Baia THE ITALIAN, Cockle Bay Wharf, Sydney, Australia
Sydney used to be more known for its beaches while Melbourne is more known for its food, cafes and culture. However, Sydney is fast catching up and in recent years, more and more restaurants and cafes have sprouted around the city, making it a city that has everything under the sun. Well, nestled somewhere in the heart of the CBD, we visited Baia, THE ITALIAN on Cockle Bay Wharf. Having the impression that nothing could beat the restaurant standards of the famous Lygon Street in Melbourne, we were not expecting a lot when we decided to dine there. However, we were thrilled to be proven wrong. Read on and I bet that you'll be drooling before reaching the end of this post.
Risotto ai funghi - mushroom risotto $25 Pan roasted porcini mushroom risotto with chives, black truffles and cream fraiche This was a real gem. I normally dislike risottos as I normally find them a little overwhelming in terms of the cream that is used in the dish, however, I am pleased to say that this is one of the best risottos I have had so far. Will have to go to Italy to try out the more traditional and authentic ones before I comment any further :D
Pappardelle alla vegeteriana - $25 Homemade pappardelle with pan-roasted cherry tomatoes soft goats feta, baby spinach and cold pressed extra virgin olive oil. Pappardelles are extra large fettuccine and this is actually our first time trying it. Until today, I think italian pastas only vary in shapes not that much in taste, unlike chinese noodles which is very varied in all color, shape, taste and texture. Apart from the noodles being a little fatter than the usual fettuccine, I did not find this dish to be anything special.
Traditional Tiramisu - $17.50 The famous Italian Tiramisu is really just layers of homemade mascarporne and lady fingers soaked in coffee liquor and served on a lattice of vanilla bean anglaise and dark chocolate. Tiramisus are one of the most easy DIY cakes but I always would like to explore new and different versions to see if there are any rooms for improvements when I next make them. This is a little drier than my tiramisu recipe and is more of a cake than my serve-in-a-dessert-cup-and-eat-with-a-spoon version. So, I guess the art of dining really depends on the individual which version a diner prefers and there isn't really a perfect recipe that would satisfy everyone. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this version of the tiramisu, though I really do prefer like my own version where the cake drowns in coffee liquor as then the aroma of the coffee is so much stronger which then makes it more indulging than the drier version.
Passionfruit Souffle - served with lemon sorbet and fresh passionfruit - $17.50 OMG! This was definitely a dreamy dessert. The souffle arrived at our table feather light and airy. The crispy outer made it almost something to crave for every single day. Served with a dollop of icy lemon sorbet, this dessert is something to die for. Only downside is that I might not want to pay $17.50 for another one in the near future.
Address: Baia THE ITALIAN, 114 Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Harbour, 2000 Sydney, Australia Tel No: 9283 3434
Very good food at an Italian Restaurant - Favola, Le Meridian, Kuala Lumpur
I was very surprised but elated to receive a call from my friend who informed that another of our mutual friend whom we have not met for so many years offered to treat us to dinner at an Italitan Restauran, Favola in LeMeridian. Luckily for me, my friend chose an Italian restaurant as vegetarian food is always readily available at Italian eateries. I started off the night with the bread/breadsticks that came with three different types of dips. Then came my roasted portobello which was so divine and right with the fillings. I loved the florentino pizza the best but I have to comment that it is a little too salty for my 100% liking. The pizza was more than enough for one so I requested to doggie bag the remaining slices.
I had the doggie bagged pizza for lunch the next day and was very surprised to find the crust still stayed soft despite being in the fridge over night. I ate them without the need to reheat and was still very tasty.
I strongly recommend this restaurant to all Italian food lovers. Definitely worth the once-in-awhile splurge.
Warm and cozy atmosphere
Four different types of bread/breadsticks with 3 different dips
Garlic and Thyme Roasted Portobello with spinach and Lombardy Telegio cheese - RM 35 Florentina Pizza with spinach, garlic, portobello, mozzarella, parmesan cheese and tomato - RM 40
A piece of cake from the management for my friend who is celebrating his birthday
Name : Favola Italian Restaurant Address: Level 8, Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur, 2 Jalan Stesen Sentral 50470, Kuala Lumpur WP Tel: 03-2263 7434
Further to my previous post, I had the opportunity to try the famous Villa Danieli at Sheraton KL but only to be disappointed as the pasta was far from the ones I had in Melbourne (especially the ones prepared by my Italian uncle, aunt and cousin!). The tomato sauce was nothing to be boasted about as it was pretty bland and there was nothing special about it. I prefer the pasta at "Delicious", which has more character than the ones at Villa Danieli. BUT!! If you are looking for a quiet place to dine with your other half, wanting to snuggle in a quiet corner with soothing live singing in the background, this is the place to go. Dimmed lighting, spacious interior and delicious tiramisu (though not alcoholic), your significant other half is sure to be spoilt that night!
Starters - salad. I love the combination of fruits and salad veg
Pasta #1
Pasta #2 - Penne with tomato sauce
Pasta #3 - spaghetti with mushrooms
Fruit platter. oh how much i miss the blackberries and raspberries in Melbourne!!!
Feel so touched and grateful that our friends took the trouble to find out and brought us to this vegetarian restaurant which serves Oriental, Western and Italian. They claim that their food contain NO MSG and NO EGG and is wholesome and all the goodness in their dishes. Taste is good and prices are reasonable.
Heard that this restaurant was first opened in 1954 and serve real authentic Italian food and prices are cheap and portions are huge. So we all decided to have dinner there. The place is really old but the staffs are warm and explains the menu well. We placed our orders and the chef actually cooks the pasta right before our eyes. A young boy of 11 years old came in with his father and he told us that he has his meals there everyday for the past number of years and will continue to do so for many more years to come. Pasta, bread, coffee, cakes and desserts are all good and tasty Highly recommended.
Name: Pelligrini's Bar
Address:66 Bourke St Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel: 9662 1885 Open Hours:Mon-Sat 8am-11:30pm; Sun 11am-8pm
Two avid vegetarians are here to share some insights to the world of vegetarianism.
Hopefully, through this site, the lives of some animals can be spared. Always remember, animals have feelings too, they are our friends not our meal.
Garlic and Thyme Roasted Portobello
Name: Simple Food
Name: Pelligrini's Bar 
Vegetarian Party
Pot Luck Party