Bambino Ristorante is the pesto both worlds.
Bambino Ristorante is the pesto both worlds.
Oh, Italia. As all-around food enthusiasts we are quite pasta-ial to alll the Italian eats, and by ‘quite partial’, we mean down 24/7 (mental note: check if breakfast pasta is a thing).
If our recent run of balmy weather also lulled you into a false sense of security, and you also were low-key hoping we’d just skip winter this year, same. However with the temps officially plummeting, our unhealthy denial tendencies have been foiled and we’ve officially moved into our yearly comfort food era. Nothing compares to the soul-hugging, carb-coma inducing satisfaction of a big ol’ bowl of Italian food made with love.
If you’re yet to stumble across Bambino Ristorante, this hidden gem has created quite the name for itself among central GC locals as so much more than just your everyday neighbourhood Italian joint. For Bambino Ristorante, sumptuous authentic Italian food is just one pizza what keeps customers coming back for more. A dual-level establishment with two dedicated performance areas, a cello playing owner and live music every night, this fun-filled musical restaurant never skips a beat when it comes to unforgettable mems and good vibes.
Like many, with the world coming to a grinding halt in 2020 owner Max Tu had time on his hands to dream and scheme. Ultimately, he was inspired to create his own Venn diagram where all three of his passions – food, hospitality and entertainment, overlap into one perfect circle that is Bambino Ristorante. After moving from Taiwan in 2014, Mr Tu spent some years studying and working within the hospitality industry in Adelaide. As inevitable as catching a red light along the Gold Coast highway, of course it was only a matter of time until he saw some sense we stole him away from our Southern friends. Bambino caught Max’s attention for ‘being a venue where guests can have a great meal while enjoying live music, singing and dancing’, and with the addition of state-of-the-art audio equipment it has only continued to evolve into an establishment that is pasta-tively adored by it’s supportive community.
Bambino’s classic fit-out perfectly complements the welcoming, traditional neighbourhood restaurant and community vibe they’ve built. There’s no mistaking you’re in the right place, and if the bold ‘Italian restaurant’ illuminated brighter than Yatala’s controversial ‘Gold Coast’ installation doesn’t tip you off, then the literal vintage red car protruding from the front façade sure will. Nostalgic interior nods are an ode to Italy: crisp white tablecloths, black leather seating, crushed velvet and moody surrounds all provide the perfect backdrop for this dinner-and-a-show experience.
We’re pleased to also report the eats are just about as authentic as you can get without, y’know, a 20 hour flight, so it’s winner winner scallopini dinner as far as we’re concerned. Of course, the starters offer up all the faves you’d expect, but let’s face it – as soon as we spy Nonna’s Meatballs with veal, pork and fennel meatballs cooked in rich sauce served with parmesan croutes and grated pecorino, we need look no further (but if someone else orders the Bruschetta, we won’t complain about taste testing either).
The Nice Cheeks – 18 hour slow-cooked premium Angus beef cheek, chat potato & red wine jus are a must try, while the Bella Mignon Chicken & Prawn wrapped with smoked speck, seasonal vegetables in a creamy mushroom sauce offers the best of both worlds for the sea-foodies among us. We’re not about to commit any culinary sins by skipping the extensive pizza and pasta selection – might we suggest the Gamberetta pizza with tomato, king prawns, red onions, roasted capsicum & capers and Penne Ragout, Braised Wagyu Ragout, penne pasta with grated pecorino respectively.
Since the calories are already a write off, you might as well go all out and finish with something from the Bambino Ristorante dessert holy trinity: Tiramisu, Cannoli or Small Dessert Pizza laden with nutella, banana, rich Frangelico anglaise & candied walnuts served with vanilla ice-cream.
No matter what you opt for, a trip to Bambino Ristorante will be a feast for the senses and a (maybe literal) serenade for the soul. It’s impossible to say for sure what’s more buttery smooth, the nightly entertainment or the Truffle Pappardelle.
Where: Shop 3/117 Ashmore Rd, Bundall
When: Tuesday-Saturday 5pm-9pm, with lunch 12-3pm Friday & Saturdays
Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Brittany Kreskas.
STORY SPONSORED BY BAMBINO RISTORANTE.
There are many things we never grow tired of and eating Italian is one of them. Our carb-pacity to carbo-hydrate (eat carbs and hydrate. With wine) is forever fierce and try as we might to give the whole Keto thing a nudge, just kidding, we’ve never tried. We know we’re not alone here, and lucky us living in a city brimming with quality Italian nosheries, like Broadbeach’s Luna’s Pizza & Wine.
Taking over Sofia’s previous digs at The Oasis in December last year, Luna’s shares more than just an address with her fellow Euro palette-pleaser. Both restaurants are owned by the one and only Henry Hunt, who couldn’t part with Sofia’s prime foot traffic position, glorious open kitchen, and signature wood-fire oven. Henry, quite frankly, can do no wrong, previously managing Sydney icon Establishment, Bert’s Bar & Brasserie, as well as fine dining steakhouse 6Head in Sydney Harbour.
Luna’s and Sofia’s also share Executive Chef Daniil Paulman who boasts a resume any name-dropper would be proud of. With stints at local institutions The Fish House and Etsu, he’s anything but an ‘im-pasta’. Daniil is joined by Head Chef and Pizzaiolo Mattia Bianchi, who’s been making pizzas for over 20 years, so yeah, he knows his way around a Capricciosa. Starting his career at Ristorante Il Capriolo in Italy, he relocated to Melbourne opening Esplanade in St Kilda, before moving to Cicchetti in Isle of Capri and of course, Sofia’s.
With indoor and outdoor seating, voyeur-friendly open kitchen, and capacity for 50 people (or 80+ standing), it’s impossible to walk ‘pasta’ and not be drawn in by the amazing aromas and ambiance. Shopfit Co have nailed the modern Italian aesthetic, using a traditional but tasteful colour palette of red, green and white, along with modern black accents and a juxtaposition of textures. You immediately feel the warmth with stunning exposed bricks (a-la-Sofia 1.0), and the red and white fringed umbrellas out front. Green is introduced in the form of oh-so-now olive trees which always give us those exotic Mediterranean feels #mood. Inside you’ll find the famous brick woodfire oven in all its glory and the open kitchen, complete with a contemporary black subway tile backdrop.
Authentic Italian dishes await with a mouth-watering range of antipasti, pizza, pasta and sides. To get the ball rolling, we recommend a serve of Mushroom Arancini coz dough and pasta aren’t enough so let’s add rice…#WorthTheBloat. With mushroom, parmesan and truffle rice balls lightly fried, served with porcini mascarpone, they’re the only way to eat your shrooms.
The signature pasta is hands down the Gnocchi al Tartufo with hand-made gnocchi, cream, mascarpone, truffle paste, and truffle oil and LBH, this is our dream dish. Pizza enthusiasts will go bonkers for the signature Prosciutto Pizza, which is pure perfection with tomato, Fior di latte, San Daniele prosciutto, stracciatella, cherry tomatoes, parmesan, and rocket.
Now pizza and pasta are great and all, but let’s talk about cocktails and vino #AboutTime. The signature sip is a cracker, called Appassionato which sounds way more impressive with an Italian accent. With Absolut vodka, fresh lime juice, fresh passionfruit, sugar, and birds eye chili, one’s simply not enough. As for boozy ‘grape juice’, here’s the hot tip; there’s a secret beverage list featuring uber-premium wines from Sofia’s, BUT it’s only available upon request so #GetRequesting #You’reWelcome.
We may not be able to speak Italian but we sure as heck can eat it, and a meal at Luna’s Pizza & Wine is as good as it gets. ‘Crust’ us.
Where: Shop G0.71b The Oasis, Victoria Avenue, Broadbeach
When: 5pm – 10pm Monday to Wednesday, 12pm – 10.30pm Thursday to Sunday
Instagram: @lunasbroadbeach
Website: lunasbroadbeach.com.au
Words by Bianca Trathen.
Images by Belinda Symons.
PERMANENTLY CLOSED
Ever find yourself waking up, feeling like there’s a big Italian shaped hole in your life – or perhaps just your local eats scene? Well, we cannoli imagine the delight of all our Northern GC pals to learn of the new kid on the block, Cibo Sapori. When we tell you that you knead to drop everything and get yourself a booking #pronto we are not gnocchi-ng around. What’s that we hear? Yes, it’s the collective sound of the whole GC clamouring to get a caprese of that action.
Paradise Point’s gourmet newcomer opened its doors earlier this month, with owner Peter Williamson seeing a need for a ‘good Italian restaurant’, and we’d say mission well and truly accomplished. With a timeless and chic monochrome fit-out, the industrial and European influences shine (and no, we’re not just talking about the gorg brushed brass feature lighting and the glistening stone-topped bar) in a way that’s still true to its laidback beach locale. It certainly looks the part, and as far as the fare goes, it’s clear that Peter has left the culinary reigns in expert hands.
If your taste buds perk up at the sound of pecorino, hold on to your fedora, because we’re about to dish on the menu and we can’t even espresso how good it sounds. There’s the selection of breads (damn straight, they’re classics for a reason #drool) including ciabatta Bruschetta. It would be shell-fish of us not to mention the Capesante Gratinate aka fresh Hervey Bay in shell scallops creamy garlic sauce, provolone cheese with pink peppercorn – or could we perhaps truffle you for the Bresaola Tirolo Italian cured eye fillet of beef, with rocket leaves, grapefruit, parmesan shavings and truffle.
Napkins at the ready because next up is the main event, and what Italian restaurant worth its salt would not include a tantalising pasta, risotto and gnocchi selection. Sure, we could just copy/paste the whole carb-a-licious line up (because we srsly can’t narrow them down), or we could just leave you with a delicious description of the Gnocchi Norma: potato dumpling with fried eggplant in tomato sauce with salted ricotta cheese. #micdrop #we’lltaketwo. There’s also the classic Marinara, always a crowd pleaser: spaghetti with prawns, scallops, mussels & calamari in garlic chilli tomato sauce.
As for the sweet tooths, you’ll definitely want a pistachio of this action, whether it’s the Traditional Tiramisu or Cannoli.
With a menu that’s stronger than an Italian espresso, we have a feeling when word gets out about this new gem nestled in Paradise (Point), the GC will com-fort this delish nosh from far and wide.
Where: 3/8 Bruce Ave, Paradise Point
When: Dinner Wednesday – Sunday, Lunch Sunday
Words by Kellie Leader.
