north bondi italian food

118 Ramsgate Ave
North Bondi NSW
www.idrb.com/northbondi/

There’s something about Bondi. It may not be our most beautiful of beaches but it does have a charm of it’s own. There are few better things to do in Sydney, especially when the sun is shining, than walk along the coast track from Bronte or even Coogee to our most iconic beach. Add in the reward of a late lunch or an early dinner and we’re talking a perfect day.

Fortunately there are a few options for feeding a well earned hunger and North Bondi Italian has to be close to the top of the list. Striking the perfect balance between casual beach chic and affordability, it’s been one of my favourite haunts for a while now. The perfect place to take an ex-Sydney mate for a belated birthday dinner to remind him of how good our harbour city is.

loved

the food(!) – a brilliant example of the goodness of simple italian
the salumi – produced by Robert Marchetti, Icebergs chef – just the thing for someone going through painful jamon withdrawls after a trip to Spain
the carpaccio – I’ve had each of the three carpaccios on the menu and have enjoyed them all immensely. the beef dererves a special mention. So tender it almost melts in the mouth with a perfectly savoury herb salsa it is at once both fresh and rich. more please.
the crispy Italian style potatoes – garlic rosemary potato heaven
the pasta – have yet to try the spaghetti arrabbiata baked in a paper bag as I keep getting side tracked by the rigatoni
the view – hello Bondi
the inexpensive wine list with a good mix of italian stallions and local versions of the same

didn’t love

the noise – while I’m all for a good buzzy vibe, the noise levels at North Bondi tend to border on heavy metal concert rather than jazz soiree. I hate to sound like a granny. but it can make it difficult to hear if you’re in a group. On the up side it does give you a good excuse to cosy up if you’re a table for 2.
the tiny tables – maybe I just always over order but I always feel that everything ends up being balanced uncomfortably precariously
the loos – have had a paint job since I last visited – now a not-so-easy on the eye bright green. bring back the chalk board black.
the zucchini, asparagus, peas, beans, mint, waxy potatoes, air dried ricotta – disappointing. I was thinking of the peas with some sort of cheese at Icebergs but this was a mix of too many things going on to be interesting

ate

guanciale _ pork cheek salumi
baccala fritto – crispy fried salt cod balls, aioli, lemon
carpaccio of pepper crusted ox fillet, salsa erbe with bruschetta
rigatoni, house made berkshire pork sausages, sage, tomato, garlic and chilli sauce
crispy Italian style potatoes, garlic, rosemary
zucchini, asparagus, peas, beans, mint, waxy potatoes, air dried ricotta

on previous visits have also tried:
air freighted buffalo mozzarella with butter lettuce and cherry tomatoes
polpette – veal, pork and mortadella fried balls with lemon and celery salad
carpaccio new zealand king salmon, fresh chilli, eschallot, parsley
carpaccio white fish, roasted fennel seeds, dried chilli, mint, lemon
coteletta – parmesan crumbed milk fed veal cutlet with lemon
la tagliata – chargrilled hereford / angus rib eye, rocket, green peppercorns, chilli, spring onions

drank

2007 Tenuta Sant’ Antonio Valpolicella

value

excellent for the quality – about $100 for 2 + drinks

reservations

none taken but you can have a drink in the bar while you wait. it can take a while if you arrive on a sunny Sunday afternoon but can be surprisingly quick if you rock up for an early dinner before 7ish.

perfect for

a casual lunch or dinner to showcase all that is great about sydney – with some seriously good simple italian food as a bonus