Opening the door into James Cirillo’s cosy corner restaurant on Baggot Street, the first thing you notice is the inviting energy of the place.
The main dining area has a bar and there's a smaller room downstairs with a view of the pizza oven – perfect for private parties.The space was designed by ODOS architects and you can sense their mood-setting Midas touch everywhere – from the dark, polished wood floor, to the brushed concrete walls, gleaming bar and cool filament lights, the place just oozes atmosphere.
James is no stranger to the restaurant business – he’s the nephew of Emilio Cirillo, who has been running the legendary Nicos restaurant in Dublin for over fifty years - and it shows.
It may not take very long to peruse the menu - five starters, three homemade pasta dishes and thirteen pizzas - but the offer of a kick-off cocktail as you make your choices can only enhance the feel good factor. Perhaps a refreshing Aperol Spritz, or a light elderflower Prosecco...?
To start, there are appealing dishes like calamari with black garlic aioli and a comforting selection of bruschetta, while tempting options among the mains include fettuccine with braised short rib, cherry tomatoes and basil pesto, or a superb pizza - maybe the Ortolana topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella, aubergine, courgette and roasted red peppers. As well as traditional tomato-topped pizzas, they also offer five ‘white’ pizzas, (no tomato sauce) to choose from.
After such a feast you may struggle to go for round three, but a dessert like vanilla and buttermilk pannacotta with macerated strawberries, lemon and hazelnut biscotti is the kind of palate cleanser that would make the perfect finishing touch to a fine meal.
The drinks offering includes beers, cider, ten wines by the glass from a choice of thirty bottles representing the best of Italy’s wine culture. With food of this quality, served up in a seriously stylish setting, Cirillo’s offers terrific value for money and good vibes.
