It’s Friday night in the first week of 2015 and Bron and I had plans to dine at Bicicletta Restaurant in New Acton.
Bicicletta Restaurant is in the new Peppers Gallery Hotel where the old Diamante Hotel used to be. When we arrived we notice there was a lot of outdoor seating and when we went inside we also noticed how still and warm the air was. Like most everyone else we elected to dine outside and enjoy the warmth and vegetation. It was quite good for people watching outside and we were surrounded by a mix of locals and tourists who may have been in town for Summernats.
The menu was a good combination of Italian fare including pasta and pizza. We decided to share the fritto di calamari (fried baby squid with zucchini strips and spicy basil mayonnaise) for a starter and Bron chose the pappardelle al braciato di agnello (house made pasta with braised lamb in balsamic, truffle oil, thyme and grated pecorino cheese) for her main. I went for the guanaciale di maiale (pork belly braised in balsamic and herbs, apple and rhubarb mousse, sweet balsamic reduction gluten free) and we agreed to share the insalata di stagione (crispy pancetta, tomatoes and butter lettuce, poached egg and black olives, parmesan scales and Italian dressing gluten free) as a side.
The calamari was tender and had a lovely spicy kick to it. I’d happily eat more of this.
Bron’s lamb was tender and full of flavour. The pasta was soft and absorbed the flavours.
Image courtesy of Bron
Image courtesy of Bron
The salad had a lovely mix of pancetta, olives, tomatoes, lettuce and a poached egg.
My pork belly was good. Not the greatest pork belly but it was certainly tender and the crackling for the most part was crunchy with a few chewing bits around the edge. The night before Bron had cooked pork belly and it was much better. The crackling was perfect and the meat full of flavour.
Bron captured me preparing my plate and enjoying the moment.
Image courtesy of Bron
Image courtesy of Bron
For dessert Bron asked for a scoop of hazelnut gelato and I asked for an affogato.
We both enjoyed our meals at Bicicletta. The atmosphere was good and the service mostly good. It was certainly friendly but the time between the starter and main was a little long and when Bron asked for the wine list before we had our main meals delivered it never arrived. To be fair, it was busy and English wasn’t the first language for many of the wait staff.
On the way out Bron captured me posing in front of some public art, “The Modern Man”.
Image courtesy of Bron. I need to grow my belly for a true likeness I need to eat more belly pork to be a Modern Man.
Have you been to Bicicletta Restaurant? What did you think?
Words from the Bicicletta website
Bicicletta serves authentic Italian dinner, seven days a week. Drop in any time to taste the award-winning menu, which boasts a variety of classic and modern dishes made using locally sourced, seasonal products and ingredients.
Home-made pizzas, pastas, gelati and great coffee, is what Bicicletta is best known for, but keep an eye out for daily specials made using the best ingredient sourced from the local markets. Bicicletta also boasts a carefully curated wine list that features both Australian and Italian drops.
All this food is served in a stylish but casual setting, which includes a beautiful outdoor courtyard (with blankets in winter) by the friendly and professional Bicicletta team.
Bicicletta is located inside the Peppers Gallery Hotel within the New Acton Precinct, with the brand new opened Nishi complex. For guests staying at the Peppers Gallery Hotel, a 24 hours room service is available as well as catering for events.