Review on Café Paradiso
'Here is a restaurant which treats food with wit, knowledge, spirit and enjoyment… it just happens to be vegetarian.' So wrote Matthew Fort in The Guardian after a visit to Denis Cotter and Geraldine O'Toole's trailblazing venue a few minutes' walk from University College.
Self-styled 'owner cook' Denis Cotter scours the globe for culinary inspiration and makes admirable use of organic raw materials for a diverse and challenging menu that defies expectations: just consider carrot, almond and Feta terrine wrapped in vine leaves with gingered cucumber and mango salsa and fennel crispbreads, for example.
Other inspired offerings might include couscous-crusted aubergine with spiced pistachio filling, sweet pepper salsa and sea spinach with citrus, cumin and chick peas or an almond pastry galette of spinach and Knockalara sheep's cheese with sweet harissa sauce, coriander-crushed potato and braised fennel. By comparison, desserts sound pretty straightforward (poached rhubarb with vanilla set custard and orange shortbread cookies, for example).
The eclectic wine list gives top billing to exceptional bottles from Bridget Healy's native New Zealand, although it's a worldwide slate with a healthy showing of organic bottles dotted among the rest. Note that the Paradiso Rooms now provide contemporary boutique-style accommodation directly above the restaurant.
Café Paradiso is also featured in: Michelin Guide
Rate this RestaurantCuisine
Vegetarian
Chef
Denis Cotter
Restaurant Opening Times
Dinner: 5.30 - 10.00pm Mon-Sat
Accepted credit cards
Visa, Master Card, American Express