Chef Manuel and Roberto the waiter at Il Vicoletto Italian Restaurant in Dublin.
You know those nights when the proverbial stars align and everything is perfect in the world? Well, Friday night was one of them. It was our first day in Dublin and surprise–it was actually sunny. Zanne, Kathy and I met up with Maria, a friend from Stockholm who now lives there. So we were ready for fun.
Maria recommended one of her favorite places for dinner–an Italian restaurant in the Temple Bar area called Il Vicoletto. The place was absolutely packed when we got there, so we opted to wait for our table at The Foggy Dew pub next door.
The “20-minute” wait turned into over over an hour. But dinner was worth the wait. From the moment we sat down, the service from Roberto was charming and helpful. He recommended an amazing wine– La Mirandola Chianti Classico. And the meal was oh so very good. I had spicy prawns, ravioli stuffed with feta and spinach and topped with arugula and parmesan. The tomato sauce was light and flavorful and truly, the best I’ve ever tasted.
In talking to chef Manuel Morsiani about it later, I asked what his secret was. “You have to find the right ripeness of tomatoes.” From there, he cooked garlic with tomato paste, vegetable stock and tomatoes. Last, he added the basil and simmered the sauce for five or six hours. Manuel’s father is a Michelin-star chef from Bologna, “the culinary capital for pasta.” And it seems Manuel has inherited his father’s touch as Taste of Ireland said, “Il Vicoletto is one of Ireland’s best Italian restaurants, and when it comes to pasta in particular, Manuel is somewhat of a genius.”
I have to agree. And I could not have been happier to sample his genius.
Zanne's grilled vegetables looked almost too perfect to eat.
My shrimp appetizer was just the right amount of spicy.
And the ravioli with tomato sauce was the best I've ever had.
Dessert was chocolate. Of course.
Roberto decanting the wine with finesse.
{ 4 comments }
Mmmm good stuff! And Il Vicoletto is not to be missed when in Dublin!
Wonderful!!!
It was fabulous. Thanks so much for taking us there Maria!
Thank you so much for the beautiful words .. It was a pleasure to have you in our restaurant and we hope to see you soon again …
And thank you Manuel. It was a pleasure to meet you–and to try your cooking!
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