For an Italian dining experience described as “bigtime Italian” by the handsome Doctor M (my friend is not a doctor, but has insisted I refer to him at this in this post), Pendolino in The Strand Arcade delivers old school charm with sophisticated food.
From the pillowy soft focaccia, that I eagerly shoved in my face with greedy little hands, I knew that Pendolino was going to get things right. Having not eaten all day I needed something hearty and robust: venison pasta. Littered with hunks of delicious Bambi, the pasta is al dente and the pork belly ragu is rich and satisfying. The Bambi is washed down well with a cherry-laden red.
Dessert is Semifreddo Di Torrone Alle Mandorle – a semifreddo, teeming with nougat chunks and candied almonds. The delicate flavour of Ligurian honey and almond milk reminds me of a chocolate-less Toblerone. Smashing.
I have only scraped the surface of Pendolino. The menu is wall to wall glorious Italian mayhem and the service is formal and polite. One of Sydney’s gems.
