Matteo Downtown: Italian, CBD Sydney (5 Nov 2018)

20 Bond St, Sydney NSW 2000
http://matteosydney.com/
https://www.instagram.com/matteosydney/

A slice of Italy downtown

My first impressions of Matteo Downtown are good. Nice decor and space with high ceiling and lofty light filled casual bar area matched with friendly professional service. Freshly shucked Sydney Rock Oysters ($24 for 6) are thankfully shucked to order as hoped with nice brine and flavour. A wedge of lemon and a small spoon are the only things I can think of that could make it better. Hard to resist the Diavola pizza with san marzano tomato, fior di latte, spicy salami, basil, evoo ($23). There's a good amount of chilli kick in the salami that continues to intensify with each bite so I didn't really need the chilli oil I'd requested. It had a soft base with a wet centre that calls upon a bit of knife and fork action to eat. Menu describes pizzas as naturally risen for 48 hours with lievito madre. I couldn't quite finish all the crust as it was still quite filling. I spy $15 cocktails come with complimentary snacks at their aperitivo hour (Mon-Fri 4-6pm) which sounds like a good deal to check out next.

Zona Azzurri Restaurant Pizzeria, Alexandria (30 June 2018)

160 Bourke Rd, Alexandria NSW 2015
https://www.zonaazzurri.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/zonaazzurri/

A taste of Italy in Alexandria

I've now been twice to this Italian restaurant right next door to Ultra Football since January when I first heard about it from my friend Josie. First time checked out with my brother for dinner and the second time with the wife and kids for lunch. Both times have been good experiences helped very much with the friendly and welcoming Italian service.

Always love to start with a Negroni ($16) to help calm the nerves. Kid's Ham pizza with tomato, fior di latte (cow's milk, mozzarella style cheese), ham ($15) was good as well as the Ortolana pizza - seasonal vegetables, fior di latte, EVVO ($24). Be sure to get some of their chilli oil to add a great chilli kick. Kid's Ragu ($17) was very good and enjoyed by Miss 6 year old. Served with all the elements separated as ordered.

On my previous visit Linguine al cartoccio - flat pasta served with our own selection of seafood tossed in cherry tomatoes ($32) came with a tasty sauce and nice seafood. A more generous serving of pasta in the dish would have helped to use up the lovely sauce and make it a more filling dish. Diavolo pizza - tomato, fior di latte, spicy sopressa, basil ($21) had a nice soft pizza base and tasty topping. Add that extra hit of chilli oil to make it even better. For dessert tried their Tiramisu - Traditional Italian Style ($11). Good flavour although was expecting the more rustic 'traditional italian style' of presentation when served on a plate rather than in a glass. Panna cotta ($12 menu special) had good flavours although texture was a bit more on the firmer rather than wobbly side.