La Vucciria: Sicilian Wine Bar & Restaurant, Paddington (31 Aug 2011)

160 Flinders Street, Paddington NSW 2021
http://www.lavucciria.com.au

Nice place for an Aperitivo

“Inspired by the centuries old food market of Palermo of the same name, La Vucciria is the idea of young Sicilian chef Fabio Alacqua. Joining him is Brad Dickson, a passionate wine expert and former winemaker, sommelier and distributor hailing from Perth”

Thanks to Stephanie Epiro from La Vucciria for inviting me to dine as a guest of the Wine Bar & Restaurant which takes over of the former site of the Flinders Inn. You might notice orange door has been painted red and you can actually see inside now from the street, which I think makes it much more inviting and open. Arriving at 6.30 pm was fortunately just in time to sample the Aperitivo which includes a complimentary tasting plate with your drink. Served between 5.30 and 7 pm every day it’s probably one of the best reasons alone to visit. Everything on the plate was good and the improvised Mocktail with fresh strawberry and juices ($12) and traditional Spritz of Aperol and Prosecco ($12) were both done well. It’s evident the down-to-earth and humble chef Fabio Alacqua is passionate about producing dishes that are seasonal and cooked with heart. The Crispy calamari zucchini ($15) had a decent crisp batter and the zucchini added something different to the dish that seemed to work well. The Gratin scallops ($15) were tasty and would work well as a casual bar snack with a glass of 2009 Torre Solaria Nero D'Avola, Sicily ($9).

The Eggplant involtini ($13) were nicely presented although for me were a little light on taste and I wouldn’t have minded a bit more depth of flavour perhaps. The Meatballs lemon leaves ($13) were infused with good flavour although be sure not to try and eat the surrounding lemon leaves, they’re not particularly edible as I soon found out. For a comforting dish the Gnocchi Di Ricotta Alla Norma ($19) will probably suit and the Spaghetti al Coroccio ($24) comes with a surprising amount of seafood although the mussels ended up being a bit shrivelled up and small after cooking — a few large plump ones would have been preferred. The last time I ate a dish out of a bag was at North Bondi Italian Food and although it may be a nice way to cook something it’s still not a particularly graceful way to eat something out of at the table. I think serving up on a plate would be my preference.

I was thinking the Eolian salad tomato olives cucumber ($8) might have been something a bit different and special but actually ended up being just like a Greek salad without the feta. The ingredients were fresh though. For dessert the Strawberry tiramisu ($10) was something a bit different that had nice flavours that balanced well — more alcohol is always welcome though. The Sgroppino ($10) was refreshing and combined lemon sorbet with a bit of vodka. It made for a very nice palate cleanser after dinner. The décor and lighting was quite homely with lots of interesting details to spot around the room. Look out for the hanging chilli near the kitchen which apparently is for good luck. The toilets are still the same which is a good thing ie nice, except for being outside. If there was one thing that I’d love to change about the place it would be the table supports. It’s probably just me but if I can’t sit my feet squarely flat in front of me I always seem to find it a bit awkward and uncomfortable. I think it might be different for ladies who tend to cross their legs and feet though.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Nice décor and atmosphere, Good quality dishes using seasonal produce, Aperitivo free tasting plate before 7 pm when you order a drink, Nice toilet (but located externally), Knowledgeable service

CONS: I found the table supports in the way of sitting comfortably (but that could be just me), The dining room window looks out onto a busy street where a bus load of people will be looking in on you (but you get to look out at them too), Street parking can be limited and the restaurant is located a bit off the beaten track

MUST TRY: Aperitivo between 5-7 pm for free tasting plate with your drink

WORTH TRYING: Spritz of Aperol and Prosecco, Crispy calamari zucchini, Gratin scallops, Strawberry tiramisu for something different

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Mocktail with fresh strawberry and juices ($12), Spritz - Aperol and Prosecco ($12)

Aperitivo tasting plate - complimentary between 5.30-7 pm with your drink purchase

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

2009 Torre Solaria Nero D'Avola, Sicily ($9)

Bread and bread sticks

Crispy calamari zucchini ($15)

WORTH TRYING :-)

Gratin scallops ($15)

WORTH TRYING :-)

Eggplant involtini ($13)

Meatballs lemon leaves ($13) — don't try and eat the lemon leaves

Gnocchi Di Ricotta Alla Norma ($19)

Spaghetti al Coroccio ($24)

Eolian salad tomato olives cucumber ($8) — like a Greek salad without the feta

Strawberry tiramisu ($10)

WORTH TRYING :-)

Sgroppino ($10) — a good palate cleanser

Chef Fabio Alacqua

Seating with a view

Reference to Raya Panarea — looks like a nice place

Flower pot people

A bit of morocco

I'm getting a Mexican feel from the gun and cactus together

Vibrant decor colours

Old Sicilian papers

Awkward position of table supports for my feet

In the toilet — great wall tiles

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Alio: Modern Italian, 10 course degustation menu with wine, Redfern (29 Jan 2011)

5 Baptist Street, Redfern NSW 2016
Phone: (02) 8394 9368
http://www.alio.com.au

Nice food on oversized plates

A lucky friend won a competition to have 4 people dine at Alio with matching wines included if the Degustation menu ($85 or $120 with matching wines) was ordered saving $35 each. Seemed like a great opportunity to try the restaurant which other friends had previously enjoyed using a Jump On It celebrating 10 years of being in business. From the very beginning our young waiter Jeremy looked after us with his friendly and accommodating nature. The maitre d’ was quite a flamboyant and lively chap who seemed very chatty with the diners as he swanned around the restaurant. Overall we were quite impressed with the food although I thought the plating and presentation didn’t really do the dishes full justice. Over-sized and heavy looking white bistro-style plates with too much space around the dish just seemed way out of proportion. Many of the wines sampled were highly quaffable and all served in half glass portions to match the dishes. Coffees and petit fours weren’t included but I felt it would have been nicer if they were as part of a degustation.

The slightly warmed Mixed marinated organic olives were good although I’m never a fan of the tiny ones — why bother I think, too messy to pickup. You can’t go wrong with 40 month old Reggiano Parmigiano that had great flavour, more please. The Alio hand made grissini was served with focaccia bread although I thought it was questionable counting this as one of the 10 dishes when so many restaurants provide bread complimentary. The Citrus cured kingfish with radish and orange dressing seemed to have notes of horseradish in the dressing giving it a nice kick. The large heavy plate seemed inelegant for such a delicate dish and perhaps would have been better suited on a nice thinner rectangular dish. Even though the look of Panfried scallops wrapped in pancetta reminded me of oversized witchetty grubs they soon became a favourite with the lovely bagna coada dressing — I’d happily order again. Great aroma from the Potato gnocchi with garlic prawns became another favourite and the matching 2009 Juniper Crossing Tempranillo was enjoyable enough to be savored on its own but was a questionable match to the food. A decent sized and tender Roasted lamb rack had a little bit of fat to cut away and came with an interesting dragoncello salsa. Matched with a lovely 2009 The Musician Cabernet Shiraz I thoroughly enjoyed.

The Coconut and lime sorbet was apparently home made which was super smooth and delightful as a palate cleanser before dessert, although can you really count this as a dish? The Poached peach was refreshing with the champagne granita which became a table favourite. I wondered if serving in a martini glass would have looked better making it also easier to eat from than a wine glass. Matched with a Beni Di Batasiolo Moscato had the right amount of sweetness without being sickly. To finish off the night coffees were extra. Most degustations I’ve had would usually include it though. The Flat white ($3.50) was strong and a little bitter, the Espresso ($3.50) not too bitter and hit the spot, the Hot chocolate ($3.50) smooth and chocolatey as hoped and the Mocha ($3.50) smoothly rounded with a good balance of flavour.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Friendly and efficient service, Nice ambience except for music selection at the time, Some tasty dishes that excited the palate, Good quality wines available

CONS: The background music selection was quite strange, The heavy over-sized white plates weren’t particularly elegant, Bread and coffees weren’t included with the degustation

MUST TRY: Panfried scallops wrapped in pancetta, Potato gnocchi with garlic prawns and cherry tomato, 2009 Juniper Crossing Tempranillo, 2009 The Musician Cabernet Shiraz, Beni Di Batasiolo Moscato, Mocha

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Degustation January menu ($85 or $120 with matching wines)

Alio hand made grissini and focaccia bread, 40 month old Reggiano Parmigiano

Mixed marinated organic olives

I'm never keen on the tiny olives — why bother I always think

Lentil soup matched with Nino Franco, Rustico Prosecco, Valdobbiadene, Italy

Prosciutto san daniele with melon and rocket matched with Vistamar Sauvignon Blanc, Central Valley, Chile

Citrus cured kingfish with radish and orange dressing matched with 2009 La Zona Savagnin, King Valley, Vic

Panfried scallops wrapped in pancetta with spinach and a bagna coada dressing

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Panfried scallops matched with Vino Bianco Della Casa, Cheshunt, Vic

Potato gnocchi with garlic prawns and cherry tomato

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Potato gnocchi matched with 2009 Juniper Crossing Tempranillo, Margaret River WA

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Roasted lamb rack with marinated beetroot and dragoncello salsa matched with 2009 The Musician Cabernet. Shiraz, Coonawarra SA

Coconut and lime sorbet

Poached peach with champagne granita matched with Beni Di Batasiolo Moscato, D'Asti Piedmonte, Italy

Flat white ($3.50), Espresso ($3.50), Hot chocolate ($3.50), Mocha ($3.50)

San Pellegrini sparkling mineral water ($7.50)

Dining area

Bar area

Nice candle, Salt & Pepper (was forgotten and needed to ask for it)


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