We had just had an exceptionally poor experience with Firehouse pizza down the road, I was hangry…read more(hungry and angry), no one does hangry like a short, fat balding man..
As we stroll home with the hound, Bianconis catches my eye, a place I have passed hundreds of times but never tried, now felt opportune.
Clearly it would be a case of 'no dogs allowed', but we were keen to try the place. So, I do what any responsible pet owner would do, tie the dog to the tow bar of a passing car and let him get a bit of exercise as we dine.
I loved it, really; the staff, the décor, the food, the wine, the ice cream counter, the shop....all of it. It is completely unpretentious, comfortable in its own skin, brilliant.
I had lasagne, wifey had carbonara, we shared chips (because we are Irish) and a glass of wine each. 45 euro all in, which wasn't bad. The lasagne was served with a garlic bread I haven't tasted in years, made on olive oil, fresh garlic and home made bread baked in a pizza oven; something i remember fondly from my own time in the restaurant trade.
We weren't there for long but long enough to know we'll be back
As we leave a car passes with a dog tied to the tow bar, it's not ours but close enough, so I unhook him and we wander on. At some point I'm sure we will swap it out for the right pet, it's a good system and means they get lots of fresh air.
Just as we are getting acquainted with the new canine a familiar silhouette is cast on the wall, I look around and there stands Bjorn, my fictional Scandinavian companion who pops up from time to time.
"1,000 reviews Q, that's a lot for a short man, you must be exhausted"
I agree but point out that I have let neither lack of quality nor accuracy stand in my way, "quantity all the way Bjorn!"
He nods sagely, looks as though he is about to say something insightful, thinks better of it and invites me to take a seat.
"Isn't that your dog?" he asks as a Ford GT passes trailed by a panting pooch
"No", I reply, "mine can't run that fast".
We sit back, Bjorn and I, watching the fastest dachshund ever recorded go over the bridge and into the sunset.
Previous Bjorn reviews:
900 reviews: http://www.yelp.ie/biz/keel-sandybanks-keel?hrid=jqq4y-Ttf0WwUPmIgA18JQ
800 Reviews: http://www.yelp.ie/biz/colosseo-roma?hrid=s2xjv59eoUR7mpkyj5LAkw
700 Reviews: http://www.yelp.ie/biz/next-door-off-licence-dublin?hrid=RHOFRhIvh8EIPebmfdlXdQ
500 Reviews: http://www.yelp.ie/biz/residence-dublin?hrid=HXGfO0v6VQfcjhda9qt_ww