Thrilled to find a nice new local place with good tasty well-priced unpretentious food which I think will suit our family perfectly. I’ve also heard good things from several others.
Italistro opened several months ago and immediately caught my eye because, despite being on a street I rarely visit, they advertised on the side of the building in their lovely brand colours and I see it every time I go through town. However months passed and I still hadn’t tried it.
Today I went for lunch with two of the cool Newsweaver people, Denise and Jennifer and decided to check it out. The decor and colour scheme really catch your eye, they’ve done a superb job. I had been worried about them doing sit-down and takeaway but the areas are separated well.
There was no-one there at 12.45 for lunch which surprised me. We got the lunch menus and I saw a lot I’d be happy having. A good general mix of pasta, pizza, burgers, chicken etc. One thing leaped off the page for me, a meatball/mozzarella/salami pannini. I bloody love meatballs so I had to have it. The others picked pizzas.
The food took quite a while to arrive but where pizza is involved I’m happy to wait. My pannini hit the spot, yum! The price had originally seemed high to me at €9.50 but when the plate arrived with a full bowl of chips and a big bowl of proper salad and tasty dressing, I realised it was a bargain. Reports on the pizzas were good too and they looked gorgeous. We finished off with some good coffees in very sexy cups.
The lack of custom worried me but I was assured it is hoppin at night which I was happy to hear. We have to get our childer fed and watered on Friday before we head off for a quick night away and I’m definitely heading down to Italistro with them.
Bandon is just getting better and better for food. Now all we need is Yo Sushi to open and I’ll be a very happy bunny.
May 30, 2008 at 10:24 am
Was wondering when this might be reviewed! Thanks for this. Will try it at some stage. Equally I never turn left over the bridge… what’s that about?! Must be a bloke thing! There’s a whole other place ‘over the bridge’… perhaps a portal? (Must stop watching John Cusack movies)
I believe the Brogan is due to re-open. No other info to hand. Lets hope the fodder comes back.
FYI Scallys Super Valu in Clonakilty is well worth a visit. Very clean, well stocked and great fresh foods including fish. Check out the cheese counter! I’ve had the dreams for a month from eating so much of it!
May 30, 2008 at 10:34 am
Such a quiet street but you can never get parking on it. I’ve never understood that!
Fingers crossed on The Brogan.
Scally’s Rocks! http://www.loudervoice.com/reviews/748164700
Fish, cheese, game, Gubbeen, Caherbeg, Ummera. Love shopping there.
May 30, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Urru for cheese, Capucciano for breakfast, Seats for lunch, Italisatro for dinner, Bandon is going through an eating out upswing in quality (plus value?), hope it continues!
Shame I have to go to SuperValu in Clon to buy groceries as Supervalu in Bandon is tooooo expensive, with poor choice. Town could use a good bakery, never ever see one anywhere these days.
May 31, 2008 at 5:34 pm
After seeing how amazing local bakeries still are in France recently, I’d kill for a decent one here. Best you can do is some decent loaves in Urru or wherever else the fab Dunmanway people are stocked.
Best thing that could happen to SuperValu Bandon would be for Scally’s to take it over.
May 31, 2008 at 8:59 pm
A bakery for Bandon would be the job! However white bread is the ‘work of the devil’ in our houose at the moment. She-who-must-be-obeyed has put her foot down till my waistline diminishes..
(however if there’s a petition for a bakery campaign needs signing I’m good for at least 2 signatures…)
October 14, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Amazed at comment about prices in Supervalu Bandon as all Super Valus have the same pricing!!! Bandon Super Valu has had an excellent customer revamp and have just won their 3rd Excellence Ireland award for hygiene. This and a knowledgeable and friendly staff have me in there every day.
October 15, 2009 at 7:37 am
Not sure about similar pricing between the 2 SV’s. Definitely price differences. Also (and most importantly in my view) is the quality of fruit and veg. Scally’s wins hands down on choice, presentation, local sourcing and pricing. Bandon SV is not good in this respect. Also Bandon SV tend to have part-timers (including one with a piercing) working on the meat counter at weekends. Check out the meat and fish counter in Clonakilty as well – stunning service.
I have no connection with either store and unfortunately have to say that until Bandon SV ups the quality it’ll be the drive to Clonakilty for me. Pity.