In January this year I went to visit my Mum, Sister and Brother in Canberra, Australia. I took my friend with me as Tub was reluctant to fly long distance. While I was there it would be my birthday so on that night we all went out for dinner to a well known Italian restaurant called Bellucci's.I believe there are around of 3 or 4 branches of this restaurant in the city and we chose the Dickson one which was probably the closest to us.
We had a 7pm reservation and arrived on time. The dining area was very large and open plan with lots of tables quite close together but well laid. The kitchen area was also open with only a counter separating it from the tables. The decor was neutral and modern but inviting.
As soon as we sat down a server came over to take our drinks order and handed us large menus. The variety was excellent with lists of pastas, pizzas and international cuisine going on forever. To be honest, it was hard to choose as everything sounded great.
We decided to order some garlic bread to share for a starter while we waited for the main. I opted for a pasta dish called Linguine Al Formaggio while the others had pizza or pasta. The dishes didn't take long to arrive and looked fantastic.
My linguine was served with tender pieces of chicken, fresh tomato, ricotta and herbs in a light cream sauce. I added plenty of cheese to this (as I do with most compatible meals!)
I want to describe it more for you but I don't think my description could do this meal any justice no matter how hard i try. I have to say it was one of the best pasta dishes i have been served in my life - a perfect sized portion of the freshest ingredients creating a most perfect taste that I know I will never manage to recreate [insert sad face]
After the meal, everyone commented on how lovely their meals were. I tried a bit of my sister's pizza while not being the best pizza in the world, was still pretty nice but was really pleased with my own choice.
All in all it was a lovely night with the best company. I couldn't have asked for a better birthday in my favourite country with my favourite people and was pleased when on the last night of my holiday, we got to go back to Bellucci's to try that lovely pasta once again.
Food 9/10 excellent.
Price 8/10 From what I remember, it was a little expensive but justified.
Service 8/10 polite and efficient for it being so busy.
Showing posts with label Italian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Italian. Show all posts
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
Thursday, 3 April 2008
Jolly, Edinburgh
Last December, on a cold Friday night I went along to Tub's brother's birthday meal in Edinburgh. I love the capital city at night, especially at christmas. It has this great atmosphere and makes visiting a real treat.
After a battle through roadworks and heavy traffic, we first visited Le Monde in George Street, a classy bar with several themed levels which also offer meals. We were only stopping for a drink and seeing as Tub's parent's paid, I have no idea of how much it cost, although, I do imagine it would be quite expensive compaired to the average price for a pint. As it was a Friday night, the bar was bustling. It had a trendy, after-work feel about it and we struggled to hear ourselves over the loud chart music.
After about an hour, we headed to the restaurant for our meal. We were eating at Jolly, an Italian place near the Playhouse. On first arriving I have to admit both the exterior and interior left a lot to be desired. This was hardly the Ivy, but I suspected the food may make up for the grubby feel about the place.
Inside it was busy and tables were crammed together tightly into a small dining area. A wood burning oven was visable from our table and I watched the chef spinning the dough around in the air then popping it into the oven to create the most fantastic smell. I think it was at that moment I was convinced I just had to try the pizza!
For starters, most of our party ordered minestrone soup. I passed on a starter, opting to keep room for my pizza but did order a large glass of sweet white wine, which was delicious.
Not long after the starters were finished, the mains arrived. Tub and I both picked the half pizza half pasta deal, having pepperoni and lasagne. The meals arrived on plastic plates (I kid you not!) with a sloppy serving of lasagne next to half a slice of the thinnest pizza I have ever seen.
Unfortunately, the lasagne was very dissapointing. The presentation was enough to put you off (think thrown-onto-the-plate-without-a-care, school dinner style) and tasted like they had chucked the ingredients into a blender and poured it onto my (plastic) plate.
As you might have guessed, I am really passionate about lasagne. I refuse to buy ready made ones from supermarkets after growing up with my mum's homemade ones and if I'm honest, I found Jolly lasagne to be a major insult to lasagnes all over the world.
However, the pizza, well that was another matter. As i mentioned it was the thinnest, most delicate dough I have had the honour of laying my eyes on, topped with a perfect measure of tomato sauce underneath a layer of melted mozarella. The taste was, I assure you, as brilliant as it sounds. An absolute true taste of authentic Italy that has enticed me back to Jolly many a time since.
Despite the bad lasagne experience, I cannot stay mad at Jolly when they are making pizzas that good. When I venture into Edinburgh I can often be found ordering a pizza from Jolly. For a 12" Margarita it costs around £7 to take away and for 14" about £9. This is quite expensive in my opinion, but worth every penny for that freshly wood-burning oven taste. Be warned though, they tend to serve them unsliced (not good if you've forgot to pack a knife and fork!)
The general cost from what I have been told was around £6 for the pizza-pasta dish. There are other varieties for example spaghetti bolognase. A soup starter was about £3.
Since that night in December, the outside of Jolly has been revamped and looks great. I haven't been inside since, but if you do go remember to book in advance and don't let the dodgy decorating put you off. The staff were friendly and efficient and the overall experience was that of a pleasant one that I will repeat soon.
Food 9.5/10 for the pizza, the pasta was a poor 5/10
Price 8/10 considering it was the middle of Edinburgh
Service 8/10 Nice, friendly and did their job well
Jolly
9 Elm Row
Edinburgh
After a battle through roadworks and heavy traffic, we first visited Le Monde in George Street, a classy bar with several themed levels which also offer meals. We were only stopping for a drink and seeing as Tub's parent's paid, I have no idea of how much it cost, although, I do imagine it would be quite expensive compaired to the average price for a pint. As it was a Friday night, the bar was bustling. It had a trendy, after-work feel about it and we struggled to hear ourselves over the loud chart music.
After about an hour, we headed to the restaurant for our meal. We were eating at Jolly, an Italian place near the Playhouse. On first arriving I have to admit both the exterior and interior left a lot to be desired. This was hardly the Ivy, but I suspected the food may make up for the grubby feel about the place.
Inside it was busy and tables were crammed together tightly into a small dining area. A wood burning oven was visable from our table and I watched the chef spinning the dough around in the air then popping it into the oven to create the most fantastic smell. I think it was at that moment I was convinced I just had to try the pizza!
For starters, most of our party ordered minestrone soup. I passed on a starter, opting to keep room for my pizza but did order a large glass of sweet white wine, which was delicious.
Not long after the starters were finished, the mains arrived. Tub and I both picked the half pizza half pasta deal, having pepperoni and lasagne. The meals arrived on plastic plates (I kid you not!) with a sloppy serving of lasagne next to half a slice of the thinnest pizza I have ever seen.
Unfortunately, the lasagne was very dissapointing. The presentation was enough to put you off (think thrown-onto-the-plate-without-a-care, school dinner style) and tasted like they had chucked the ingredients into a blender and poured it onto my (plastic) plate.
As you might have guessed, I am really passionate about lasagne. I refuse to buy ready made ones from supermarkets after growing up with my mum's homemade ones and if I'm honest, I found Jolly lasagne to be a major insult to lasagnes all over the world.
However, the pizza, well that was another matter. As i mentioned it was the thinnest, most delicate dough I have had the honour of laying my eyes on, topped with a perfect measure of tomato sauce underneath a layer of melted mozarella. The taste was, I assure you, as brilliant as it sounds. An absolute true taste of authentic Italy that has enticed me back to Jolly many a time since.
Despite the bad lasagne experience, I cannot stay mad at Jolly when they are making pizzas that good. When I venture into Edinburgh I can often be found ordering a pizza from Jolly. For a 12" Margarita it costs around £7 to take away and for 14" about £9. This is quite expensive in my opinion, but worth every penny for that freshly wood-burning oven taste. Be warned though, they tend to serve them unsliced (not good if you've forgot to pack a knife and fork!)
The general cost from what I have been told was around £6 for the pizza-pasta dish. There are other varieties for example spaghetti bolognase. A soup starter was about £3.
Since that night in December, the outside of Jolly has been revamped and looks great. I haven't been inside since, but if you do go remember to book in advance and don't let the dodgy decorating put you off. The staff were friendly and efficient and the overall experience was that of a pleasant one that I will repeat soon.
Food 9.5/10 for the pizza, the pasta was a poor 5/10
Price 8/10 considering it was the middle of Edinburgh
Service 8/10 Nice, friendly and did their job well
Jolly
9 Elm Row
Edinburgh
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
