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.
211 Glenmore Rd, Paddington NSW 2021
http://vinoecucina.com.au
https://www.instagram.com/vinoecucinapaddo/
Italian local gem in Paddo
A call out on Sydney Food Bloggers for a kid friendly restaurant in the Eastern Suburbs inspires me to check out Vino e Cucina. Thanks @kittismallbone for the restaurant tip and @naomi_rheinberger for first telling me about this place years ago — I finally made it. Freshly shacked [shucked] oyster with pickled cucumber, salmon roe & vinaigrette ($4) have a nice flavour combo and were a great way to start. Definitely seems to be shucked to order as they provided the lid of the oyster shell in the plating which is always nice to see. Deep fried calamari with salt and pepper ($16.90) were nice and tender and quite tasty. If they had just a touch more crisp coating would have been even better but still a good one to share. Bambini Pizza Ham - San Marzano Tomato, Mozzarella & Ham ($15) was very yummy with plenty of ham ripples. Miss 5 year old loved it. Gamberi - San Marzano tomato, fior di latte, prawns, zucchini, cherry tomato, rocket ($25.50) was nice but I would have preferred no zucchini and rocket and swapped it with some pepperoni, olives and chilli oil for the win.
Tiramisu Fatto in Casa ($12.90) which I translate to mean eating tiramisu makes you as fat as a house ;-) had a light texture and yummy flavour. This was a great way to finish and definitely generous enough to share between two although I ended up eating most of it because the Mrs doesn't like tiramisu. Lemon Sorbet ($5) was yummy and a crowd pleaser for Miss 5 year old — she loved those sprinkles on top as well. I spotted a poster in the toilet promoting a free glass of house wine if you upload a photo to Zomato. I think they should say social media instead so it includes Facebook and Instagram which would be more common for people to use. Service was down-to-earth and friendly and the decor cosy. There's a great garden courtyard out the back and a couple of intimate booths inside along the passageway past the kitchen. Such a local gem and great to finally discover.
