Although it is in the Kildare Village designer shopping outlet, this outpost of the small chain of high quality Italian restaurants run by Dunne & Crescenzi (see Dublin entries) is the only Italian restaurant in Kildare town and attracts diners who may not necessarily be on a shopping spree at all.
Warmly lit, with lots of wood and an outside eating area, this stylish restaurant has a comfortable casual-chic ambience and is well-located within the village, with views of the Grey Abbey ruins, giving it real atmosphere as a dining destination rather than just a place for a quick bite.
You may expect the usual Dunne & Crescenzi signatures - although simple, the food is based on the best seasonal local produce and authentic Italian ingredients, and it is consistently high quality that has earned these restaurants a loyal following: D.O.P. products (EU certified authentic artisan produce) are used, notably cheese, salumi (cured meats), olive oils and vinegar.
Open throughout the day, you can have anything from a wholesome snack (panini, bruschetta or their famous antipasti) to a relaxed dinner: among many delicious dishes offered,slow cooked aged beef ragù with spaghetti and aged parmesan is a speciality.
The vegetarian option, Pasta with fresh tomato sauce, served with a good dollop of extra virgin olive oil and sprinkled with Grana cheese is "a good meal for active children". It even gets a personal endorsement from Eileen Dunne Crescenzi herself, who says “Pappa al pomodoro was a favourite in our home when the children were growing up and now it’s a favourite with our grandchildren.” And quality remains the theme right to the end, as the gelato for your little one is "prepared using all-natural ingredients".
The wine list is not a weighty tome but well chosen, and offers many treats. Very reasonably priced house wines are available by the bottle or glass.
