Rottinculo

The first time I went because the name was funny, and I asked the owner the reasons behind the choice.
The explanation is definitely worth it, and I could have never figured it out by myself.
So sad the name seems to be the only concern of the Italians who go there, or badmouth the place without even trying it first.
I am now a regular, and I still did not find any other Italian restaurant in Ireland that is more genuine than this one.
Some of the specialties are delivered from Italy the same day they are served on your table, and the chef is nothing short of amazing.
They have a special care for coeliacs and vegetarians, which is one of those things that they do not advertise but puts them way above the competition.
Definitely my favourite Italian restaurant, be it for lunch, dinner or just for a slice of cake if I am nearby!

I read a stunning review of this place in the irish times and was dying to try it. The review made it sound authentic Italian to such a degree you’d think you were in Rome. But it was a listless experience unfortunately. They don’t do bookings which I think they could revisit given the restaurant’s small size. We were on a tight turnaround and the promised 15 minute wait ran over which made us tense from the start.
But that wasn’t the main issue. It all just felt a bit chaotic. The stress was evident in the staff who although friendly didn’t seem in top of things. We were waiting ages for our wine and the feeling was that no one was really looking after us. My prawn pasta when it finally arrived was at best average on taste — heavy on the starch light on the sauce. I ploughed through it but it felt a little to much like work. Overall it was disappointing — it feels like it needs some more thinking through, some proper organisation, a proper bookings system, another pair of hands. I hope it can become as good as the review suggested as it’s a good idea in an area under serviced for decent reasonable eateries.

Booked through Unilocal for a party of nine. When we arrived Patron told us he did not accept bookings from Unilocal even though we had received a confirmation from Unilocal of reservation, that the restaurant was fully booked and there was nothing he could do. He was rude, surly and implied that it was my fault for booking through Unilocal in the first place, though how he expected me to know about his non acceptance of Unilocal bookings, I do not know. It seemed a major failing of the reservations system of Unilocal in any case and was very embarrassing after having arranged this Christmas night out for a large group

Tried this new Italian eatery in my locality after reading the positive review in the Irish Times. First impressions — the place felt unfinished. It felt like a chain restaurant (but far less organised) with the place mats, and furniture still retaining their Ikea labels, masking tape still visible on walls from the design across the ceiling. That wasn’t the only thing ‘rough around the edges’ as we learnt later — the manager was rude when I expressed dissatisfaction at the trio of thumb sized portions of cannelloni we paid € 5 each for, citing the time and effort that went into ‘warming up’ the food — well that’s the very least I expect when I pay to eat in a restaurant! My friend’s dish of «classic» lasagna was drowned in béchamel sauce, with more layers of pasta than meat. We had a paltry bowl of leaves to share between us. My meek little bowl of risotto was inoffensive, certainly not something I’d pay € 14 for again. We were shivering in the restaurant on this cold December night as the only heating came from a couple of free standing heaters plugged in rather haphazardly into the walls.
The level of customer service in this place I have never encountered the like of before. I have worked for 5 years in restaurants, I have never witnessed management or owners be so condescending to staff. I have eaten in Italy several times on holidays over the years, I lived in Italy for a summer, and have many Italian friends who cook for me. The opinion of the owners here is to look down upon anyone who gives their mediocre fare an opinion they don’t agree with. Its a shame they waste their money on sourcing expensive ingredients from Italy when they taste little better than something from a chain of Italian style eateries. As for the unfinished décor, trying to make it sound like it is an unpretentious little café when it appears that laziness is the culprit rather than a poor choice of interior decoration!
If you’re looking for good value Italian fare, served up in friendlier (warmer!) surroundings go for Paulie’s Pizza in Beggars Bush, Dunne and Crescenzi on South Frederick Street or Il Primo on Montague Street! However, if you enjoy eating economical sized portions, in a cold room, while an outdated Pink! & pop rock soundtrack blares in the background, while paying well for the privilege, and being talked down to by ignorant managerial staff, then you’ll LOVE this place! Next time I’m on Clanbrassil Street and I get a craving for Italian food, I’ll go to the frozen pizza section in Tesco, because the owners don’t want to serve Irish potato munchers who don’t understand the «authentic» Italian food served up here — I’ve certainly never dined on anything quite like it in Italy either. It is truly unique, just like its owners. They certainly live up to its namesake!