Meal Ticket: That’s Amore, Co Dublin

That’s Amore is one of the most authentic Italian eateries in Dublin and even its endearingly cheesy name can’t take that away. Squeezed into a tiny space in Monkstown village, just a short walk from the Dart station, this vibrant little restaurant is bursting with the flavour and personality of Italy.

Owners Silvia Leo and Marco Valeri run an Italian Deli out of this space too, which means that the ingredients for lunch and dinner are flown in from their favourite suppliers from the homeland.

They have one of those huge books of a menu with plastic pages filled with some familiar favourites and some dishes slightly less travelled; there’s antipasti misto (€11.50) alongside a carpaccio di pesca spada (€11.95 for sliced smoked swordfish). There is homemade gnocchi, tonnarello and penne on the pasta menu (ranging in price from €11.95 to €16.95).

The pizzas are hand-stretched and stone-baked. They’re also enormous. Try the Capricciosa (€14.95), a grilled artichokes, boiled egg and Parma ham beauty that will take up nearly the whole table yet somehow you won’t be able to stop yourself from eating it all. Without help.

There are daily specials as well, and the fluffy slice of creamy tiramisu (€6.95) I had there was one of the best I’ve had ever eaten. There is a smattering of chairs outside and, if you crane your neck, you can just about see the sea.

Expect squished but convivial patrons, charismatic pizza chefs and that sense of la dolce vita the minute you walk through the door.