If you're looking for an authentic Italian experience in Dublin, you might want to pay Fellini's a visit.
The restaurant was opened three years ago by partners Paolo and Emilia, who both come from cooking backgrounds. Paolo comes from the town of Frosinone in Italy, where his father has run a restaurant for more than 30 years, while Emilia was born in Ireland but has Italian heritage.
Paolo and Emilia source their products from both Italy and locally in Ireland. They source their meat from FX Buckley, a family butchers in Deansgrange.
Italy's culinary tradition is ingrained in the pair and they've channelled their combined knowledge into Fellini's menu, with their intention being to create a mix of flavours and variety in a simple fashion.
"We offer Italian dishes that haven't been altered or changed, but served as if our customers are actually in Italy," Emilia told us.
There's a variety of pizzas to choose from, such as the Tricolore Pizza (tomato sauce, Italian buffalo mozzarella, ventricina spicy salami, fresh chilli and rocket salad). Their pizza dough is made fresh in-house daily.
While there's no shortage of the typical cheesy options that you've come to expect, there's plenty more than simply pasta and pizza in this joint. Fellini's extensive menu includes dishes like Milanese di Vitello (deep fried veal in breadcrumbs with
a side order of choice), Tagliata di Manzo (grilled strips of beef fillet on a bed of rocket salad with
cherry tomatoes, Grana Padano cheese 24-month mature
shavings and reduction of Modena balsamic vinegar) and much more.
They also boast a wide selection of wines that should satisfy even the choosiest of connoisseurs.
Navigating the menu can be tough, but the folks in Fellini's are more than happy to help new customers choose if they need some advice, because they believe that being an authentic Italian restaurant isn't just about what food is served, but how it's served too.
They've created a friendly and intimate atmosphere in Fellini's where guests can feel at home, said Emilia, and the owners want to get to know their customers. This social aspect is a central part of traditional Italian dining.
Up to 30 people can be seated inside the cosy restaurant, while a further 10 diners can be seated out front on those rare sunny days.
Its unpretentious, welcoming ambiance makes Fellini's as suitable for a relaxed date night as it is for a family dinner.
When asked why diners should give Fellini's a try, Emilia said:
"To get the feel of being in Italy, through our extensive menus of both food and wine, and to feel welcomed by all our team here. That's what we have to offer."
You don't necessarily have to visit Fellini's to enjoy its dishes, as they also have a takeaway and delivery service which goes to Blackrock, Foxrock, Cabinteely, Monkstown, Dun Laoghaire, Stillorgan and Glenageary.
Fellini's Pasta & Pizza is located at 35 Deansgrange Road, Deansgrange.
