This is a restaurant review from my previous website from March 2013. It was a special evening as I met my dear friend Paolo Tullio (R.I.P). You will find his review of the restaurant here.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

THIS was a blustery, rainy night that you wouldn’t be leaving a toasty house for, if at all possible. But the promise of an evening in the company of Paolo Tullio, and a quick scan of ‘The Vintage Kitchen’s’ menu was more than enough to get the brolly out.

The Vintage Kitchen is only taking baby steps in getting its name out there in Dublin. However, if they keep the kind of standard we enjoyed, there will be some trouble in getting a table.

Situated on Poolbeg Street, conveniently beside Mulligan’s pub (perfect for a digestif), it’s got a few achingly cool little touches. They play only vinyl records, and you can bring your own which they (might) play. If you’re cool enough. It was joyous to hear The Ronettes in a restaurant.

It’s BYO which made me even more in love. Given the dinner deal was 25 euro for two courses, you can get a very good meal with your own vino for a steal.

Then, the food. My Tasting of Tuna was an utter delight. A perfect meaty tartare, a dainty and delicate tuna brulee and well dressed, crunchy and zingy green beans.

The lamb shank with orzo was soft and melting, but just a little too big to finish. The orzo was perfectly al dente and a good companion to the earthy lamb.

The little baked limoncello cheesecake was a sweet highlight, fluffy and a creamy citrussy finish to the meal.

If you ask nicely enough, the talented head chef might share the recipe for his  heart lifting Limoncello cocktail. It is the closest you’ll get to an Italian summer on a rainy night in Dublin.