Grano's new wine bar A Fianco opens this Thursday, and we'd wager that these 16 seats are going to be some of the most sought after in Stoneybatter - scratch that, in the whole city. Their "little Italian vineria" will have a special focus on Calabrian wines, and a menu of small plates using seasonal ingredients from Italian and Irish producers, and owner Roberto Mungo says he wants it to be "a relaxed and comfortable space for people to enjoy new wines and share a selection of small plates". In other words right up our street.
A Fianco means beside or next to (it's next door to big brother Grano), and they say they've created the food to make the wines shine. The opening menu features dishes (including some Grano classics) like aubergine caponata; anchovies marinated Calabrian style with toasted bread; wild sea bass carpaccio, tuna tartare; scaldanduja (spreadable Calabrian sausage); polpette; and all the Calabrian black pig charcuterie, as well as cheese, and tiramisu for dessert. Expect different types of Mediterranean style crudo fish dishes throughout summer, paired with different natural wines, and before you ask, there's no pasta - we imagine they're working with a very small kitchen.
When it comes to wine, glasses range from €7 - €10, with a decent amount on the bottle list under €40, but there's plenty of big hitters too. It's a who's who of Italian winemakers from "the south", "the centre", "the north" and "Calabria", and we would be a long time getting bored of drinking options in here.
A Fianco opens this Thursday 28th July at 17:00. It's currently walk in only but bookings are coming soon. Get in line.
A Fianco
6 Norseman Court, Manor Street, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7
Open: Tue - Thu 17:00 - 22:00, Fri 17:00 - 23:00. Sat 12:30 - 00:00. Sun 12:30 - 23:00.
