Cruzzo Restaurant, Malahide Marina.

Review

I have aways felt lucky that Dublin is situated so close to the sea. Cruzzo's obviously feel likwise and have created an breathtaking restaurant overlooking Malahide Marina. Very shiny and professional, this very friendly restaurants is sure to impress. After dinner adjourn to the piano bar and listen to the ivories being tickled.

On this second Saturday in March, it's difficult to appreciate the views from Cruzzo in the rain and the dark. The wind sweeps in from the Malahide estuary and the lights of the restaurant are like a beacon to two lost souls. We open the door and suddenly we're in the middle of the really cool party I always knew was going on in the place I wasn't. That's what Cruzzo is like - lots of pretty people having fun in a state of the art venue. The ground floor is a large bar area with a reception just in the door. They take our coat and we decide to go straight upstairs and return to the bar later. Even on this night without the benefit of the views the dining room is impressive. Large tables with white leather chairs. Staff in blue and black, a mezzanine and floor to ceiling windows, this is food meets design and it works.

The menu contains about ten starters and main courses. Starters include Cruzzo fish cakes, seafood chowder, classic Caesar salad and a cocktail of prawn and crab with Mary Rose sauce. They are mostly priced around €€7-€10 while the main courses include corn fed breast of chicken, herb crusted cod and medallions of pork. From the grill there is a selection of steaks, a surf and turf opotion and and the fab sounding grilled skewer of tiger prawns with spiced augergine, mint and honey yoghurt. The main courses are clustered between €20-€30. In addition to the A La Carte, there is a set lunch served between 12.30 and 3.45pm with a scrumptious Set Menu. Enjoy two courses for €23.95 or three courses for €28.95 per person, while the early bird runs Tuesday to Thursday from 6pm to 7.45 and Friday & Saturday's from 6 to 7.15pm, with two courses for €19.95.

Cruzzo is a night out, not just a meal out. The food is well prepared and the service is professional but friendly, and I think a trip back for lunch in the summer is on the cards.