is a rarity in Ireland and the recently opened Il Veliero is a welcome addition. Located just off The Mall (in the premises formerly occupied by Chez K’s) it is spacious and elegant with dark wood, linen clad tables, comfortable tall-backed chairs and some interesting artwork on the walls.

The atmosphere has a distinct European feel and the professional welcome from well-trained Italian staff inspires confidence.

The menu (promptly presented along with a basket of real bread and chilled water) is written in Italian with English translations, and reveals a Tuscan emphasis with some northern Italian influences; it is not overlong, and a page of Specials of the Day is offered separately which may include some treats like lobster (with homemade spaghetti or, Mediterranean style, as a main course, reasonably priced at around €16/28 respectively).

Dishes are divided Italian-style into first, second and third plates, then sub divided into dishes from the land or sea.

You might begin, as the Guide did on a recent visit, with an antipasta of richly-flavoured Pecorino mousse with a rocket salad garnished with crisp strips of onion, or a salmon and prawn tartare with a green salad. Next, you could choose between traditional pasta dishes like tomato, basil and olives, or a wild mushroom risotto.

Main courses offer a choice of simply-cooked and elegantly presented seafoods, or meat dishes such as classic Tuscan lamb accompanied with peppers, onion and courgettes.

Unusually for an Italian restaurant, desserts are very good, and may include a mille feuille of chewy dried pears with a wine mousse – strange, but delicious.

The bread is authentic, service of both food a wine knowledgeable and helpful, the wine list favours Italian wines, and the
prices are very fair for the quality and expertise offered.

A very welcome newcomer to Waterford.

Seats 90; children welcome; reservations advised; toilets wheelchair accessible. D daily 5.30-10 (Sun 4-9). Early D about €25 (Mon-Fri, 5.30-7). D also á la carte. House wine about €20. Open all year. MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

Left at traffic lights at Tower Hotel - on the left 400m