BORGO is coming to Phibsborough, and ATF Insiders get the first look
- Lisa Cope

- Aug 10
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 13
After months of speculation about what is going into the old Loretta's site in Phibsborough, we can finally reveal that it's BORGO, a new "osteria locale" from restaurateurs Sean Crescenzi and Jamie McCarthy (Hera, Crudo, Achara). And the best part? ATF Insiders will get access to a soft launch a day before opening, with 20% off the bill.

BORGO will be a neighbourhood Italian in the beautifully restored Old Bank Building on Doyle's Corner in Phibsborough — built in 1900 and "full of Venetian architectural charm" according to its new owners. They say its inspired by the deep culinary traditions of Italy, and restaurateurs whose travels have shaped their love for regional Italian cooking, like handmade pasta, wood-fired grilling, sourdough breads, and pizzette (not pizza!).

They're calling the menu "a love letter to Italy", from Bologna's pasta dishes and Parma’s legendary cured meats, to Venice's laid-back lagoon dining and Abruzzo's farm-to-table ethos. They want to blend traditional techniques with top-quality Irish ingredients, and while plenty proclaim to do the same, these guys have already put their money where their mouth is in multiple award winning sites, so we have no doubt they'll do the same here.

The menus still being finalised, but here's some highlights:
BBQ'd padron peppers with Taleggio custard
Burrata with spiced and burnt plums
Wood-fired "carbonara" oysters
7-inch sourdough pizzettes flatbreads, perfect for sharing with antipasti, including 'nduja butter & Cais na Tire', and 'Guanciale, lemon ricotta & Cloonbook Reserve'
Pasta made in house using organic free range eggs, including "THE" Amatriciana (a nod to Sean's Roman heritage)
McLoughlin's BBQ bavette
Whole fish
Wild boar chops
Lunch and breakfast will follow once they've got their feet on the ground, and they're aiming to be a seven-day affair like Crudo. They say want to give the neighbourhood a new venue for all occasions, offering the best value possible for the quality of food on offer, and we think this one's going to go down very well with locals, and the rest.

Borgo officially opens on Friday 22nd August, but ATF Insiders get can access to an exclusive preview night on Thursday 21st, with 20% off the menu. We'll send out more details in the next few days, and ATF Insiders will get the booking link directly to their inbox.









