Negroni time (12 Sept 2018)

Boozy Negroni O Clock

Love my negronis. First time we've bought Rosso Antico Aperitivo and now making negronis at home tastes so much better. I used to use a white vermouth I had but it just didn't taste the same as I had in restaurants and bars. I noticed Rosso Antico on a lot of cocktail menus so thought it was time to get some and only costs about $20. Happy place achieved. The 78 Degree gin was from the Mrs for Father's Day. Lovely gin. I do love my gins as either a gin and tonic, martini or in a negroni. Negroni is so easy to make. Equal 30 ml parts of each spirit with ice. Add a slice of orange/peel if you have some around.

Wood & Smoke Bar, Darlinghurst (4 July 2018)

77 Stanley St, Darlinghurst 2010
http://woodandsmokebar.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/Woodandsmokebar/
https://www.instagram.com/woodandsmokebar/

Rabbit Hole hops over to Darlo

The revolving doors of new bars and restaurants in Sydney continues with Rabbit Hole Bar and Dining taking over where Johnny Fontane's used to be. Hump day is quiet and calm during their soft opening week before the official grand opening on Friday 6 July. Bartender is friendly and welcoming. Their signature cocktails sound good but not quite ready to be made until Friday so my Plan B Negroni ($19) is a good choice using Australian Twenty Third Street Distillery gin which apparently prices around the $70 a bottle mark. Goes down well, too well, and gone in minutes but achieves a happy place on the upstairs balcony which I think are the best seats in the bar. As part of my toilet reviews here's a warning for the boys, and girls. When the guys toilet door is opened ladies will get a good showcasing of the urinals when walking past — you've been warned. The food menu looks great and promising. Looking forward to trying the snacks and charcoal menu items. Hopefully they'll be opening for lunches in the near future.

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.