Certainly we were living La Dolce Vita bid time with the Italian food here at this rustic and charming restaurant. As soon as you walk in, the smell of deliciousness tantalizes you and instantly the anticipation of authentic Italian cuisine makes your mouth water.
We were warmly welcomed and chose to seat in the smoking area as it didn’t even have a hint of smoke smell at all. This was an added addition to the original restaurant to have a smoking section that accommodates shisha as well. Judging from the Middle Eastern patrons and there were many having shisha, they were there not only for the delicious cuisine but seems like for good shisha too. I would have loved to try it but I was wonderfully bursting at the seams and didn’t want to consume anything else even if it was only smoke. Which means I will have to twist my rubber arms and just happily come back.
“Now hold onto your seats as this is important. The two most notable dishes hands down is this gorgeous Tartare Di Manzo served on a marrow-out bone, a beef tenderloin with capers, anchovies, shallots and quail egg!. I haven’t seen this presentation before yet found that it was as visually appetizing as it was absolutely stunning”
The friendly, down-to-earth attentive service from the staff was greatly appreciated as it is just as important as the food it is served. Chef du Cuisine, Jacopo Avigo from Italy with years of experience from many countries under his belt, spoilt us with a hand picked Chef’s tasting menu that started with delightfulness to scrumptiousness to unapologetic authentic goodness.
He came and explained every dish starting with Trio Di Bruschette, consisting of fresh tomatoes with olive tapenade, grilled capsicum & caramelised onions and my favorite the mushroom ragu that was earthy and an explosion of taste. The Carpaccio DI Branzino is thinly sliced sea bass with fennel leaves and homemade vegetable pickles, was very light and delicate.
Now hold onto your seats as this is important. The two most notable dishes hands down is this gorgeous Tartare Di Manzo served on a marrow-out bone, a beef tenderloin with capers, anchovies, shallots and quail egg!. I haven’t seen this presentation before yet found that it was as visually appetizing as it was absolutely stunning. And the best Al Gamberi lobster bisque with red prawn carpaccio risotto I’ve ever had. The risotto was al dente, not mushy as risottos can get and the savory fresh caught sea taste of lobster and prawns and creamy bisque was just oh so heavenly and I would come back for with out a doubt.
My partner in crime, usually a steak/chicken protein kind of palette would never try raw meat or fish. I commend him for doing so this time for me and he was stunned how good the beef tartare was and the first time ever could not finish his beautiful Filetto In Autunno steak. He was more than happy that it was served later in our mains as he would not have enough room for the others and would have missed out. It would do no justice to not also praise the Salmone Delicato, absolutely moist and tender salmon fillet with black rice that has a almost sticky rice texture that was, ‘I don’t care I have to unbutton my trousers but I will for this kind of dish’. Well it still doesn’t stop there! Our last, thank God, was the Gamberoni Di Mare was a King Prawn, slow cooked in bisque…Sicilian style. Yes I know…..total gluttony but worth the extra pounds that we will gain from all this.
Finally, of the desserts was raspberry coulis with chocolate mousse in a ingenious large spoon, it is the perfect size as we were already nearing comatose, it allows you to have a taste without the fear of missing out. And the second was presented over dry ice an amazing, perfectly tart Lemon Chill sorbet with mixed berries to cleanse the palette.
By now, you must be able to imagine the taste of all I had relished but don’t just take my word for it but come and feed and satisfy your soul. Andiamo!
