Il Primo 2.0 star review: Myself and my girlfriend ate here recently and called ahead to make sure they were still serving an early-bird, although we were going to be a few minutes late they let us have it, which was nice. The two waiters were very friendly, though they seemed stressed and at points were inattentive, for example when we arrived we were seated upstairs and after given the ala carte menu the waiter disappeared without a word. It was ten minutes before we could get his attention again to get the right menu and drinks.
I had the asparagus soup which was awful, it was a light brown, had the consistency of low-fat milk and tasted like water with a handful of bullion thrown in... Regardless I was starving so I ate it. My partner had the tomato and mozzarella salad which was just a plate of mixed leaves with the odd tomato and blob of mozzarella thrown in.
For mains I had the Salmon Risotto which arrived cold, again I waited a good 5 minutes before I could get the attention of a waiter who replaced it. Taste-wise it did what it said on the tin. My partner had the Oxtail Tagliatelle which was actually quite nice, then for desert we had a panna cotta - I can't remember what flavor it was supposed to be, but that didn't matter because there was literally no flavor to be found and was hard as a rock thanks to too much gelatine.
I just don't understand why places put panna cotta on the menu if they're going to put too much gelatine in - it's a simple recipe, almost impossible to mess up if you use the correct measurements.

All in all a thoroughly underwhelming experience, il primo in this instance lacked any apparent effort or attention to detail on the part of the staff.
Big Fail !

Il Primo 5.0 star review: 5 out of 5. Always. There's nowhere in Dublin like it. Tommy and Vincenzo just makes us feel so welcome every time we walk through the door. Last night we had maybe the best meal there we've ever had there. We ended up going there on a whim as usual, and when we called to make sure they could take us, we were told, the kitchen is closing in a few minutes, but sure come on we'll wait for you. THIS is the kind of attitude that only the better restaurants have.
I was wondering whether Il Primo would jump on the December band wagon and hike their prices up for Christmas, (which I feel is a crude and bad practice. Sure, you might make a few extra quid from newbies walking through the door, but it will also serve to alienate the regular customers.) Although Il Primo is doing a Christmas set menu, its still great value thankfully.
And anyway, didn't I say it was the best meal I had had there? My main course was amazing. I had risotto with pan seared scallops and asparagus. I always say that I have to be in the mood for risotto. Well, last night it was exactly what I wanted. The sauce was creamy and rich and laden with lovely garlic, the rice was nice and firm, and the scallops and asparagus sitting on top had a beautiful charred and glossy appearance. It was simply gorgeous. We got a little after-dinner drink on the house to say Happy Christmas and thanks for being great customers.
Other restaurants could learn a thing or two from Il Primo. Didn't Paolo Tullio once write that the average lifespan of a restaurant is seven years? Il Primo have been open for twenty.

Il Primo 4.5 star review: I've walked passed this restaurant for years and always said I had to dine there, as everyone there (downstairs in the bar area anyway) always looked like they were enjoying themselves. Finally I saw the Irish Times deal and went. I was not sorry. The place was buzzing, pretty full with an excellent atmosphere. The food was superb and service very good. I had the Pan-fried marinated sirloin, wild rocket and parmesan shavings to start – delicious, and an excellent sirloin steak with blue cheese for mains and a lovely polenta torta for desert. Excellent mean and I would highly recommend this restaurant.

Il Primo 3.5 star review: Although we have been here many times in the past sitting downstairs by the bar, it was the first time that we've had a 3-course meal sitting upstairs. I ordered the rocket salad with strips of beef and parmesan shavings. It was as good as always and I also make this dish at home. My husband had bruschetta with garlic prawns which he enjoyed very much, although he didn't get much garlic. We ordered the beef pizza and haddock risotto as main courses. The pizza was nice, the haddock risotto flavoursome but the rice was far too overcooked and I also found a few bones. My lemon almond torta was the star of the night. My husband chose the cheese plate, which was fine. We enjoyed a good bottle of wine. Espresso materialised about 2 minutes after we had ordered it, thus couldn't have been freshly made hence the lack of sufficient crema. The service was friendly, but could be improved upon. For eg we had no cutlery on the table when the main courses arrived and empty plates were left on the table for a long time. Other than that it was an enjoyable evening.

Il Primo 5.0 star review: Best restaurant experience I've had in a long time! I had heard so much about il primo and finally got the chance to eat there last night. My husband and I left feeling like we were walking on air. With 3 very young children we don't get to eat out as much as we used to and as big foodies when we do get to eat out now we really want everything to be perfect - and it was!
We really loved the atmosphere - ate downstairs which was very buzzy but still managed to be romantic, just what we were looking for. Head chef Anita Thoma really took care of us and really makes you feel like each and every guest is valued.
The food was sublime and SO much of it - the prawns for our bruchetta starter were so plump and juicy and my main course seafood & asparagus tagliatelle and my husband's dry aged beef & blue cheese pizza was best pizza he's ever had. Thankfully my husband isn't into deserts so I had 2 - the tiramisu and a beautiful torte. Best part of the meal though was my husband's cappuccino which I also sipped - no sour taste here, just a lovely richness that lingered in our mouths for ages after we left.
We'll be back!

Il Primo 5.0 star review: I couldn't recommend this place more. Myself and my boyfriend have become serious regulars recently and although the food IS excellent (glamorous Italian food served in a frill-free fashion), I think we go more for the experience than anything else. The service is outstanding. The wines are delicious. (Anything Tommy suggests is what we order). The decor is simple and sophisticated. Upstairs has a trattoria vibe, while downstairs has a bit of bustle (and you also get to see into the kitchen which I love.) Il Primo is swiftly turning into my favourite place to eat in Dublin.

Il Primo 5.0 star review: Had brunch in Il Primo with a gang of friends on Sunday. The place was lovely, chilled and relaxed. I had the roast lamb which was cooked to perfection - crispy and pink. I was jealous of my pals steak and eggs but the raclette topped rosti was the big hit.
We will make this a regular haunt on Sundays. Going back soon.

Il Primo 4.0 star review: We had our office Christmas dinner here. Very few of my colleagues have been and were pleasantly surprised. The game lasagne was nice, but a bit dry and not up to the usual pasta standard. The risottos however, were excellent. Although I don't like boozy tiramisu's, this could have done with more alcohol. The service was good.

Il Primo 1.0 star review: I went back to Il Primo to give it a second chance, but it was disappointing like the first time. The staff was ok and friendly enough in a busy night, the place was dark and cold. We got a grill vegetable salad, (small, not enough dressing or vegetables) and a seabass fillet that said on the menu pan fried, wich it was not, was baked in the oven with no seasoning, cold and served on a cold plate. Food is disappointing in a restaurant with such a reputation, and I will not be back in this restaurant.

Il Primo 5.0 star review: Went with a group of 11 to Il Primo on Wednesday night. The food and service was fantastic. The place was really busy but that did not affect the service. The Waiters were so nice and helpful. There was a lovely atmosphere in the restaurant and all of our party loved the dishes that they had. I had the Bresaola with Rocket and Parmesan as a starter. This was well seasoned and had a really nice dressing. I had the slow cooked dry aged beef with truffle mash and peroni onion rings for a main course. The beef was really tender and melt in the mouth. The portions were very generous. I couldn't fit a dessert but just about managed the cheese with fruit chutney. We all had a great time and we would definitely return. I would seriously recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants to have a really good food experience