Owners Fabio Cirello and Vincenzo Morelli have created a little piece of Italy right in the centre of Terenure village.
This smartly glass-fronted Dublin restaurants one of those rare and authentic little gems that you don’t find very often. Inside, there’s a definite Italian atmosphere – the music, the food, the waiters, right down to the large bottle of extra-virgin olive oil on every table.
All the expected Italian favourites are here, including the simple foods that are so enjoyable when done well - such as really good authentic bruschetta, and a delicious thick minestrone - but there’s more. While reading the menu, you could nibble some of the Bocconcini Croccanti, the deep fried mozzarella ball served with mustard and honey sauce, or the Olive Ascolane, deep fried Italian olives stuffed with pork and beef.
As well as all the usual Italian fare –starters include Gratinato di calamari e gamberi, gratinated squid strips and prawns in a mixed herb panure, and an antipasto with cured meats and grilled vegetables.
Mains offer a wide range of pastas and pizzas but you might prefer to try a real classic - scaloppina di vitello al vino bianco, purée di patate - pan-fried veal escalope in white wine sauce, served with and potato purée or Amalfi fresh cod, the Italian version of fish and chips.
No Italian menu is complete without luscious desserts like tiramisu or pannacotta, and here you can also try a selection of the homemade ice cream Italians are famous for, or perhaps an Italian cheese board, offering a selection of artisan DOP cheeses.
To accompany there’s an excellent selection of regional Italian wines, that include Sardinia and Sicily and the famous Barolo wines of Piemonte. House wine by the glass is €5, with a bottle excellent value at €17.50.
Bellagio delivers deliciously authentic food, good value and great Italian service - perfect for a girlie lunch, informal business meeting, tasty dinner, or simply people watching through that big glass frontage. All round, a great asset to Terenure.
