"Modern décor belies the traditional values at play in this top class Italian bakery. Expect artisan breads, authentic pizzas and delicious treats."

"We could smell the care and attention in the air, and I mean that literally, the smell of dough as we descended the stairs..."

"Food can be healing in many ways. The joy of eating something that tastes wonderful can make you feel great... inhaling the beautiful aromas of something delicious can give you an out-of-body experience. And when you have all of the above, and you're eating something pure, natural and prepared with love, you're in heaven."

"The motto for il Valentino is 'Celebrating Life' and this is visible in everything they do. From Owen and Valentina's passion for good, real food, to the baker's pride in their work and their staff's enthusiasm behind the counter, the happiness is infectious"

"I chose the Moroccan orange cake which was made with breadcrumbs. The cake was delicious, moist, light and the citrus scent went very well with my lovely cup of tea made from proper tea leaves."

"And I continue to love Il Valentino... where everything is lovely. Make the customer feel valued, that's how a place thrives in a recession... it strikes me people who are doing it right, who demonstrate the cliche of the old fashioned Irish friendliness and hospitality and who don't seem to be just interested in grabbing your money and getting you out"

Emailiano Gargiulo, a barista at the Il Valentino coffee shop and bakery overlooking the Grand Canal in Dublin, admires a seven kilo chocolate Easter Egg.

"Owners Owen and Valentina Doorly have been running special winter weekend-themed events since October, and next weekend it's the turn of cakes and breads made using oranges and lemons...while you're there, be sure to pick up some of the Doorlys' fantastic artisan breads - you won't find better anywhere in the city"

"...If you go to Rome, Florence or Naples.. your nostrils are invariably filled with the aroma of good espresso coffee and the unmistakable scent of freshly baked croissants.. Italians living in Ireland longed to experience something like that... Well, Il Valentino Continental Bakery answered their prayers"

"...Il Valentino has become the quintessential source of Italian pa-tisserie and deserts artistically prepared with great imagination and care..."

"Il Valentino is a Aladdin's cave of fresh breads, cakes and pastries... Customers will be forgiven for wondering if they have been transported to the continent."

"...it is the pastries and cakes that are worth queuing for..."

"Doorly has aversion to emulsifiers, preservatives and enzymes: there are four simple ingredients in bread,  you have to ask what are the others for..."

"I met the husband-and-wife team behind the bakery at the Italian Embassy, they were presiding over a spread of food that would make, well, an Italian Ambassador proud."

"This Italian bakery and café has changed life in the Docklands"

"Uno dei primi ricordi della mia infanzia e' il profumo del pane appena sfornato dal paneter de San Dunà dove mia madre mi mandava a comprare i francesini dalla sciura Brambilla..... Ho provato la stessa emozione oggi a distanza di anni entrando da Il Valentino, una panetteria italiana in Grand Canal Square."

"Il Valentino is standing proud on the corner of Pearse Street and Charlotte Quay and so it should. It is not selling the odd Italian fayre, it is Italian all the way, and all goods are prepared from scratch using traditional baking techniques and baked on the premises."