Alberto: Italian, Sydney (14 Dec 2018)

17-19 Alberta St, Sydney NSW 2000
http://albertoslounge.com/
https://www.instagram.com/albertoslounge/

New neighbourhood Italian

First impressions of the restaurant life is nice and cosy supported with good service. Generally love a good martini and the Gibson Martini ($22) using Beefeater London Dry Gin is nicely made with 2 tasty pops of pickled onion although I'd love for 3 considering the price. Drink coasters are noticeably cool with some lovely art. Bucatini all'Amatriciana ($26) is a very tasty dish and what it lacks in size it certainly makes up in flavour. There's a pleasant chilli hum and crispy jewels of fried guanciale pork jowl that are very welcomed. This house made pasta dish is purposely sized as an entree so you can enjoy ordering more so best not to count on this dish alone filling you up. Chocolate Cannoli ($8) has a nice thin crisp texture as hoped matched with good flavour. Apparently they're very proud of their house made gelato as well and I was very tempted by the panna cotta as well.

The Pacific Club, Bondi Beach (22 Sept 2018)

182 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
https://www.thepacificclub.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/thepacificclubbondibeach/

Bondi's new bistro looking good

It's always a promising sign for me when oysters are served shucked to order with all their natural brine. Oysters ($4.50) from Pambula are well presented and achieve my happy place. I also tried the 'The Nut Cracker' cocktail with Macadamia oil washed Tanqueray, Herbs de Provence Vermouth, lemon myrtle ($19). Quite nice, a bit different,  a bit unusual. Would love to see more Aussie artisan gins on their menu besides the usual suspects since the food menu and chef seem to be focussing on native ingredients as a theme. Decor is looking great including the opalescent toilet floor tiles and the fiery coals in the kitchen makes for a wonderful centrepiece. Service friendly and a menu that deserves a revisit I think. Especially anything that's cooked on those coals.