Lucinda O'Sullivan's Ireland

About The Restaurant

Twirling my fork languorously through long strings of fettuccine on my first visit, and popping the results of my efforts into my mouth, I almost had a When Harry Met Sally diner moment.
‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives’ are hot as hell right now and we were in Fellini’s, an Italian eatery, which has become hugely popular since its arrival a year ago. Set back from the road in downtown Deansgrange, you could, I reckon, drive past quite easily, so make sure you don’t, because you would be missing out on Emilia Macari and Paolo di Adamo’s little gem.

A big counter is the focus of the room, behind which chef Paolo is working away, with Emilia in charge on the floor. With a long banquette along one wall and freestanding tables to the fore, it seats just 28 people and, as the place fills up, there is a lovely intimate buzz. Whilst the decor is simple, there are some cool touches with bottles set into the ceiling as lights, and they have really nice wine glasses, water jugs and tableware. They clearly appreciate that there is nothing like a decent glass to enhance a wine.

The menu is extensive and very well priced, with all the popular Italian dishes and then some – all perfectly cooked. It’s always a good sign in ethnic restaurants, if you see people of their own nationality, be it Indian, Chinese, Japanese or Thai chowing down where they know the grub is good and here too you will always see members of the Italian community.

A dozen starters include Caprese salad of Buffalo mozzarella as well as funghi ripieni, calamari fritti and arancini, as well as ‘Gamberetti Deansgrange’ - prawns in garlic, olive oil and white wine.
The antipasto misto is a tour de force set on a big square white plate sporting mozzarella and pecorino cheeses, olives, braesola, mortadella, salami, chargrilled aubergine, courgette, a stuffed mushroom and a croquette. Melanzane alla Parmigiana too is deliciously simple with swathes of aubergine layered with mozzarella, Parmesan, basil and olive oil freshly baked in tomato sauce.
There is an extensive selection of pasta from spaghetti with fresh cherry tomato and prawns, through penne with salmon in a rose sauce, to ravioli al Gorgonzola or salsa rose. Fusilli and rigatoni are there, as is lasagne and mezze maniche. Risottos feature too with prawns or Italian sausages, saffron and onions. There are any number of pizzas, from Tropicana to calzone to a quarto formaggi, which stood up well at neighbouring tables. The list goes on with the Secondi Piatti selection including Straccetti — strips of beef, Pollo or veal Milanese.

On our first visit, from four blackboard specials, I had the fettuccine alla Contadina, the delicious pasta tossed with the meat of uncased Italian sausages, cream of peppers, cream and courgette. It was a dish just bursting with flavour, as was the side order of spinach. Brendan’s 6-oz filetto di Manzo proved a tender piece of meat, perfectly cooked, served with a mushroom and pepper sauce, and a side order of his choice, which was chips.

Homemade desserts on a board include profiteroles, banoffee, cheesecake, and panettone with ice-cream, as well as sinful tiramisu, and one of my favourites - semifreddo al caffe.
Service is always excellent and attentive throughout and as I sit here writing this, I am wondering how soon I can go back without looking like I’m an addict! 

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