Otto Ristorante - (Sydney, Australia)

  It was a night to meet up with fellow blogger friend in Sydney,  and even though we wanted to eat at another destination,  the no bookings policy there made visiting them a little difficult!   Somehow my 2nd back up plan involved coming to Australia’s no.1 restaurant QUAY’s little sister Otto Ristorante, an Italian diner -  as I was slightly curious as to their interpretation of modern Italian food!  In hindsight,  I just realised this is even a 1 Hatted status restaurant.    I think for me Italian food is quite rustic in nature and it is nice to compare it to some of the other modern Italian restaurants from around the globe.   Places in Hong Kong such as W52 does a fairly good job,  or else GOLD by Harlan’s, Michelin 2 Stars  8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo or 1 Star Vivendo (in Rome) plus a few others like Al Molo or Linguini Fini I haven’t reviewed yet,   and within Australia there are also places like Grossi Florentino and Iceberg Dining Room, etc…   

 

 

Nice view from the docklands of Wooloomooloo,  Sydney -

 

 

Decent Bread & CUOR d’ULIVO Olive Oil.
Love bread!  Nothing fancy here..

 

 

2009 Filippi Castelcerino Soave Classico (Veneto) -  AUD $14
This is a decent rounded fruity wine.  But a bit pricey.

 

 

 

Fresh Egg Tagliolini con Scampi, Capesante e Zucchine -  $30 Entrée
This came with good quality baby scallops, scampi meat and julienned zucchini and a thickish shellfish brodo.  I liked the taste of this dish,  but I half expected the scampi to be grilled with the shell on as the flavour is much more intense that way.  Oh well.  ~  7.5/10

 

 

Fennel Crusted Swordfish, with Zucchini Puree,  Salad of Globe Artichoke,
Shaved Fennel, Capers, Watercress and Crispy Pancetta -   $42 Main
This fish was cooked in a circular way.  The formula might sound interesting,  but both me and G. think somehow it didn’t translate into much when you eat it.  I guess Italian food is not easy to take it up to another culinary level?    If done properly,  just very simple recipes with a decent price tag is going to be equally satisfying,  like at Jamie’s Italian restaurant for example.   ~  7/10

 

Pork Tenderloin wrapped in Pancetta with Parsnip puree, Black Pudding, Crispy Pig’s ears and Apple Prune & Walnut Salsa -   $40 MAIN
The recipe sounded interesting, but when this came I was slightly disappointed as the presentation was fairly casually done.  At this price point,  can I at least have something which is visually appealing?  The pork meat was done well for a ‘well done’ which we deliberately ordered instead of pink, but I can’t see what the black pudding or puree and salsa were doing to enhance the dish.  The pancetta wrap wasn’t even aromatic from grilled flavours.  The pig’s ears were just little strands that you can’t even recognise it’s original taste or texture anymore.  This dish tasted ok mind you,  but the outcome vs the recipe was a huge let down ~  5/10

 

 

Gelatina di Lampone -  AUD $19
Made with Raspberry Jelly and Caramelized White Chocolate mousse, Hazelnut praline, fresh berries, Roasted Chocolate, Chocolate twigs, Flowers & Baby Parsley.  This looked quite pretty when it arrived,  and if it wasn’t for this,  the meal would have been very average indeed!  If anything,  I’ll come back to eat other desserts one day or perhaps the above pasta…  May be they should get their dessert chef to cook some of the main dishes !    ~  9/10

 

Price: AUD $75  per person
Food: ♕♕♕  to ♕♕♕♕ 1/2  (Really depends on what you order and your luck!)


Opening Hours:
Monday to Sunday from 12 noon to 10.30pm

Address: Area 8, 6 Cowper Wharf Rd, Woolloomooloo NSW
Ph: (02) 9368 7488