My partner and I attended Moltofino midweek and as some one with experience in the restaurant industry, I must say I was delighted with the whole experience. My partner and I started off with the crusty Italian bread with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar, which I would have to agree with the other review, was one of the sweetest dips of its kind I have ever tasted.
For the main courses my partner ordered the sole, which came out as a simple skinless fish on the bone. The flesh of the fish peeled off effortlessly and was covered in cherry tomatoes and a white wine sauce which was both light and tasty, accompanied by a side of chat potatoes which were delicious. I ordered the chef's special, which was the seafood paella. I found this to be perfectly done and had an abundance of squid, prawns scallops, chorizo sausage and topped off with a small fillet of snapper fish on the top.
After these filling and delicious meals my partner and I shared a dessert of Churros(Spanish doughnut) and chocolate sauce accompanied by gelato with a natural strawberry sauce. The service was very warm and welcoming, the owner guaranteed us that if we did not like the meal there would be no charge. The ambience was very appealing with a nice Spanish music played at perfect volume. Definitely will return.
I went there on 22 November 2008. The weather wasn't too good, and it was quite a busy night. The waitress was very helpful in moving us to a table that was a bit further away from a larger, very cheerful group. I think it is the materials used in the great decor that makes the sound in this place bounce around. We found it hard to have a decent conversation.
I can certainly recommend the paella and my friends said that the pastas were great, if a bit pricey, too. What I really love about going out in Dee Why is the North Shore shuttle service: book one of the participating restaurants and they pick you up for $5 per person, and bring you home. We live in Forestville, where taxis are extremely unreliable and this service is heaven-sent!
I went here the other night, ordered the crispy pork belly and mezze plate for entree. Antipasto plate was great, nice mix of different flavours done very well. However, pork came out well under cooked and pork skin was too rubbery to even cut through. So I sent back to get cooked some more.
They just placed under griller for 10 minutes and burnt the top. Still was inedible as fat wasn't rendered and was still like rubber. I was very disappointed as was starving. Pity was undercooked, would have been quite nice. Serving size was a little small. Overall service was a little too casual and menu lacked variety. $32 for a steak was a little too $$$ for Dee Why. Decor definitely needs work as is very chaotic.
EXCEPTIONAL service, welcomed with open arms by the owner after speaking with him on the phone previously that day. Our bottle of wine was opened within minutes, and after ordering our entree came within 10 minutes.
The food was delicious. Had the duck Ravioli which was delicious and my partner said the Marinara was one of the best he's ever taste. The Creme Brulee dessert was absolutely perfect. Great cocktail and wine selection too. Will definitely return.
I am slowly working my way through all the eateries on The Strand in Dee Why, and have to say that I think I've found one of the best. Following a delicious mid-week dinner here last week, I am definitely going to return particularly because the owner gave us a discount voucher for our next visit to thank us for trying his restaurant. Generous gestures like these are in short supply these days.
After a tasty starter of fresh Italian bread with the richest, sweetest Balsamic Vinegar I've ever tried, I ordered the Spaghetti Marinara ($27). In my opinion, this is one of the simplest but most delicious meals around but it's amazing how often it can be mediocre. Not at Moltofino. Generous chunks of fish and squid mingled with robust prawns amongst an intense tomato sauce and perfectly cooked pasta. It was heaven but far too big a serving after our starter. The waitress happily offered to pop it in a takeaway container for me and it was just as good for lunch the next day.
My partner ordered the lamb shoulder and would have licked his plate if possible, it was that good. Partnered with crisp Sauvignon Blanc as suggested by the waitress, it was a truly memorable meal.
The only issue we found was that we were not offered black pepper or parmesan cheese for the pasta at all while tables around us were but that's nothing after food as good as this. Will definitely return.
Had breakfast here a few times and it is always very good. A little odd that they only have 3 smoothies (none of which are banana or strawberry etc) to choose from though. The coffee and hot chocolate is enjoyable, as is the big breakfast.
Very heavy lunch menu (more like a dinner selection) with risottos and meat/seafood dishes, but no light meals aside from the beef burger special (the mango salsa complimented this well). I agree with other reviewers that the past choices are lacking, hopefully there are more on the dinner menu, if this is in fact different.
Service is always friendly but they never seem to have enough staff, which is possibly why they seem inattentive at times. Would still recommend for breakfast. Will visit for dinner soon.
Not your typical Italian menu. The pasta choices were rather limited and left much to be desired. The rib eye steak was tender but not cooked to order. Not sure who cooked the pork belly as it had a distinct Asian flavour to it. The pork skin should take a lesson from Kelloggs and learn how to Snap, Crackle and Pop! (Way too soggy). However the service and wine list was fantastic.
To be honest I've been here before and not rated it at all but whatever they've done, it is working. Food was very good, service exceptional. For a change, music great and the whole atmosphere seems to have changed.