One of the consolations of being a single man is, every now and then, buying a beautiful woman a wonderful dinner.
So on Friday I’d rustled up a date and we went to Italian and Sons (aka Restaurant No 7 for reasons not immediately obvious) in Braddon.
My first surprise was calling just after lunch on Friday to make a booking for 7.30 only to learn they were already booked solid, but could fit us in at 8.30.
No matter, time for a cocktail at Knightsbridge prior to dinner.
With the reputation and string of awards I’ll admit I was expecting something grand, so was a little surprised by the somewhat cramped, somewhat industrial space.
It’s not grand, it is intimate and, more importantly, it’s COOL.
On being seated came the joy that aside from the obligatory Peroni there was nothing on the beer menu I was familiar with. I went for a double malted brew that came in an oval shaped black glass bottle. Mystery and adventure.
And then there’s the menu which just bristles with the novel and incomprehensible in equal parts.
This does come at a price for a man on a hot date though, admitting you don’t actually know everything and asking the waitress for help with putting a meal together.
Fortunately the staff were brilliant and we got through it all.
I started with the crystal bay prawns and moved onto the suckling pig ragu while my date had stuffed zucchini flowers off the specials menu and something else which eludes me now. On advice we ordered the braised beans (in garlic and olive oil of course) as a side.
To go with it we had a bottle of chianti which, while not cheap, appeared to be bottomless (and was perfect with the food).
Somewhere between the magnificent starter and the main we were a bit surprised to be apologised to. The conversation had been cracking along and we hadn’t noticed there’d been a delay. So being offered a free dessert or second bottle of wine was a bit of a bonus.
Having heard stories we both opted for the tiramisu which was altogether a different beast to what you buy from the supermarket.
My date maintains her loyalty to the Tossolinis tiramisu but I thought it was excellent. We had it with a desert wine arrived at after considerable consultation with the staff.
The ingredients were great, the cooking is inspired. They’re bringing new flavours and produce to the table (and I have travelled in Italy).
The staff were an absolute delight and the atmosphere is captivating.
If you’re paying for desert expect to pay in the order of $250 (with drinks).
But worth every penny. Highly recommended.
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