FoodieNeanie

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  7     

Arriving at 5.45pm, we avoided the queue and were seated on the upstairs balcony with a view over the buzzing kitchen. The restaurant had few empty tables and while I was first dismayed to be seated next to a table with three toddlers, they were well behaved and I was soon distracted by a glass of promptly delivered Vino Frizzante.

We started with the Stuffed Mini Peppers, which packed a nice whack of heat offset by the fresh ricotta and mint, and gave us time to consider the large menu. My dining partner, Ms J still couldn't commit, 'forcing' us to order and quickly dispatch the Italian bread selection.

Kudos to the waitress for her description of the daily special fig salad. The fresh succulent figs beautifully presented with strands of caramelised onion, micro herbs and dabs of gorgonzola was perfectly balanced.

Breaking my 13 year veal drought, I ordered the Veal Saltimboca which was nicely charred and topped with a fresh salsa made from tomatoes, basil and red capsicum (not chillies...I think). One of the patrons at the next table saw my main and promptly ordered the same...they weren't disappointed. Ms J was a little anxious about ordering the small size Prawn Linguine, but the serve was generous, not lacking in plump prawns, delicate sauce and the pasta was perfectly al dente...showing up how I always over-cook my pasta at home.

We decided to be sensible and forego dessert...until we saw the desserts at the table next to us and ordered ice-cream to share. (I wonder how much up-selling occurs as a result of sly glances at the next table?) One scoop each of chocolate, coffee and salted caramel ice-cream smothered in butterscotch sauce and honeycomb smash was divine. The ice-cream was thick and rich, although I couldn't really taste the salted caramel.

The staff were lovely, the kitchen was bustling, and I was rewarded for going with staff choice of wine to match the meals. $115 for two people seems a bit pricey at first, but three/four courses and two glasses of wine each for great quality food that left you comfortably full (not gross) was great value. Don't go to Jamie's Italian if you are looking for intimate fine dining...it's not what this place is about. But for flavourful fresh Italian food (which I've found hard to come by in recent years!) in a noisy happy environment, this place was spot on.

Jan 27, 2012

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  7     

Arriving at 5.45pm, we avoided the queue and were seated on the upstairs balcony with a view over the buzzing kitchen. The restaurant had few empty tables and while I was first dismayed to be seated next to a table with three toddlers, they were well behaved and I was soon distracted by a glass of promptly delivered Vino Frizzante.

We started with the Stuffed Mini Peppers, which packed a nice whack of heat offset by the fresh ricotta and mint, and gave us time to consider the large menu. My dining partner, Ms J still couldn't commit, 'forcing' us to order and quickly dispatch the Italian bread selection.

Kudos to the waitress for her description of the daily special fig salad. The fresh succulent figs beautifully presented with strands of caramelised onion, micro herbs and dabs of gorgonzola was perfectly balanced.

Breaking my 13 year veal drought, I ordered the Veal Saltimboca which was nicely charred and topped with a fresh salsa made from tomatoes, basil and red capsicum (not chillies...I think). One of the patrons at the next table saw my main and promptly ordered the same...they weren't disappointed. Ms J was a little anxious about ordering the small size Prawn Linguine, but the serve was generous, not lacking in plump prawns, delicate sauce and the pasta was perfectly al dente...showing up how I always over-cook my pasta at home.

We decided to be sensible and forego dessert...until we saw the desserts at the table next to us and ordered ice-cream to share. (I wonder how much up-selling occurs as a result of sly glances at the next table?) One scoop each of chocolate, coffee and salted caramel ice-cream smothered in butterscotch sauce and honeycomb smash was divine. The ice-cream was thick and rich, although I couldn't really taste the salted caramel.

The staff were lovely, the kitchen was bustling, and I was rewarded for going with staff choice of wine to match the meals. $115 for two people seems a bit pricey at first, but three/four courses and two glasses of wine each for great quality food that left you comfortably full (not gross) was great value. Don't go to Jamie's Italian if you are looking for intimate fine dining...it's not what this place is about. But for flavourful fresh Italian food (which I've found hard to come by in recent years!) in a noisy happy environment, this place was spot on.

Jan 27, 2012