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Review
Siroccos Restaurant Tullamore is a family run Italian restaurant located at the end of Patrick Street, easily recognisable from its red exterior and the very attractive outdoor dining area for those balmy sunny evenings. Once inside the setting is intimate and the atmosphere welcoming. The open working kitchen, low ceiling and buzzy feel make this a restaurant you will come back to time and time again.
I visited with my family and once at a window seat in the corner, we left the rain and wind outside. A basket of warm breads with a selection of soft butter, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, plus a jug of iced water with mint and lemon arrived and we grazed as we read the menu.
The wine menu has a good range of choice from traditional Italian wines to French and new world. With prices starting at €18.95, exceptional value is offered. The dearest on the list is the Valpolicella Superiore at €36.50, and you will also find special offers to please all purses. Frequently in the current financial climate we see wine lists shrinking and quality disappearing but this wine list has stood firm and offers value. We ordered drinks to start, and as the designated driver for the evening I had a glass of Pinot Grigio while Fred stayed with bottles of Peroni for the evening and Keisha was very happy with her orange juice.
There is a huge choice of twenty one starters priced anywhere from €2.50 for olives and sunblush tomato to €12.50 for an antipasto platter to share. Of course there were all the classic dishes you would recognise from holidays like gamberi alla limone, calamari fritti and ravioli Verdi.
When it comes to the main courses they are divided between pasta & risotto, steaks & grills and seafood, and were priced from €14.95 for most of the pasta & risotto dishes to €26.95 for the surf ‘n turf. In addition there are eighteen pizzas all hovering around the €12.00 mark. The pasta portions can be had as starters as well as mains, so you can eat like an Italian here. Sirocco’s purchase locally where possible and this is evident on the menu with reference to suppliers of cheeses, meats, etc
I started with the calamari fritti; a large serving of panko coated squid rings served with a wedge of lemon and tartare dip. They were soft inside, not at all chewy and the crispy coating was perfect. It was the ravioli verdi for Fred; oven baked spinach & ricotta parcels in a creamy tomato sauce which were obviously homemade and very light. Keisha wasn’t very hungry, and just munched on some garlic bread.
The bar had been raised so high after starters that we were now really looking forward to the next course. I went with the special of monkfish, which came as a generous portion of medallions served with tiger prawns in a creamy tomato and basil sauce . Fred ordered the surf ‘n turf which was a large fillet of beef filled with tiger prawns and served with both a creamy pepper sauce and a lemon & garlic dip, and both mains came with a choice of sides. Keisha had a portion of the penne all’ arabbiata with prawns which she loved.
When it came to dessert we decided to share a tiramisu as this is my favourite when it’s done right and it was so, so right Fred didn’t really get a look in. He had to content himself with his cappuccino while Keisha enjoyed a homemade brownie with vanilla ice cream.
Sirocco’s is a lovely restaurant to visit, they have just got it right, and with owner Paula and her family at front of house the hospitality
