Eating Italian food at Jamie Oliver’s restaurant
This year, I made a list of casual restaurants I would like to try in Canberra and Jamie’s Italian was one, so with two of my friends we met and tried the food at this franchise.
One friend and I sat at the bar enjoying a glass of wine while we waited for our other friend and when she arrived, we were seated at a little booth which was comfortable with a huge chandelier above us and an array of cured meats and hanging garlic above the kitchen area.
Our waitress allowed us to sample a couple of wines before we bought, as they were Italian and we had not tasted them before.
There are great small plates to share on the menu and whilst we wanted to eat them all, we decided on just one dish which was the crispy polenta chips – they were good!!
I ordered the margherita pizza for my main course and it was nice; a reasonable looking pizza with a tasty base and even though it was not the best I have ever had, it was still enjoyable. There were many dishes to choose from for vegetarians but this day I felt like pizza as had seen one being delivered to another table and it looked pretty good.
My friends ordered the prawn linguine which consisted of fried garlic prawns with fennel, tomatoes, chilli, saffron, fish broth & lemon rocket and the squid and mussel spaghetti which had flash-fried squid and mussels with octopus, capers, chilli, anchovies, tomatoes and white wine. My friends both said they enjoyed their meals.
Food was ok and service very good, but I think I need to return to try an eggplant dish that I think has my name on it which has so many ingredients that make it sound really interesting (roasted eggplant with a ragù of lentils and tomatoes and smoked paprika with a garlicky yoghurt dressing, toasted pine nuts, lemon rocket and pomegranate).
Jamie’s has so many vegetarian dishes on its menu which all sound delicious including:
- pasta filled with roasted squash, ricotta and parmesan in a pumpkin, chilli and rosemary butter
- a tomato based pasta with garlic, basil, chillies, vegetarian pecorino and herb breadcrumbs
- pasta stuffed with zucchini and mint and
- a truffle risotto
It’s always nice when a restaurant has so many options for vegetarians!!
Sophie said:
Definitely go back for the eggplant dish, and please save a bite or two for me!!
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carentaylor said:
It looks like you have reason to revisit at least another five times ;-D Hope you get to go back again soon !
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Little Miss Traveller said:
Interesting to read as we have several branches within driving distance of our home but we have yet to visit!
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Lignum Draco said:
Sounds like you need a few trips back. Glad you enjoyed it. There’s one in Sydney but I’ve not been to it.
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Edward Tan said:
I yet even try the one in Hong Kong, perhaps I should go there and grab a quick bite for lunch…
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JohnRH said:
A non-Asian restaurant review?! OMG!! Looks yummy.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Or…maybe we could go together one day when you visit. But saying that I would take you to a fabulous restaurant here I Canberra Sophie.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you Caren. I agree.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
I think for a very casual lunch it’s ok.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
I guess it’s a place you go when you just want a casual lunch. In Sydney I don’t think you would ever get there!!! Too many other fabulous restaurants.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
No need to rush. Too many other fabulous restaurants in wonderful HK.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Yes I know non-Asian. Bit surprising John. Ha ha.
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Amy said:
The squid and mussels dish looks delicious! I, too, like eggplant and risotto. 🙂
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you for visiting Amy. I love risotto too. So delicious
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Sophie said:
Already looking forward to that chance, Sue! Whenever it comes up in our lives 🙂
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hveagar said:
Thank you for posting I’ve often thought of posting my experience in Toronto at Jamie’s restaurant. So consistant in excellent quality but surprising in tastes.
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hveagar said:
I’ve decided to follow you in your travels. Very interesting articles you have. I hope you do the same for me, if your interested in making your own kitchen concoctions. Follow my tips and tricks.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
How lovely are you. Thank you. Just going to check out your blog too and I am sure I will do the same for you.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Please do I would love to read about it.
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hveagar said:
I will
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