Il Locale

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

Il Locale is fabulous for couples, friends or families. The food is excellent, I've eaten here several times and try something different each time and I am never disappointed. The change of management has had no impact on the quality of food, ambience, service or value. The chef hasn't changed so I'm not sure why others feel this has had an impact on what is an incredible little restaurant in Haberfield offering really great food.

I recommend Il Locale wholeheartedly and can't wait to dine there again.

May 16, 2012 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

Came here for Mothers Day lunch on mum's request. Haven't been here for a while but I must say we were all impressed by the food and service. The manager came by to make sure we had a great time due to a busy day, which we thought was a nice touch. Didn't have to wait too long for the food, when it arrived, it was well presented and tasted great. We all had a great time and mum was particularly impressed!

May 16, 2012 

2 Not Recommended

Food  3      Ambience  3      Service  1      Value  1     

What a shame this place has lost a great deal since the change of management. The staff and food are ok but has definitely lost its authenticity.

May 04, 2012 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  10     

Held my daughters Christening here yesterday and it was a really successful day. Organised all with Amy (owner) who is wonderful. Opted for the $60pp menu. We had 19 adults and 1 baby.

Menu started with Antipasto plates, calamari and pizza crust with dips. The servings were enormous and the plates just kept coming, this course was not even finished as it was just too much food. The next course was penne ragu. I quietly asked the waiter how big the servings were as everyone had already eaten more than enough. He assured me the plates were not big, only a spoonful per plate. I then found out one guest was gluten intolerant, Amy was very accomodating and made 1 plate of gluten free pasta (which actually could have served 2 people as a main). The pasta plates that came out were huge.

A main size each plus 4 huge scampi risottos in the centre of the table which unfortunately were hardly touched. We needed a significant break between main, which was again happily accomodated. On the menu the mains were to be alternate which I wasn't a great fan of, Amy was fabulous and allowed my guests to choose between a beef fillet or barramundi fillet. Of course again these were huge and also came with sides plus salads and potatoes in the centre of the table.

Unfortunately again much of this was left as everyone was just too full. I'd like to add that the majority of the guests were Italian, and no stranger to big meals, but this was ridiculous. All meals were cooked beautifully, really enjoyable food. We ordered waters and a few shnapps but brought our own wine with a very reasonable corkage of only $3.50. We then followed with coffees and cake. I brought the cake, but coffees were included.

All up, a really great time. Food was great as was the service. Il Locale is a really great place for large groups. As a local I have been there quite a few times. There are often a few group tables, with children very welcome. I would definitely recommend this restaurant for a function, but I have no idea at these prices, with this amount of food, how they are making any money? The food for 19 people could have served 30. Thank you Amy for a wonderful lunch enjoyed by all.

Apr 23, 2012 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

I went back to Il Locale last weekend for my friend's birthday, there were 14 of us on a Friday night. I must say that this restaurant provides such a delightful experience even to a larger party. All our needs were catered for and service was impeccable. I live around Haberfield and even though there are so many other restaurants around, Il Locale is definitely a stand out!

Food was delish, staff were attentive and friendly. We were there last Saturday and the place was buzzing, glad we made reservations. My boyfriend and I ordered the grilled snapper and it was fresh and cooked beautifully. Our friends ordered the lamb cutlets and the Scampi risotto and my friend reckon it was one of the best cutlets she has ever tasted. All in all, we were all very happy with the food and service.

Apr 22, 2012 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

IL Locale, their chef and staff have managed to impress me each time I visited, it has become my designated restaurant when I think about Italian food. They cater for a mix of Italian locals who's in the know, and people who travels to Haberfield after hearing about the restaurant. It seems ot have become a bit of a popular Italian secret.

From the moment we walk in to the glass panel fronted restaurant, their wait staff are always professional, friendly and patient.

I love their seasonal menus and specials, don't you just love it when a restaurant and their chef shows passion and pride, maybe sometimes even daring, serving up the best seasonal changes offer? Their grilled barramundi is a winner, the fish smelled and tasted amazing. I'm no food blogger but it is a must try!

More recently I've decided to host a special celebration event at IL Locale with approximately 25 guests, the experience was painless as the Manager Amy was able navigate within my perimeters to work towards my budget, style of menu and choice of wine. She in collaboration with the chef designed a menu which impressed my guests and left me stress free. The atmosphere was vibrant, other diners were friendly and having a good time, the restaurant have a professional but warm ambience about it, they always try to cater to my needs and taste.

Last but not least, their affogato with frangelico is my must have finisher for the night, needless to say their barister makes delish coffee. IL Locale has not only become a place for me to dine in comfort with confidence of the quality of food and service I recieve, but also a nice venue for me to impress guests and visitors.

Definitely a tick from me!

Apr 16, 2012 

5.8 Average

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  6     

My partner and I dined here a little while after the change of management and I can't say that we were too impressed. We didn't find the staff to be friendly. I can't say the food is bad, it was still good to eat. But it definitely is missing an ambience and friendly feel to it. We had this with the old management.

Apr 07, 2012 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  9     

My partner and I have now dined at Il Locale a number of times in the last couple of months and we can not fault anything about the restaurant. The food has been exquisite, the service superb and the ambience just fantastic.

Each time we have gone there we have tried different dishes and we have never been disappointed!

We were lucky enough to have Valentine's day dinner at Il Locale and the unique menu was second to none! It has been a long time coming where a restaurant makes you feel this welcome and makes you feel like a VIP every time!

In reference to the cuisine, their head chef is first class and extremely inventive and inspirational. The unique combination of flavours are to die for and pleasure to the senses.

I highly recommend trying Il Locale, as you won't be disappointed. And when there are many restaurants trying to get your business, it's nice to know that there are still places where you can get excellent value for money and a warm and friendly smile!

Two thumbs up!

Mar 20, 2012 

5.8 Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  8      Value  6     

I hadn't been for a while especially after change of management. Went there with friends and needed to tell the waitress that we had a reservation 3 times before she found us a table.

Wait staff friendly, we ordered different entree, cod corquette, fig wrapped with prosciutto and bruschetta. All great. I ordered the fail proof spaghetti marinara for main. I cannot believe the kitchen staff totally destroyed the dish. Pasta was undercooked, not enough sauce and really no distictive flavour. The prawns and mussels were cooked but calamari tasted like rubber. Wasn't a busy night for Saturday night at 7.30....so don't really know what happened.

Has anyone else had this sort of experience since change of managment? Use to be one of my favourite places to go when I wanted great Italian food, now I will give it a second thought before wanting to go again.

Mar 18, 2012 

7 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  5     

Great Restaurant. Food is different and not like the usual italian restaurant. Much more sophisticated and fine and as a result a bit more expensive than other restaurants in the area.

Dec 17, 2011