Osteria Da Mirco, one of the best and most authentic Italian restaurants in Cork City and County and beyond.
Tuesday evening's dinner at Da Mirco in Bridge Street was one of the best of the year.
Mirco is a great supporter of the best Irish producers and also sources produce from small producers in his home community of Valtellina in the north of Italy. The mountainy area is nearer St Moritz than Milan.
Having considered the dessert menu, we made another decision to share. And it wasn't the house Tiramisu. We were lucky enough to agree on the Panettone Nel Marsala E Pere i.e. Warm Panettone in ‘Bread & Butter Pudding style’ served with poached Pear in Marsala and vanilla cream. "A Christmas classic, reimagined," says Mirco, "Comforting, nostalgic, and unapologetically festive. Mamma Miaaaaaaa!"
Irish producers that are supported here include:
Tagliere da Mirco (Da Mirco’s board) comes with cured meats and cheeses from Valtellina served with giardiniera (mixed pickled vegetables), tomato jam and homemade focaccia. This was our shared starter the other night and is a regular feature here. And, full of different flavours and textures, it is a superb introduction to the evening meal and a tasty indication of the authenticity of your plates here.
No pizzas at Da Mirco but a great variety of pasta dishes on the main courses. I was very tempted by the Homemade Tagliatelle served in a traditional venison ragu recipe (from Valtellina) cooked in a deep venison stock and winter spices. But opted for the Lasagna Gratinata Goccia D'Oro.
Mirco, full of gusto and who you'll see doing front of house, is one of the most warm-hearted owners around, always game for a laugh. This dish is introduced as the "Traditional Christmas lasagna recipe of my childhood": layers of lasagna filled with
sausages, prosciutto cotto, mushrooms, truffle paste and Casera cheese. Another exquisite taste of Valtellina. Just hope he has it on the menu for the rest of the winter.
Da Mirco have been serving this every year since their first winter (2010) in Bridge Street and you can see the man himself enthusing about it here.
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| Lasagna, an amazing dish. |
Having considered the dessert menu, we made another decision to share. And it wasn't the house Tiramisu. We were lucky enough to agree on the Panettone Nel Marsala E Pere i.e. Warm Panettone in ‘Bread & Butter Pudding style’ served with poached Pear in Marsala and vanilla cream. "A Christmas classic, reimagined," says Mirco, "Comforting, nostalgic, and unapologetically festive. Mamma Miaaaaaaa!"
"Born" in Milan, Panettone was once a luxury treat, before becoming a Christmas staple thanks to iconic 20th-century bakers Motta and Alemagna. Today, it’s loved all over the world, but nothing beats enjoying it the Italian way. Have you ever seen Mirco doing his videos? You should! Check him out on their Instagram. Here's one.
Wine? Oh yes, we had wine! Da Mirco have a new system for house quality wine through a collaboration with WINELAB. "We use tap because wines stay fresher for longer time and is sustainable, reducing glass waste and carbon emissions". The white wine on tap is Friulano Vini Stocco while the red is Nerello Mascalese Domus Vini.
A few other wines are available by the glass in two sizes, one 175ml, the other 125. I very much enjoyed my velvety and fruity Primitivo Bocca Della Verita Salento but CL's pick was even better. This was the Antica Enotria Bianco Tuccio Cerignola, imported by Le Caveau. A blend of indigenous grapes (Falanghina and Fiano in perfect harmony) it is light and fresh, packed with elegant fruit and finishing long and refreshing. Absolutely super and well priced also. Cheers. Enjoy the Christmas.
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| Dessert. Pic via Da Mirco |
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