Al Muretto Restaurant — Restaurant in County Mayo

Al Muretto is a strange name, Google translating as "At the Wall"? I am sure there is a story there. But this place certainly doesn't hit the wall. This place is very good, serving some good Italian comfort food. Another strange thing was the opening times, 4-10 all week, except on Sunday, where it's all day. We visited on Sunday and really enjoyed ourselves. But we were disappointed to visit a few days later, for seconds, and find it closed. It's hard running a restaurant in Ireland, so I understand, just sad there is no lunchtime opening during the week. I would go right now if I could. One of the best ways to judge an Italian restaurant is the spaghetti Bolognese, a simple dish but very hard to make well. I think they do an assassin spaghetti type Bolognese. Hubby ordered the Spaghetti Bolognese and really enjoyed it. The only criticism I have is that the Bolognese is offered with Penne or Spaghetti. Personally I am not into either, I love the soft texture of tagliatelle and would have preferred that option. Also the sauce was mixed with Parmesan, which was nice, but perhaps too much as it was too cheesy. Wifey tried something more exotic. Wifey tried the Risotto Allo Scoglio, a seafood risotto. Wifey loved this, and still raves about it. I too liked it, but seafood is not my go-to. But Hubby was impressed as it all cooked to perfection, some of the softest calamari I have ever eaten. Honestly there were so many other dishes we would go back for. Things I would love to try, the calzone, chicken and mushroom penne and risottos, the lasagna, the Veal scallops... Every time I look at the menu there is more I want. And the desserts are great too. Wifey went with an orange cheesecake, and while she enjoyed it. It wasn't for hubby, I didn't think it worked at all. Cheesecake should only be lemon... Maybe rum and raisin only. But Hubby had the tiramisu and it was divine, the mascarpone was so moreish. The only down side was I almost choked on the cocoa dust, you have been warned. Hubby and Wifey would recommend, and would go again and again. What makes this place really good for Families is the range of adult and children's dishes. On the table next to us was a family of three, the young boy ordered a pizza, and by God it was bigger than his head. He only finished half, I hope he had it the next morning for breakfast champions, before school.

On a separate visit. I had the Calzone, often described as a Pizza in a Cornish pasty. Sadly this was not good. The main flaw with this is that they used the shredded pack pasta, which doesn't melt. So when it was served to me all the mozzarella was still cool, and the Calzone was not really hot to begin with. A disappointing dish and I would not recommend it.... However I must say this is a once off and would highly recommend every...

It has long been the opinion of the United nations that the best Italian food to be had in the world is in Ireland . And it has long been heald by the most learned of men that the best Italian restaurants in Ireland are in the country of Mayo. And it is argued strongly by the most intelligent of women in all of Ireland and accepted by all that the best Italian restaurants in Mayo are located in the town of Castlebar. It is the opinion of this reviewer that Al Muretto is by far the best Italian restaurant in the Castlebar area and by extension the world.

Located close to the constituency office of the former leader of the 26 counties state, he who lead us out of recession and attempted to charge the Irish people for water the cheek of him, AL Muretto is a friendly family place where they offer to put pepper on your food, explain the menu and help you put your jacket on your back. As someone who has a minor disability with their arm the latter was very much appreciated.

AL Muretto score highly on the small and the big points. How the food is presented, the ambience, the taste, the smells, the sence of time becoming non existent as a first time visitor walks away feeling like...

Fantastic little Italian in the heart of Castlebar. The staff are a cut above nearly any restaurant I can think of being in. Really a great attentive bunch. The restaurant has a nice vibe to it. The tiramasu dessert is fantastic along with some of my other favourites like the creamy garlic chicken dinner, carbonara and the creamy garlic wings. The brunette is so fresh and tastey!

Only negatives I can think of is the Pizza. The pizza should be so much better for a place that's so good. I think management need to go back to the drawing board completely with the pizza, how it's made, the dough and the toppings used. I'm not the only one in town that that's a big fan of the restaurant who thinks the pizzas need to be completely revamped.

Maybe update the menu from time to time also. Been in a million times to the same menu over the years, which isn't a bad thing when it's so tastey!! but still...