Friday, July 15, 2005

Da Noi

Introduction: Well known Italian style restaurant in the heart of Toorak Rd South Yarra
Ambience: Noisy crowded happy atmosphere

Service: Slow The Italian wine list had some information about the wines which was helpful as the staff were not!

Food: We thorougly enjoyed the Chef's choice The al dente pasta dishes were very good, the main courses cooked to perfection, the rabbit being particularly tender and unusually moist

Wine: All Italian I am unable to comment

Price: Fixed $65 or al a carte moderately expensive
Now $80 and no longer expensive
Comments: The poor service seriously compromises this otherwise pretty good place

Score: 14.5/20 That was then NOW 16.5/20!

REVISITED

Banished to the clear plastic lined back garden we enjoyed a truly excellent strongly Sardinian influenced 5 course meal. Each course was a surprise and every one was excellent. You may get something quite different but I feel sure it will be just as good. a wood fire on the barbecue and a central gas heater kept us as warm as toast

We had: Anti paste of Fennel in a light anchovy sauce, capsicum in olive oil and lightly spiced meat balls followed by a Cohlrabi Basil salmon tartar which only needed a little salt to make it perfect. Then came a Sardinian specialty Casa da Musica, I think, a crisp thin sheet of papadam like bread with a chunky tomato sauce in the centre of which sat two lightly poached eggs. Fabulous. A sand crab pasta followed which was mouth wateringly delicious and then a perfectly prepared lamb shoulder in a cream sauce with rosemary spiced roast potato. the dessert a honey flavoured icecream with a ricotta filled pastry with a couple of palmiers and biscuits was a nice end to finish the meal

Service was much better than last time I came. the only thing that disappointed was the rough olive oil served with the crusty sour dough bread and the remarkable information that there was NO butter available. The butter that they did have for cooking was of inadequate standard for table service!

BYO is not available. Wine by the glass around $10. We had a very appropriate Italian Pinot Gris $46




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