It's official, Phibsborough is on the up, and now there's another reason to visit, with the opening of US-style, comfort food serving Loretta's from chef Jimmy Wiley. Jimmy, originally from Colorado, has been working as a chef in Dublin since 2000, most recently in 777 and Dublin Pizza Company, and has opened Loretta's with partner Ciaran Donnelley.
Jimmy comes from a family of cooks and Loretta's is named after his Aunt. Jimmy and his family lived in Phibsborough until recently, and his business partner Ciaran currently lives there. Both felt that the area was in need of a family-friendly restaurant serving great food. Jimmy says his ethos is about not over-complicating things - "I want to cook fresh, simple food made with love and cook with chefs that enjoy what they do."
The menu at Loretta's is described as "comfort food dishes rooted in family recipes from Jimmy's home in Colorado Springs", and we've already heard good things about the pork butt, green chilli, home fries, fried eggs and cilatro - coriander for the uninitiated. Other dishes on the menu include Nashville hot oysters, steak tartare with blue cheese toastie and pickled red onion, and pork hock, pickles, hot mustard and steamed buns. Yes, yes and yes.
Loretta's is open from Wednesday to Sunday, with dinner every night and brunch from Friday to Sunday. Between Loretta's, Two Boys Brew and the newish Legit Coffee Co, we can feel another area guide coming on...
Loretta's
162-165 Phibsborough Road, Dublin 7
Wed - Thu 17:30 - 22:00. Fri 12:00 - 15:00, 17:30 - 22:00. Sat 11:00 - 15:00, 17:30 - 22:00. Sun 11:00 - 16:00.
