Italian, The

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

We arrived at about 9 on a Thursday night with no booking. It was very busy but we were attended to quickly. The service was excellent, laid back and very friendly. Our food arrived quickly and was lovely fresh authentic Italian food. The price was very reasonable and we walked away very impressed with the whole experience. In fact we felt like we had taken a short trip to italy! Will definitely be back!

Jan 06, 2012 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  9     

I've been The Italian twice now and really enjoyed it both times. Too often in Bondi when we think of Italian we think of the Tratt (which I adore) and North Bondi Italian. The Italian is a family run, small trattoria in the back streets of Bondi. The crowd is local and lacks pretense and the service is fantastic. The gentleman who runs the place is passionate about food and AFL (a mad Collingwood supporter) and has a farm out in Griffith where he grows some of the produce he serves in his restaurant. I had pasta the first visit which was delicious but the real star for me was the veal alla limone. Seriously tasty and the perfect size to allow me to fit in dessert. I enjoyed it so much I'm going there again tonight!

Sep 25, 2011 

3.5 Below Average

Food  1      Ambience  5      Service  6      Value  2     

A typically dressed and presented "Italian" restaurant. The only two things missing were tablecloths and decent food! A severely undercooked pizza with minimal toppings an Italian pizza does not make. A lack of bacon, ham, cabanossi, or even chouriço as an option was also disappointing. Despite this, the owner was insistent that returning the pizza to the oven would help.

The veal with mushroom was ridiculously overpriced. About $2 worth of veal which appeared and tasted like a Coles minute steak was cleverly concealed by an uninteresting mushroom and cream combination. The grilled vegetables were the only thing that tasted like it was supposed to.

The waitress was nice and accommodating. The kitchen staff and senior staff were insistent they knew better and felt that telling us they were booked out every night was better than fixing what was substandard Italian food.

There does seem to be regular clientele which appreciate doughy bland food. Someone has to feed the ignorant an unimaginative, and might as well profit from it. Good luck to them.

May 20, 2011 

6.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  7     

Dropped in for a midweek evening, traditional style meal here. Lil Neecy and I were impressed by the pasta dishes we ordered, a verdi and a bolognese both with fresh ingredients. The service we received was both respectful and friendly while we were content with the overall cost. A little cramped on a hot evening but will not stop us returning to sample some of their other meals in future. I would suggest this place is suited for the smaller groups.

Mar 22, 2011 

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

Love this restaurant! It is so hard to find affordable authentic Italian food! I had my PhD graduation here earlier in the year and it was wonderful, great food, great service and great price - grazie mille.

Oct 29, 2010 

2.5 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  5      Service  2      Value  2     

Have been here many times and loved the food, service and the ambience. Perhaps, it was an off night as the food was terrible and the kitchen staff was intolerable. Unfortunately, I won't be returning again for a while.

Mar 25, 2010 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  10     

Great casual atmosphere with excellent authentic italian food and good service. We went there for my sons birthday on a Sunday evening in a group of 8 people. Staff were friendly and food was great! Prices ok! Highly recommend this place to anyone.

Feb 19, 2010 

7 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  7     

Went there for the first time tonight. Dinner for 2. The service was a little slow but the food was definitely worth the wait. The veal ravioli with the meatball sauce was outstanding. Ill be back for sure.

Jun 08, 2009 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

I have been to The Italian numerous times and never have found anything to complain about. The food is great but not top-quality, the mood and ambience of the restaurant are calm and quiet. The service is excellent and I do not understand while the customers below have so many qualms about it. Value for money is amazing, excepting possibly the over-priced drinks.

Mar 29, 2009 

2 Not Recommended

Food  5      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

We came here with a group of friends to celebrate my 32nd Birthday and I will never go back! We booked because of the good reviews and the fact that the restaurant was BYO, when you have a group of over 15 people it makes life much easier.

My partner booked the restaurant for Saturday evening for between 16-18 people. On the Friday night we got a call to advise that due to numbers we would have to have a set menu which we agreed to. They also advised that we would not be able to BYO! Given this was one of them main reasons we had booked this place we were not pleased but it was too late to book anywhere else.

On the night we arrived and advised there would only be 16 people which they said this fine. The food was ok nothing special, the steaks were dismal 2 of our party had to send theirs back they had ordered rare, however, they turned up well done. At which point the wait staff became quite rude.

They then charged us for 18 people although they had only fed 16 even though we had advised them as soon as we arrived. I think this absolutely atrocious behaviour and just shows their greed to rip off their customers rather than provide quality service I will not be returning to this restaurant and will not be recommending this place to anyone.

They moved the goal posts to suit themselves with the menu and the BYO, which we agreed to. I find it hard to believe that any restaurant would charge for meals they did not provide without any proper warning, is this even legal!

Mar 25, 2009