Aperitivo, Leichhardt

This post is sorta late by a month =P reasons for which might become apparent later. I went to Aperitivo in Leichhardt with my school friends to celebrate my best friend's birthday. It was quite nice going to a restaurant on a Sunday night when both the suburb and the restaurant were not crowded...sooo much more of a relaxed feel.

So once all of us had arrived, the waiter who was really nice explained how it works - everything is sorta tapas-style pretty much, so you just order a few things, they suggest how much of each you should get depending on how many guests you have, and they deliver them one by one! Simple!

The feel and ambiance of this place is really nice and relaxed, which is what they are aiming for I think - a place to sit back, relax and unwind with friends and a nice glass of wine (as it is after all a wine bar and restaurant)....apparent by the huge chalkboard wine list on the wall =P.

We decided to order a few things off the menu, mix it up a bit with ones some of us hadn't had before, such as beef cheeks (so tender!!). The menu was quite extensive, and a bit like upmarket Italian-style tapas.

Sorry in advance for the lack of proper names for these dishes - it seems that the online menu is different from the one we had....

Crusty Fried Baby Prawns with this AWESOME dip (can't remember what it was but it was a bit like aioli)

Lamb and Chorizo Skewers with Romesco Sauce (again, loved the sauce!)

Scallops wrapped in Pancetta, served with Eggplant Mousse, Fig & Port Reduction

Pan-Fried Calamari stuffed with Spinach and Feta

Braised Beef Cheeks with Chickpeas (OMG so TENDER!)

Chicken Involtini with Silver Beet Spinach and Stracchino Cheese served with Saute Watercress and Smoked Salt

Our 2 sorta forgettable pizzas - Diavolleto (salami, provola, olives, tomato, gorganzola) and Capricciosa (ham, mozzarella, mushrooms, tomato, artichokes, olives)

Calzone Verde - Spinach, Ricotta,
Buffalo Mozzarella, Parmesan

The pizzas were very disappointing in my opinion. The bases where a bit like Lebanese bread and the toppings didn't have much flavour or oomph. The girls seemed to like the calzone, I obviously didn't try it because of my aversion to that much cheese =P. But I've definitely had better pizza, even in places that wouldn't rate as high as this on the 'places you must go eat at' list.

Strangely, and this is why I didn't really post this straight after we went, I didn't really feel satisfied after this meal. So most of this things tasted nice, but, I just still felt slightly hungry, or like the meal wasn't finished? Like I hadn't really had a great, proper, filling meal. Normally tapas, even though it small amounts of lots of dishes, leaves you feeling full and satisfied. Having said that, we were so keen to order dessert....and lemme tell you that really really REALLY made me feel full. Well, that's what 6 yeasty doughnuts dunked in nutella fondue does to you =P.

Profiteroles filled with Toblerone Ricotta and Creme Anglaise

Nutella Tart! With Banana Ice Cream and Honeycomb Crumbs....Looks the nicest in my opinion!

Tiramisu Cannoli served with Espresso Semifreddo and Illyquore Infused Strawberries....apparently not the nicest dessert on offer

Forgot to take a picture of the Italian Doughnuts with Nutella Fondue,
but here's one of me eating all 6 of them =P

But yes, for some reason the food just didn't make it a really great meal, more of a good meal. Would I come here again? Not sure....definitely not for the pizza....but if they released a new menu I'd probs go, just because they do have some interesting things on the menu.


Aperitivo
163 Norton St
Leichhardt NSW 2040
Ph: (02) 9564 0003
http://www.aperitivo.com.au/



=) xx