Rosebay's Italian Affair

Rosebay’s shopping strip on New South Head Road has been calling out for a new local eatery for quite some time. With the usual dinner options like Thai, Japanese, Chinese and Chicken shops to choose from, its not been very exciting for locals to go down the road for a feed.

With the recent opening of Mangia e Bevi, locals are thrilled to finally see a fresh new name on the block. It just so happens to be an Italian name (maybe a little obscure to pronounce) but we don't care! There’s a new restaurant in town and like always, we show our support, especially if the food has something to show for it.

Walking by, it’s seems busy with a small line of people, from youngies to oldies, queuing up waiting to be seated. It’s recommended to book at least a day in advance, as you’d be very lucky to score a table just by walking in. It’s also BYO so perhaps while you wait for your table, hop on over to the convenient bottle store directly across the road.

After a small wait getting a waitress’ attention, we are escorted to our table. Large vintage, Italian-style posters adorn distressed brick walls on either side, providing a colour pop to the contrasting black and white shiny bricks under the pizza bar and along the back wall. Tables are made from polished wood and the dark green leather seats are a comfy touch to the other modern finishes.

A cute foodie saying stretches along a blackboard with the menu specials below, which is also imprinted inside their menu. We sit beneath a blue poster that says ‘la cucina,’ with an image of an Italian chef dressed in chef whites and shiny white shoes (most likely made from pure Italian leather from Florence). He is drizzling oil into a big bowl of pasta, reminding me not to forget why I came here. To get a good carb fix.

It’s trendy, cozy and very Italian with classical Italian opera seeping through slightly loud chattering customers. Even the wait staff is Italian, which adds to its charm. Unfortunately however you don't forget you’re not in Italy.

We are rushed into ordering and not given enough time to scout the menu properly but we opt for sharing entrées, a rocket parmasen side salad and ordering our own mains. Service is quick and the wait staff is attentive. They always seemed to be sporting a smile, which is a nice change to see from a busy restaurant.

In no time the Italian imported Mozzarella Di Bufala arrives, topped with fresh basil, ground pepper and drizzled with olive oil ($18.50). It’s generous with six big slices of beautiful creamy clouds floating on a bed of baby rocket. Not as generous are the Arancini balls (3pcs) each stuffed with a different filling of beef, spinach and eggplant ($15). They turn out to be dry, bland, less than crunchy to the bite while its accompanying tomato salsa could have been punchier.

Looking around at other tables’ food, I spot the calzone, puffy, golden and almost taking up half the table. I then realise our mains are going to be massive and at this stage I’m already thinking about dessert (as I do) and sadly come to terms with the fact that there just wont be any space for it.

Veal pan seared with sautéed mushrooms ($27) and chicken breast fillets topped with mushrooms and shallots in a light cream sauce ($26.50) are served with seasonal veg. While the veal was cooked to perfection, just pinky and beautifully tender, both dishes as homey as they looked, didnt deliver that wholesome italian taste we were expecting. A little bit oily and too light on the salt and presentation-wise, couldnt quite tell them apart.

On the other hand, the pasta does not disappoint. Tortiglioni alla Norma ($22) is light and perfectly al dente with two thin slices of roasted eggplant under a dollop of silky, melt-in-your-mouth ricotta. Too full to possibly fit anything more in, we take-home a fluffy crusted, thin-base Supreme pizza ($25), which too is light and not topping heavy.

A little 60% Vittoria chocolate accompanies the bill, just enough to give you that sweet finish you wish you had room for. If you manage to save some stomach space by picking your entrees and mains wisely, a classic selection of Italian desserts ($12.50) is on offer along side a decadent Nutella Pizza ($26.50).

As we were making our way out, I caught the pizza chef pouring spoonfuls of Nutella onto the uncooked dough… Do I regret my ‘no dessert’ decision? Maybe.