In Ramacca, Sicily, brothers Andrea and Luca Licciardello were born. In 2022, they partnered with Paul Foley of the Corkscrew to inaugurate Amuri, an Italian eatery located above the off-licence shop on Chatham Street. By the end of 2023, the Corkscrew had migrated to the former Dublin Corporation Weights and Measures edifice on Harry Street, a building previously occupied by Berry Bros & Rudd for several years.
The squad revamped the traditional property into a vibrant daytime easy-going café, titled Amuri by Day, vending focaccia sandwiches and paninis. They also perceive it as a Salumeria, offering customers freshly sliced cured meats and cheeses purchasable by weight, demonstrated behind a vast glass deli case.
The Focaccia, procured from OakSmoke bakery, undergoes fermentation using a poolish – a sourdough starter based on rye flour comprising one per cent of yeast. This bread is 73 per cent hydrated and goes through a five to six-hour fermentation process before being cooked at 260 degrees in a polin stratos electric deck oven.
On-site dining is facilitated with a few stools for customers who wish to relax to the melodies from an Italian radio station.
The food order included a pistachio arancinu, a porchetta focaccia, a vegetarian focaccia, and a pistachio cannoli. Unfortunately, the panini option was depleted by the arrival of our visit.
The cafe’s service was impressive, aided by a team of friendly and competent staff.
Was the fare palatable?”
In this text, we’re discussing a relatively sizeable arancinu that has a golden, crispy exterior and a cheese-filled middle that is quite supple. The substantial focaccia sandwiches are sliced into two halves. Their crust features a golden hue enriched with olive oil, while the crumb has a spacious, inconsistent pattern of holes. Inside, you’ll find a heap of porchetta – sliced from a substantial roast – covered with Provolone, a leaf or two of iceberg lettuce, and tomato. However, I had unintentionally forgotten to request the absence of truffle mayo. The focaccia option for vegetarians is definitely a savoury delight, embracing smoked Scamorza, lettuce, ripe tomatoes, olives, aubergine, ricotta, and a dash of red pesto. We mustn’t forget the canolo, a genuine Sicilian import, generously topped with pistachio-flavoured ricotta cream when ordered to retain its crispiness.
How was the food presented?
The sandwiches came wrapped in paper and were handed over in paper bags, while the coffee cups were made of compostable material.
What were the expenses involved?
A meal for a duo cost a total of €29.50. This included an arancinu al pistachio priced at €5.50, porchetta focaccia and a vegetarian focaccia both at €10.50 each, along with a pistachio cannoli for €3.
Delivery options available?
The outlet offers takeaway services exclusively. Their operational hours are from 8am to 6pm from Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 6pm on Saturdays, and 11am to 6pm on Sundays.
Would I revisit?
Certainly, the focaccia offered by them is exceptional, I was particularly fond of the vegetarian variety.