Bellagio, Terenure, D 6.

New kid on the block? Not so much, more like an old kid all grown up. Bellagio Italian restaurant has had an unbelievable make-over, and the result is very impressive. Paolo is a long time fan of this neighbourhood restaurant, but with a new look and more capacity we think it’s appeal can only spread. Did we mention the two course lunch for €9.95. As good a reason as any to walk over broken glass to get here.

The new look is all glass and marble, with a huge plate glass window onto the street. Inside there are cream and chrome leather chairs, dark wood tables, mosaic tiling and large silver framed mirrors. The kitchen is totally new and shiny and completely open plan. There is also a large coffee dock cum bar as a focal point in the room.

We went along on a Friday to try the new lunch menu. As you might expect the menu is short, about five each of starters and main courses. Starters include bruschetta, minestrone soup and a bowl of mussels. The main courses offer three types of spaghetti –pomodoro, arrabiatta and bolognese, as well as cod in tomato and capers and grilled chicken.

Deidre decided to go for the seafood and chose the mussels to start, followed by the cod while I went traditional and had the minestrone soup and the spaghetti Arrabiatta. A bottle of sparkling water completed the order. The water arrived with a plate of freshly baked bread, and we set about making a dip with the olive oil that is present on every table, some black pepper and a drop of balsamic that our waiter immediately offered. We munched away on this until the starters arrived.

Deirdre’s mussels were big and juicy, sitting in a stock of their own juices and herbs while my minestrone was a good example of this simple vegetable soup. The main courses continued to impress – the baked cod was a good portion in a tasty tomato and caper sauce, with plenty of sautéed potatoes. The spaghetti arrabiatta was perfectly cooked al dente with a good kick to the spicy sauce. We finished with two good coffees and great intention to return for dinner.

A very good lunch, and while minestrone and spaghetti under a tenner is good, but perhaps not exceptional value, mussels and baked cod are. No doubt this is a loss leader to get people in and it deserves to work. The food is very good, the service quick and friendly and professional and the room itself is very cool. Go along and try it, you won’t find any better use for that tenner. The bill for both of us came to €24 to which we added service.