Pinocchio

Lovely, lovely experience going for dinner here. The food is ¹⁰⁄₁₀ quality and the staff are up for getting involved & having the lols (our waiter was gas and kind of insisted on speaking italian to us the entire night, even though no one at the table could speak italian. a consistent mixture of bewilderment, incomprehension and delight ensued every time he approached the table!)
Allow me to recommend the whopper aubergine & tomato starter (it’s ginormous, could actually be eaten as a main) and the spagetti with prawns
*bellissimo*

Had an amazing glass of wine here. We were a bit peckish and ordered the dips, olives and bread basket. On the menu it said there would be 5 different dips and 3 types of bread. We got two dips and oil and vinegar and one type of bread. After enquiring our waitress said that they had ran out of dips and the chef decided to give us something else. odd. They should inform us beforehand?
I have to say that the dips (two different types of pesto) were delicious.
What really annoyed us was the service, we were ignored most of the time, we didn’t get an apology on our enquiry (only when she brought us the bill) and our NON italian waitress said ‘prego’ in front of every sentence she spoke, in between and and after every sentence, which was just… strange!

Easy to miss as its situated under the Luas station Pinocchio is a hidden gem. The staff are super friendly and welcoming. The food is delicious and authentic. Fresh home made pasta, big meat boards and bread and cheese, the food isn’t over complicated just simple and delicious. Really reasonably priced too. I’ve been 3 times and would recommend it again. Their sister company «the Italian cooking school» situated on the old naas road is a must too. Have done a few cooking courses there and it’s open mid week lunch for the business that surround it. Such good value for great quality food. You can also buy lovely Italian products there!

Living in Ranelagh, Pinocchio is one of those places that you pass all the time and think you should probably try but then by the time you reach Redmonds you’ve already forgotten all about it. Well on Saturday we met some friends there for dinner and this will no longer be the place we pass by.
We arrived a bit late for our reservation (okay, really late for our reservation) but we gave the courtesy call about halfway through so decided it was okay to finish our pre-​dinner drinks. At first glance, this place is so much bigger than you would have guessed. It had lovely high ceilings and a great atmosphere. We were quickly greeted by our server who gave us the run-​down of the specials and asked us for our drink orders. She was really pushing the organic wine so we decided to try one of the bottles of red and also ordered one of the normal Chiantis. Both of them were good but I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the organic one, very light and nice.
For starters we ordered a couple Caprese salads and two of the starter specials. I myself had the Caprese and it was so good. Thick and fresh tasting mozzarella with the perfect ratio of tomato. The rest of the group quickly devoured their starters which I gather were equally enjoyed. For mains we had a variety of pastas from ravioli to prawn linguine to penne. I had the ravioli of the day which was ricotta and spinach with a tomato cream sauce. It was very simple but really tasty. I was supposed to share a little with J and I’m pretty sure I tossed over maybe half of one ravioli The rest of the group loved their pastas as well. Again, very simple but great flavours.
To finish the evening off we decided to order a few desserts (in part because we were sitting directly beside the dessert display and literally could not resist). I had some kind of almond dessert with layers of cream and flaky pastry. Not too sweet but a great end to my meal. The others got tiramisu, lemon cheesecake and some kind of chocolate dessert which they also quickly downed. We all had a great time at Pinocchio’s without having to pay a fortune. Will return soon!

I went here twice on a recent trip to Dublin. It was recommended by some local co-​workers. I had the penne arrabbiata both times and it was so good I want back for more. The service was good and they have a huge selection of wines. The location can’t be beat since it is literally at the Luas.

an italian espresso with a dolce chocolate cake

fantastic food, and italian, not pretend Anglo-​Italian food, we got the € 20 starter and main course deal and couldn’t finish them, great food, either course would have been enough to put a donkey on its knees, but we soldiered on. So impressed I’m heading off to their cookery school.

I regret ordering something so typical, but then I wasn’t expecting my «Penne salsiccia e peperoni» to taste so typical judging by the reviews of the place. Alas I didn’t feel it was anything I couldn’t have made myself if I really tried. For € 15.90 it was also very expensive. The antipasto platter to share for € 19.90 equally failed to impress me. Bread, ham and cheese, a bowl of pasta and a glass of wine for € 37.00? Is that reasonable? It doesn’t seem so.
I guess I’ve tasted much worse, but I’ve also tasted better and for much less. Good Italian food does not need to be so highly priced. Having lived with a bunch of Italians for 15 weeks in student digs and eating fabulous dishes made on very little money, I can attest to that.
At least the service was friendly. Can’t say I’m dying to go back, but you never know.

I’ve never been in for the sit-​down meals, but they do make a fine Americano. Technically you aren’t supposed to eat or drink on the Luas, but some mornings I just can’t resist a hot cup of Pinicchio’s coffee on my way in. It really is fantastic stuff. I’d even go so far as to say that it rivals Nick’s up the street (just don’t tell those organic, Fair Trade, independent business people).
At € 2.20 it’s not the cheapest cup around though. Especially since I have no excuse for not brewing my own pot at home. But sometimes you just need that caffeinated relief.

I went to Pinocchio for the first time last night for my final drink of the night. My friend and I had just been to another wine bar in town but we were still a bit peckish. Unfortunately there weren’t any snacky things on the menu and so we just had our drink and finished our chat. It is a nice place and if I wanted a meal, I would probably go there another time. I didn’t find it to be a great place for just a glass of wine and nibbles.

We went here to avail of their meal deal that is valid till October 9^th. From 5:30pm everyday you can get a starter and main for € 19.90.
To start I had the mozzarella al caprese. Not a very difficult dish to mess up but it was done perfectly with good portions. My companion got the antipasto all’Italiana Piccolo, which basically was a cured meat and cheese plate. The portions were huge and I got appetizer envy.
For main I got grilled sea-​bass and roasted vegetables. Thankfully there was some bread and because my companion was stuffed from her starter I got to pick food from her plate… Perhaps vegetables are the new Swiss franc as in they are too expensive to buy.
Overall solid dining experience. Pleasant waiter. Cappuccino was too hot and like rocket fuel. I still think it’s very much a bistro and not fine dining so in my opinion the early bird is not the best value. But than again in Ranelagh village it’s probably the average early bird price.
Also not a fan of being punished for being frugal by going for an early bird by being given smaller portions… Next time I’ll bring a spare potato and carrot for them to cook for me.

This is a great restaurant. The food is always good and the service is warm and friendly. Wines served by the glass are all excellent especially the reds. If you don’t have a favourite Italian restaurant, I’d recommend that you try this one.
They used to do take out pannini sandwiches which unfortunately they have stopped. There are early bird and daily specials available every day.

If the restaurant starts to move after you are seated you missed the entrance and are on the Luas. If you want peace and quiet stay on the tram but if you want excellent Italian food get off and retrace your steps. We had great seafood lasagna and the chef was experimenting with some new breads which were delicious.
The night we were there two world-​class Canadian musicians were playing old Italian favorites such as the Donegal Reel and Red Haired Girl. As we were leaving some of the staff were performng. If they offer to play for you tell them you dont want to put them to all the trouble.

As much as I hate to tell the world about this little gem, I also want to extoll their virtues.
Located directly underneath the Ranelagh LUAS stop, this unassuming café/​restaurant doesn’t look like much from the exterior, stepping inside the door initially it looks small and a bit cramped with walls and shelves stuffed with authentic Italian delicacies and specially imported Italian fare.
Dublin is awash with Italian style restaurants and I have yet to find a classic Italian pasta dish to die for — usually Irish versions are typically Carbonara style affairs with too much low quality cream and not enough flavour.
Well Pinnocchio stands far from the maddening crowd of Italiano wannabees!
This place really offers the real deal, Italian fare drenched in flavour and drowned in authenticity.
Ooh where to start, their sea-​food dishes are sublime, their pastries are delicious and their coffee tastes just like a proper cup of café should!
I would recommend having the fish main, Pesce Spada Alla Grigla Con Salmoriglio (Grilled swordfish served with salmoriglio, a fresh sauce made with capers, anchovies, red onion, black olives, flat parsley and fresh tomato. Served with mix of grilled vegetables). To say this dish is a taste sensation would do it a severe injustice.
But really what makes Pinnocchio stand out (apart from the food) is quite simply the superior service, the warmth and friendlyness of the staff is refreshing to say the least.
Ireland of the Welcomes is severely lacking good service in the hospitality industry and Pinnocchio would put many an Irish dining institution to shame with the level of customer service and attention to detail that it gives every single customer. The genuine warmth and hospitality that the staff convey makes dining in Pinnocchio a really great experience.
Other little touches which are very appreciated are small things like receiving a complimentary pastry with your take-​away coffee to getting a complimentary platter of anti-​pasto to compliment your bottle of Valedobione Prosecco!
But don’t just take my word for it, try it out yourself and maybe don’t tell too many people for fear that the next time you go you won’t get a table in what is possibly the best Italian restaurant in Ireland.

I have only just found out that the pastry chef in Pinocchio has left… and the new pastries just aren’t that great. The coffee still is though!

As a dining experience Pinocchio takes you from one contention to the next. First of all the premises are beneath the Ranelagh Luas stop. You wouldn’t be being unreasonable in saying that the premises are nothing more than a booth, just like you find many drinks or confectionary booths beside other Luas or train stations. I, as somebody who was looking for good quality food in Ranelagh one day and knew zilch about Pinocchio at this time deemed it from its exterior appearance as nothing more than a casual café, the only distinctive features I could perceive from the outside was neat wooden paneling that appeared on the walls, but even that certainly wasn’t extraordinary enough to entice me in and part with my cash. It was only when a trusted friend recommended it to me claiming the food was ‘sizable and impeccable’ that I ventured in finally, yet with some trepidation I must admit. To begin with I was convinced they were referring to somewhere else, her high praise couldn’t be affiliated with what I thought was an unremarkable snack bar, surely. It’s a shame that such a dodgy exterior can instill such misgivings in you. It is when the food was served that the flip side of this ‘contention’ that I mentioned made itself known. The food was amazing. This really is bona fide Italian cuisine devoid of any shortcuts. In the minds of the dedicated staff here it would be sheer profanity to act in a way dishonourable to the Italian authentic flavours and ‘gastronomia’ eminence this place are doing their emotional best to recreate. The effort they go to to expand your dining experience and deliver excellence is very demonstrative, for example if any meat features in the dish you ordered then it is taken straight from the fresh deli counter open to public view. For the starter my friend and I shared a Carpaccio di Polipo con Patate E Fagiolini that positively stimulated our senses. The Octopus carpaccio, served with boiled potato and green beans was dressed with olive oil, lemon, salt and a pepper emulsion for € 10.90 was a triumph. For mains I went all out with a duck breast flavoured with an exciting array of herbs, red grapes and marsala, served with pumpkin strudel. The price of the mains was € 23.00 which is certainly not cheap but it was utterly delectable and certainly a sizable portion. After the starter then the mains I was stuffed to the brim with the most excellent quality Italian cuisine I had tasted for a very long time. Again, riddled with contention, once you get inside the food is marvelous but that’s in the face of lackluster décor and the service is impeccable and exceedingly attentive in spite of the aloof feeling the bare interior gives off. Had the décor been snugger the whole experience would suddenly have wings whereas, despite the culinary triumph it remains stagnant owing to something about the setting that just doesn’t add up.
NB/​The restaurant has Wifi so you can take in your laptop and surf the net whilst delighting in a creamy, supreme Italian coffee.

Got a bunch of friends and nowhere cool to go for dinner? Try Pinocchio in Ranelagh for a lovely, relaxed, very very Italian setting.
The restaurant is so cool and decked out head to toe with Italianarama. Particularly like the awesome map of Italy over near the coffee machine.
These guys are open for breakfast lunch, dinner, and of course, wine time! Grab a glass of pinot or prosecco for around a fiver, or a beautifully made (and poured right in front of you) latte.
If you order anything cheesy or meaty they cut the meat right then and there from their deli section, so you know it’s all fresh and not taken from a Tesco packet.
Dinner is a little on the expensive side so I haven’t tried it yet, saving my pennies for that one ;-)