Appetito Pizza Pasta Bar
Editorial
Whispers of Tuscany from the bright sunflowers on the tables of Appetitio Pizza Pasta Bar and the heart-warming Italian flavours of the menu will beckon you to take that trip to Italy. The thick golden bricks of sandstone that have a subtle gleam in the sunlight make a perfect setting for a meal spent rekindling the wish to see the golden fields of flowers and quaint Italian villages. Natural light falls through the tall stained-glass windows of the entrance into a space of cool elegance where eyes are drawn up by the endless ceilings and down to the classic mosaic-tiled floor. A different dining mood is embodied in each of the three levels. The ground floor displays classic style with wooden floors and a homely feeling, the second level has a modern edge of cool colours with scents from the open kitchen enticing appetites, while the top floor of tall ceilings and a chic bar also hosts a breezy outdoor terrace that overlooks the old roofs of the Rocks.
Friendly gatherings and corporate lunches are hosted here where groups enjoy the casual and welcoming atmosphere while the talk of business slowly moves onto leisurely plans for the summer. They order polpette pizza topped with meatballs and rippling leaves of rocket, and the quattro stagioni pizza featuring roasted mushrooms and capsicum with shards of artichokes, bright cherry tomatoes and glossy black olives. When the work day finishes, dinner will draw couples and families who come for the authentic Italian tastes they miss dearly from their last overseas trip.
Our own casual lunch begins with a selection of fried calamari, soft shell crab and school prawns to be mopped up with roasted garlic aioli. Executive chef Tim Fisher is known for his brilliant risottos which today tie together flavours of ricotta and parmesan, brightened with green peas and rounded by extra virgin olive oil. The lovingly made cannelloni emits scents of baked chicken, spinach and ricotta encased by the thin pasta sheets and finished with fresh sage leaves - this dish is comfort on a plate. As we toast the lunch with 2008/2009 Viticoltori Ponte Pinot Grigio IGT drawn from Venice, ricotta baked cheesecake and house made tiramisu are served. Creamy textures melts on the tongue with the tiramisu finishing in a deliciously subtle coffee bite. Appetito carries off delightful Italian flavours without weighing them down too heavily. The spectacular historical building is the perfect host to such wonderful creations that send comfort to the soul.
Edwina Storie, October 2010
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