Manifestino

I’ve visited twice now, the first time I just wasn’t in pizza mode (What. The. Hell. was wrong with me?! The second time I made up for that by absolutely devouring almost every crumb of my pizza.
The restaurant is a small enough space so it’s always advisable to phone ahead and book.
They started by giving us some delightfully greasy little garlic bread bites… these are unbelievably addictive! Tthey are very much known for the pizzas but they also offer some great pasta dishes. On my first visit I went for the spaghetti with half lobster cooked in cherry tomato sauce. Presentation was great, well cooked pasta that still held a bit of bite and a decent portion of lobster to accompany it — and most importantly, it tasted great! My partner had the veal escalope, lined with parma ham and sage in a white wine sauce which was served with roasted potatoes. The little roasted wedges were lovely but I’m not a huge veal fan so didn’t venture to taste it!
We finished this meal with a beautiful Tiramasu, stunning presentation & it tasted divine.
On my more recent visit I was allllll about the pizza! We were suitable hungover and wanted major soakage. I went for the Alvaruccio pizza, which has cherry tomato, cep mushrooms, porchetta and rocket salad… I should really have moved the rocket for the sake of the picture but safe to say there were lots of toppings and the mushrooms were fab. The base wasn’t thin but wasn’t quite as crisp as I’d like it — other than that it was great and again, a great size, call me a pig but I always want a nice big pizza!
The BF went for the Bellissima Udine — a completely unique pizza topped with Italian pork fennel sausage and roasted potato… as usual for him, no cheese! This was delish! Who knew potato on pizza with ground sausage would be a winning combo? :-)
I really like this place, a cute local restaurant with great, friendly staff and really good honest food — if you are anywhere near the area pay a visit with an empty tummy!

I’ve had a few bad experiences in Manifesto and Lucio, the owner, invited us to try again in Manifestino.
The food was completely different. I can know see why people were so shocked that I didn’t like the restaurant. Before, the food was inedible, to put it mildly, but on this occasion it was absolutely delicious.
Lucio explained to us that he sources his flour, made from hazelnuts, from Italy and he often runs out as it’s so popular. The company he sources it from do not export to Ireland and the laws regarding gluten content and contamination are different. It’s such a pity because I would definitely buy this flour.
I had bruschetta previously and decided to go for this again. I had to get my other half to check it tasted gluten free to him because I was amazed, and honestly, at this point, I don’t really remember what real bread tastes like! Not only did the bread knock me out, but the mozzarella was amazing: it was light, fluffy, and just melted dreamily away in the mouth. My other half had an avocado, orange, and prawn dish. I’m not the hugest fan of prawn, but the dish worked really well together.
For mains, we obviously ordered pizza! The base was light and fluffy, with a contrasting crispness underneath. My favourite part of a pizza is the crust. I judge all pizza’s this way, so I began by tearing the crust and it came away so easy revealing a gorgeous doughy texture in the middle. Besides the base, the toppings were drool-​worthy. This was a totally different dining experience than we’d had before. We ate half a pizza each. I’m pretty sure it was because we just stuffed ourselves to filling point.
We had asked the waitress how big they were and decided to order two. We had ordered two previously and were capable of eating them at that time, but we totally wrong on this occasion: we couldn’t finish either, but for completely different reasons. They were so deliciously filling.
However, Manifestino does take away, so we got the rest to-​go!
So, there we were: two stuffed people at the table not even contemplating dessert when the image of gooey centred chocolate soufflé thing was tempted our way. We caved. I don’t regret it!
Over all the atmosphere is intimate in Manifestino. It’s a smaller venue than Manifesto, tastefully decorated, and the staff were really helpful with the menu. Their tables in the front were pushed together for a group booking, so you don’t have to be in a couple to dine here. But, there are lots of couple tables along the side for a nice date evening.
Located in Rathgar, Manifestino will definitely be a restaurant I’ll be using. They offer take-​away pizza, so I’ll be popping up in the car from time to time to indulge! I will definitely be back to taste their pasta, which they also make on the premises!

Say it ain’t so.
We had a lazy day and didn’t want to cook or go out, and were trying to decide where to order delivery from, and I thought of Manifestino. I checked their website, and they do offer delivery, grand. We had some leftover pasta, but ran out of salmon to go with it, so we ordered a few starters from their nice selection, including meatballs to fill the protein part of the equation, and had a wonderful meal.
The bad news — the delivery guy gave us their new menu that starts Tuesday, and all of their pasta mains are gone, pizza only, and the starter choices are changed and a couple of our favourites are gone.
Oh well, they do have good pizza, but it’s always nice to have options. I will miss the ravioli and the delicious shrimp in pesto sauce.

A delicious, easy place for us to eat – we were staying in Rathgar, and it was easy walking distance. Pizza crust is some of the best I’ve ever had (try the one with fennel sausage and broccoli rabe, though be aware that unless they say they have tomato sauce, these pizzas do not.)
They also deliver until 11 pm – SO useful in Dublin, where many things close, and even the local pubs stop serving food at 9.
Also worth noting: we made a special request of a salad made with mostly rocket (or as we in the uncultured States call it, arugula), and received a beautiful, custom made salad, totally fresh and delicious.

Super pizza.
Paper thin, slightly charred base.
Not smothered in cheese and toppings.
Pizza as it should be

Great really italian place in Rathgar. Most of the dishes are also available in gluten free version for coeliac people and the starters are simply amazing and authentically italian. Good prices and delivery is available near the take away. Few tables available.