CRITICS CHOICE

Critics Comments:

Over the years we have received many write-ups from various newspapers and magazines.

Here are a few of our favourite pieces...

"Two parts affordable fine dining, one part romantic piano bar and one part yuppie hangout, Malahide's Cruzzo Restaurant provides enough quality and value to overcome the sense of pretentiousness about it. Not that that sense is anyone's fault - when your restaurant is perched at the edge of the Malahide marina, with immaculate views of the estuary and beyond...good value for the quality of food. Throw in the spectacular location, prestine setting and lively atmosphere and you're getting serious bang for your buck in Cruzzo"

Andy Dennehy - Review in You & Your Money Magazine

I have aways felt lucky that Dublin is situated so close to the sea. Cruzzo's obviously feel likwise and have created an breathtaking restaurant overlooking Malahide Marina. Very shiny and professional, this very friendly restaurants is sure to impress. After dinner adjourn to the piano bar and listen to the ivories being tickled.

On this second Saturday in March, it's difficult to appreciate the views from Cruzzo in the rain and the dark. The wind sweeps in from the Malahide estuary and the lights of the restaurant are like a beacon to two lost souls. We open the door and suddenly we're in the middle of the really cool party I always knew was going on in the place I wasn't. That's what Cruzzo is like - lots of pretty people having fun in a state of the art venue. Imagine Roly's crossed with Bang with a bit of Diep thrown in for extra buzz factor and you're getting there. The ground floor is a large bar area with a reception just in the door. They take our coat and we decide to go straight upstairs and return to the bar later. Even on this night without the benefit of the views the dining room is impressive. Large tables are very - with white leather chairs. Staff in blue and black so many. A mezzanine and floor to ceiling windows, this is food meets design and it works. Tables of 12 celebrating, couples and An Taoiseach and friends make up some of the customers this evening. As soon as we reach our table, bread, water and menus arrive and we settle back to order.

The menu contains about ten starters and main courses. Starters include Galway oysters, spiced pumpkin soup and roast baby quail. They are mostly priced around €7-€10 while the mains include Dover sole, sea bass, fillet of beef and roast lamb shank. The main courses are clustered between €20-€30, and after some deliberation on the spiced pumpkin soup I chose the roast baby quail followed by roast lamb shank, while Deirdre went for the Boston Prawn & Vegetable Spring Roll, Pickled Ginger, Bean Sprout & Spring Onion and Pan Fried Tiger Prawns, Steamed Rice, Thai Red Curry.

While we waited for the food, Cruzzo provides ample opportunities for people watching. Somewhere below someone is singing a Rat Pack set and the place feels very alive.

The starters arrive and my quail is tender and succulent, cooked slightly pink with a rich jus and delicate stuffing. I don't taste Deirdre's spring roll, but it disappears quickly. The waitress pops up now and then to replenish water and wine and we get into a conversation with the people at the next table about the quail. I recommend it and we get to chatting about the rest of the menu until the next course arrives. The main course of lamb is hearty and rustic, falling from the bone with a cassoulet of beans and chorizo. Deirdre's prawns are large and tasty, and the thai red curry packs a punch. The curry is served on the side so you can use as little or as much as is wanted. After clearing the plates we take a break while deciding on dessert before settling on a shared crème brulee.

Two coffees complete the meal and we go back to chatting to our new friends from up North at the next table, before the music downstairs finally calls us and we retire to the bar, well fed and happy.

Cruzzo is a night out, not just a meal out. The food is well prepared and the service is professional but friendly. Our bill came to €99 and some change, and I think a trip back for lunch in the summer is on the cards. Take a trip out to Malahide soon, Cruzzo's is a treat

Paolo Tullio (Food Critic)

"Pick up the phone now and make a booking at Cruzzo in Malahide the food is excellent, the staff extremely friendly - It's a genuine treat"

Orla Mulcahy, The Irish Times

"As you approach the Marina at Malahide you cannot help but feel a visit to the Cruzzo Restaurant is going to be special. Its location alone has to be one of the premier sites for such a usage in Ireland"

Forma Interiors

"Looking out across the marina with its many colourful sea-going vessels you could be forgiven for thinking you were on the Cote d'Azur or in some other such exotic holiday destination. The views from Cruzzo, the restaurant on the sea in Malahide Marina, Co. Dublin, are impressive and easy on the eye and are an added bonus to the opulent interior of the building. An ever-popular venue, where one can enjoy delicious, satisfying, food accompanied by fine wines and other beverages, Cruzzo is the place to be seen. The class, sophistication and general ambience of the restaurant ranks with the best in the world, while the efficient, friendly staff caters to your every whim."

Tony Barry, Travel Writer

"Cruzzo is a high modern restaurant, built right in the Marina in Malahide, with incredible light, a perfect showcase for my paintings"

Darlene Garr, Artist

"Dublin's A-List of Celebrants are flocking Northside to sample some of the city's trendiest wining and dining".

Evening Herald

"Whenever we feel we have reached the peak, something more adventurous arrives on the scene, but Cruzzo tops them all".

Brian O' Farrell (O' Farrell Cleere Auctioneer)

"We open the door and suddenly we're in the middle of the really cool party I always knew was going on in the place I wasn't. That's what Cruzzo is like - lots of pretty people having fun in a state of the art venue."