Dinner with a friend from London
A friend of mine has a posting to London and recently returned to Canberra for a short visit. I wanted to catch up with her so we decided to go out to dinner (of course with my other friend Jane) at a restaurant that is attached to one of the lovely hotels.
This Italian restaurant has a casual and comfortable feel with a predominantly pink palette throughout. It’s good for families and larger groups rather than intimate dining. On the evening we went there was a large group next to us so it was a little difficult to hear our conversation.
It has a pretty extensive menu and everything is made in-house, from the ice cream to the the pizza dough which is great.
And then there’s the pizza oven – the largest in Canberra. It fits fourteen pizzas at a time and even rotates to make the best use of the heat.
(source: http://www.goodfood.com.au)
The kitchen is open, meaning both the pizza oven and the chefs preparing the evening’s meals are on full display which I do like to see.
I ordered the Cavolo salad which is an Italian coleslaw dish with finely shredded green cabbage and a garlic, lemon and mint vinaigrette. It was really nice – refreshing really and as I was having a very healthy night I didn’t order anything else and ordered a bottle of sparkling water to enjoy whilst my friends shared a bottle of white wine.Jane ordered the parmesan and thyme crusted veal cutlet which was served served with a fennel and cabbage salad. She loved it!My London friend ordered a pizza with a topping of prawns, cherry tomatoes, chilli, parsley, mozzarella and lemon. She loved it too – nice and fresh with a good base.The restaurant does have a very good selection of wines and a specialty behind the bar is the range of Italian-made wines on tap. Might need to try one next time.
A nice evening with friends but I think I might try a few of the other restaurants in town before I return.
Sophie said:
14 pizzas in a rotating oven !!??!!?! Wow, both informations are really impressive! Jane’s crusted veal looks somptuous, I would love to steal a bite or two from her plate! One bite or two, that is to keep some space in my stomach to steal your whole cabbage and mint slaw, that looks delicious and sounds pretty easy to reproduce at home I think. very healthy, Sue, good job with the slaw and sparkling water (Italian too?)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Little Miss Traveller said:
The rotating pizza oven sounds impressive, not come across one of those before. It is really bad luck to be dining and find yourselves sitting next to a a large party, it spoils the evening for me somewhat too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gary Lum said:
Great review Sue, thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lignum Draco said:
It sounds like a good place for a large group, rather than an intimate gathering as you say. no proposals from the staff this time? 🙂
One idiosyncrasy of mine is I don’t like prawns on pizza. It just seems wrong to me. Pineapple YES, prawns NO. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
sileas said:
Oh gosh you just reminded me that it’s been too long since I went for Italian dining. Which is a shame, because it’s so good. Mostly I end up eating Asian food 😛
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amy said:
Another delicious post, Sue. Salad and pizza look really good! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
reocochran said:
I enjoyed the menu and would like the salads and the veal. I liked the look of the pizza but would probably try other things since I eat pizza once a week. 🙂 Robin
LikeLiked by 1 person
SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thanks Sophie. I really try abs be good with not eating fatty foods during the week and not drinking alcohol but last night I went up to Sydney and tried a fabulous new restaurant called Madame Shanghai. It was sensational and we did enjoy some wine. (Post to follow in the future).
LikeLiked by 1 person
SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
I hadn’t heard of the rotating pizza oven either. Too noisy if seated next to large groups. Spoils the evening really.
LikeLiked by 1 person
SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you as always Gary.
LikeLiked by 1 person
SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Ha ha. You have a good memory. I love pineapple on pizza too. My favourite.
LikeLike
SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
I love Asian but definitely love Italian. Especially a bowl of gnocchi. Yay!!!
LikeLike
SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thanks Amy. I love salad and pizza. Makes me feel healthy if I eat salad with pizza.
LikeLiked by 1 person
SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you for stopping by. It’s good to try different foods isn’t it.
LikeLike
Sophie said:
Moderation in everything is the key. Do enjoy your wine !
LikeLiked by 1 person