Looking for a great Dublin Restaurant?
Then look no further. Situated beside the Millennium Foot-Bridge on Wellington Quay, and overlooking the River Liffey, with views of the Halfpenny Bridge and the Customs House, The Italian Corner restaurant is a delightful culinary haven of tranquillity. It is a family-run Dublin restaurant and is personally managed by proprietor Danny Byrne.
Greeting
On Saturday 9th September 2011, I arrived at the Italian Corner Restaurant at 1pm. Upon entering the Italian Corner Restaurant I was immediately greeted by a very pleasant female member of staff, “Welcome to the Italian Corner”. I was shown to a table that faced out onto the River Liffey and Millennium Bridge. I was given a menu and the specials were clearly explained. A jug of fresh cold water was placed on the table and I was asked if I would like a beverage from the well stocked bar.
Decor
The Italian Corner Restaurant is tastefully decorated with bright and interesting wall art depicting Roman mythology and history. The interior is best described a chic with clean lines and minimalistic lay out.
Ordering and Service
Having had a couple of minutes to consider the menu and the specials, a staff member returned to take my order. I ordered the vegetable soup for a starter and the Pollo Ripieno chicken for a main course, both chosen from the specials menu. The soup was served shortly after 1.05pm and was accompanied by two slices of crusty bread, the staff member asked if I would like some seasoning, which I declined preferring to taste the soup in its presented form. The soup was excellent, spicy, hot and beautifully complemented by the crusty bread. On a cold day this was just what I needed, the efficiency of service meant that I was quickly warmed up and able to relax and enjoy the view of the River Liffey and the many people passing over the Millennium Bridge.
Busy
By 1.15pm the Italian Corner Restaurant was filling up quickly, the front of house staff while lean in number, never faltered in their meet and greet routine. Families, couples and individuals were greeted and seated within a well rehearsed/practised time frame.
The Rest Room
As I waited for my main course I decided to use the time to check-out the real test of any eatery, the Restroom. The gent’s rest room was clean; there was soap, tissue paper and a working hand drier. The one suggestion I would make in relation to the rest room is to take the ‘Cleaning Check List’ off the back of the main door and place it in view of those using the rest room, I would also suggest that restroom checks are insufficient, there needs to be regular checks, at least morning, lunch and tea time, this would ensure that pieces of tissue paper and so forth could be cleaned up.
The other observation that I made was the ability of customers to view the pantry/kitchen area on their way to the rest room, this could be addressed by hanging a specially designed hygiene curtain in the short corridor leading to the pantry/kitchen area. In conclusion the rest room area was clean, functional and well maintained.
Delay
There was a fairly significant delay until my main course was delivered, the main course was delivered at 1.45pm, and this was approximately thirty minutes after the starter had been cleared from the table. I found this delay excessive as the Italian Corner Restaurant was filled to capacity at this time and I think the restaurant could benefit from a faster turnover of seat occupancy.
Family Friendly
As a young family were seated at a table, a member of staff immediately brought the young child in the group some colouring crayons and pictures to colour in, this family friendly attention was heart warming and welcome in an often over commercialised world.
The Main Course
The main course was well worth waiting on, Pollo Ripieno, which is succulent chicken breast stuffed with spinach, smoked mozzarella, mushroom cream and served with Mediterranean Mash. The portions were ample and the combinations of tastes were complementary and mouth watering.
Ambiance
The soft background music made the ambiance of the Italian Corner Restaurant second to none that I have visited in Dublin over the years.
High Standard
I finished my main course at 2pm and my table was promptly cleared and my cup of tea served without delay. While the Italian Corner was filled to capacity at 2pm the front of house staff continued to deliver to a high standard.
The Bill
My bill was just over nine Euros which made my meal good value as well as a culinary delight.
Mystery Diner scoring system dasher©
The Italian Corner Restaurant 9/9/2011
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | |
1 | |||||||||||||||
2 | |||||||||||||||
3 | |||||||||||||||
4 | |||||||||||||||
5 | |||||||||||||||
6 | * | * | |||||||||||||
7 | |||||||||||||||
8 | |||||||||||||||
9 | * | * | * | ||||||||||||
10 | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * |
1-15 (across) Category: 1-10 (down) Score: Total * Score 139<150
Mystery Diner Checklist 2011
1. Meet and Greet
2. Menu presentation and explanation
3. Drinks offered and delivery
4. Ordering
5. Starter timing
6. Starter satisfaction
7. Starter service
8. Mains timing
9. Mains satisfaction
10. Mains service
11. Tea/Coffee timing
12. Tea/coffee satisfaction
13. Tea/coffee service
14. Billing
15. Rest Rooms
Dasher 2011©