The Sydney Traveler

Italian restaurants are a dime a dozen in Sydney, but that only ensures that the really special ones stand out. Beresford Trattorio is just such a place, but what else would you expect with Danny Russo at the helm?
There’s a reason why Mr Russo has such a reputation. His dishes are inventive, while maintaining the rustic charms Italian is famous for. Dishes like the tagliatelle with truffled meatballs, squid ink tortellini stuffed with crab meat, and the stuffed rabbit leg are truly indulgent.
The wine list also deserves a mention, with around three-quarters of the drinks Italian. It’s refreshing to be …read more

Comments Off

Spread a little Christmas cheer, and enjoy some fantastic food at the same time, with a meal at Verde. This inner city Italian restaurant will donate $2 to the Salvation Army for every pasta dish sold.
Verde offers some serious comfort food, like braised pork shank ragu, pan-fried gnocchi, and lovingly handmade pasta.
The $2 donations through December will help out the Salvos at their busiest time of year.
Trading hours: Lunch from Wednesdays to Fridays and dinner from Tuesdays to Saturdays
Location: Verde
Address: Corner of Stanley and 115 Riley Street, East Sydney
Public transport: The restaurant is a short walk from Museum train station
Parking: …read more

Comments Off

My husband and I eat out a lot, so it takes something really special to blow us away. But that’s exactly what happened when we ventured into Leichardt’s Carpaccio last night. Really, you can’t go wrong when you head to Norton Street for Italian food, but this was one of those meals which simply wowed us.
I was taken in by the promise of ravioli with duck and porcini mushrooms in a Riesling cream sauce, and this was definitely the highlight of my experience. All that tender duck and fresh pasta and creamy goodness is a heavenly combo. But the lightly …read more

Comments Off

For a meal that mum, dad, and the kids will love you can’t beat Café Piemonte. The yummy blend of Australian and Italian cuisine and the welcoming family atmosphere of this Terrey Hills eatery make it a great choice these school holidays.
The little ones will love the kids menu which serves up old favourites like spaghetti bolognaise, calamari and chips, and margarita pizza. They’ll also adore the authentic gelato for dessert. Once they’re done they can play on the outdoor playground, feed the chooks, or pat friendly Ted the Shetland pony.
Parents can keep an eye on them from the balcony …read more

Comments Off

The cooler than cool Ivy complex just upped the cred with the opening of Uccello. With the acclaimed Italian chef Massimo Bianchi at the helm, diners are in for a real treat.
Bianchi’s skills are evident in all the dishes, from the simplest antipasti plate to the exquisite handmade pasta dishes. There are so many tempting options on the menu it’s worth bringing your appetite, and your wallet. The prices don’t miss you, but we all deserve a little pampering now and then, right?
The view’s also a little lacking right now while the outdoor pool deck is under construction. Once that …read more

Comments Off

Gigi is becoming my go to place whenever I find myself in Newtown. It was the same story last night when my husband I ventured out for a bite before the Newton Faulkner show. If the weather hadn’t been so bitterly cold, perhaps we would have tried something new. But with the wind blowing against my pantyhose-covered legs I was happy to settle for the warmth of this familiar Italian eatery.
I may have been there just a month before, but the menu had been revamped so in some ways it was like stepping inside for the first time. The obliging …read more

Comments Off

Long-term readers of The Sydney Traveler might have noticed my love of Italian food. If you’re like me and can’t get enough of the tastes of the Mediterannean, you’ll want to check out Ferragosto. This annual Italian festival is heading back to Five Dock this Sunday.
The cooking demonstrations will keep all our tastebuds happy, but there’s much more to Italy than amazing pizzas and pasta. You’ll also enjoy live music, dancing, market stalls, and much more.
The kids activities’ make this free festival a great day out for the whole family. Bellissimo!
Dates: Sunday 17 August
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Address: Great …read more

Comments Off

My husband and I ventured out to see Jason Mraz at The Enmore on Saturday night. I love shows at this intimate Sydney theatre, and it goes beyond the venue’s fantastic vibe. What really wins me over is that it gives me an excuse to try another Newtown restaurant.
King Street is dotted with exciting eateries boasting a range of cuisines, but we were swayed by the inviting atmosphere and tempting specials board of Gigi.
Gigi offers much more than the Italian staples of pizzas and spag bol. In fact, it was difficult to choose exactly what I wanted. I decided to …read more

Comments Off

You don’t have to head to Europe to experience authentic Italian cuisine. Just visit the Gazebo Wine Garden!
Every Tuesday night the restaurant will bring guests flavors from all corners of the world. It all starts with their Drink in Sicily events throughout July and August.
Wine experts will be on hand to match the traditional fare with the best European wines. Dishes start from $18 while wines are $9 by the glass or $42 for the bottle.
That’s a small price to pay for such a delicious night out!
Trading hours: The restaurant is open from 3 pm to midnight on Mondays to …read more

Comments Off

On Thursday night I headed into the city again to meet up with my friend Lisa. She’s a Brisbane girl, so we figured something in Darling Harbour would be our best bet. After all, there are so many places to choose from and it’s so easy for tourists to find. We met outside the IMAX theatre and strolled along Cockle Bay Wharf to see what took our fancy.
We were lured in to Casa di Nico by the heavenly smells and the delicious looking menu.
I have a real weakness for Italian foods, so deciding proved to be difficult. My husband and …read more

Comments Off