We were a little early for dinner so we sat in the outside area of the restaurant and enjoyed a glass of prosecco. At 6 we were taken in to our table.
This was Vikki's first visit to Pendolino and she was quite surprised at the size of the restaurant. The restaurant stretches along the George Street side of the building. The lighting was dimmed, exposed brick walls were on 3 sides of the room, the fourth lined with shelves of Italian and local wines; cast iron scroll work, dark woods, Bentwood chairs all gave a relaxed and casual feel. Surprsingly, for a Monday night the restaurant was very busy.
This was Vikki's first visit to Pendolino and she was quite surprised at the size of the restaurant. The restaurant stretches along the George Street side of the building. The lighting was dimmed, exposed brick walls were on 3 sides of the room, the fourth lined with shelves of Italian and local wines; cast iron scroll work, dark woods, Bentwood chairs all gave a relaxed and casual feel. Surprsingly, for a Monday night the restaurant was very busy.
First job was choosing some wine. Vikki was given the task, but being unsure she consulted the sommelier on her two choices and we went with her number two choice of Tenuta Gorghi Tondi, Coste A Preola, Nerro d'Avola from Sicily. Wow, not too heavy, very easy to drink and with lots of character and flavour. Nice to try something new and different that really excites you. The sad part is we haven't found a bottle shop in Sydney that sells it.
For entree Mr. Time Dealer and I both had the Alba style free-range raw beef carpaccio with truffled white walnut puree, Testun di Barolo cheese, rocket cress, wild baby olives and handmade rosemary grissini. Testun Di Barolo cheese is cheese that has had the grapes that have been pressed to make Barolo wine, pressed onto the cheese surface during maturation.
Vikki went a bit vegetarian and had Beetroot salad with burrata, fresh mint, beetroot jelly, crisp breadcrumbs, Pendolino Aceto Secco Vinegar and King Island Ligurian honey dressing. Burrata is one of Vikki's favourite Italian cheeses and is similar to a mozzarella but with a lovely, soft, almost liquid centre.
For mains Mr. Time Dealer and I both chose the same dish again, Ten hour slow cooked British breed beef, parsnip puree, grilled green shallots, pearl garlic, amarena sour cherry sauce. We really enjoyed it very much, after ten hours cooking the beef was very tender and moist.
I knew what Vikki was going to have before she finished choosing the wine. I know she loves a slow cooked pork belly and there it was on the menu, Milk braised pork belly with house made pork belly, sage & pistachio sausage, warm fava and controne bean salad.
As we were having a great time we decided to have some dessert. Mr. Time Dealer and I again followed each other and ordered Black chocolate millefeuille with blackcurrant and blackberry sorbet, blackberry sauce. When it came out I was amazed to see that the pastry layers had been made with chocolate.
Vikki ordered the Blood orange olive oil ricotta fritters with “Fior di Latte” vanilla sorbet. The aroma as this was bought to the table was absolutely amazing. The orange and orange blossom scent was very pleasant.
After a fantastic meal it was time to say goodnight to Mr. Time Dealer and stretch our legs a little before heading our seperate ways.
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