Del Fino, a new restaurant from long-standing Dublin chef Alan O'Reilly, has opened on Camden Street, next door to Hang Dai. The food's being billed as "eclectic", and the dishes that O'Reilly loves to cook, but there's a definite emphasis on Italian, with pasta, risotto and gnocchi all featuring on the opening menu, as well as seafood specials and the current darling of the Dublin dining scene, côte de boeuf.
Alan O'Reilly is well known amongst veterans on the Dublin dining scene. He used to own Alexis in Dun Laoghaire, before moving to Wildside café in Cabinteely after Alexis closed during the recession. Both received much acclaim, with O'Reilly's cooking described by critics as "outstanding" and "exceptional".
Recently, he's been consulting at China Sichuan in Sandyford, and we're told that his encouragement of the Chinese chefs there to express themselves and their cuisine has been instrumental in taking the food to the next level. A definite Chinese influence can be seen on the menu at Del Fino, with dishes like "wafu" beef - thick cut tenderloin with fermented pimento and pignoli (pine nuts).
We love the sound of the fermented potato beignets with romesco, the caesar salad with proper anchovies (ask for extra) and the braised rabbit pappardelle. They'll also have daily specials, and O'Reilly is know for having a special way with game, so sika deer amongst others will feature when in season. You can see the full menu here.
Del Fino is open from 5pm Tuesday - Saturday for dinner only right now, but we expect this to extend to lunch once they're up and running. They don't have online booking available yet but reservations can be made by phone or email.
Del Fino
21 Camden Street Lower, Dublin 2
Ph: 01 4413208
