1 The Parade, Kilkenny, Ireland
Ristorante Rinuccini has been run by the Cavaliere family, Antonio, Marion and their son Riccardo since 1989. They have created an intimate atmospherse, just like being in your sitting room but with a much better selection of fine Italian wines to choose from. Tucked neatly off The Parade in the heart of Kilkenny City opposite the castle is a little piece of Italy that everyone should experience.
There are two tables in the entrance and a further 10 tables in the main room you enter, in total seating 40 people. At no time over the course of the evening were the tables unoccupied with a total mix of both local people and tourists alike, young, old, couples and groups of friends all enjoying good food and company.
In 2004 the Cavalieres’ extended the restaurant to the rear, seating a further 60 people. As I moved through the restaurant it was just one surprise after another and finally entering this fabulous larger dining room over a fully working wine cellar, viewed by the guests through 2 large glass tiles in the floor. This marvelous cellar is home to 70,000 bottles of fine Italian wines at any one time.
The staff couldn’t have been any more charming and aware of all our needs without been overpowering. A bottle of water and a selection of homemade breads were brought to the table for us to nibble on as we perused through the extensive menu. There was a choice between the A La Carte and a set menu, we opted for the set menu which was great value at €26.85 for 3-course and €23.00 for 2-course, only because anything I would have ordered on the a La Carte was also on the set menu.
I enjoyed chicken liver pate which was so creamy and not too strong served with ample garlic and herb bread while both my husband and daughter enjoyed the cream of butternut squash soup, which was really nice – I had to have a little taste.
I then went with fillet steak with pepper sauce on the side (medium rare and truly melt in the mouth) while Fred had the crispy duck served in an orange jus and Keisha has pasta (all their pasta is fresh and cooked to perfection). This was all accompanied with pan fried cabbage in ginger and sliced herb potato chips. We both shared a ½ bottle of pinot grigio which we sipped and chatted and soaked up the atmosphere.
Deserts were far too plentiful so I opted for the waiters favourite which was fresh raspberries with ice cream flambé, if like me you are struggling to choose ask Georgie as his recommendation was perfect. Keisha had a selection of ice cream, which was presented in the shape of a flower. I have never seen anything like the attention to detail here, down to the tables, presentation of the foods, even little things like hairspray in the ladies.
Riccardo was truly attentive all evening and worked the floor like the perfect host ensuring to speak to everyone over the course of the evening.
Just to finish off the evening Fred had a glass of Hennessy and I enjoyed a latte and Keisha a tea, we just didn’t want to leave. But like it is said all good things come to an end and we will certainly be back and recommending that all our friends or anybody visiting Kilkenny make sure the take one evening out to experience Ristorante Rinuccini…
