Ragu Pasta and Wine Bar, Level 5, Westfield Sydney |
Options abound – in addition to pasta, there are daily specials and Italian mains, including beef involtini, crumbed cotoletto and a roast of the day of lamb of with vegies the day I visited.
The pasta cabinet |
Pretty pasta displays |
Fettucine with boscaiola sauce |
It’s made special with quality strips of bacon and an array of gourmet mushrooms – not a button in sight but plenty of cute, brown chestnut mushrooms and some larger sliced variety.
The pasta is al dente in a most perfect manner with none of that sticking together of noodles that I find happens at home with fettucine.
Conchiglie with gorgonzola sauce |
The sauce is expectedly rich and creamy while the pasta shells are on the very firm side of al dente – a little too undercooked for my liking, though I can’t be sure how conchiglie are meant to be cooked.
The lack of greenery all round strongly encourages us to get a side salad. The rocket, tomato and parmesan salad at a relatively pricey $12 sets some pretty high expectations (the pastas were $13 and $15 each). What we receive, sadly, isn’t quite in line with the excellent value of the pasta, especially with the presence of some soggy rocket leaves.
Antipasti misti |
It’s one of the better value antipasti plates I’ve come across, laden with cured meats, cheeses, marinated vegetables, grissini and crispbread – suitable for three grazers, I think.
Antipasti misti - the other side |
Of the cheeses, the grape-skin topped pecorino (I think) is a talking point, while some of the soft cheeses have been somewhat impacted by the juices of the pickled onions – but not so the bitey parmigiano reggiano which is impressively rich with its full flavour.
Despite the official 6.00–6.30pm-ish closing time, the customers keep coming to Ragu Pasta and Wine Bar; most looking like city workers looking for post-work respite in pastas, soups, antipasti and of course, lots of Italian wine. It just a little bit of heaven – in the middle of a shopping centre.
12 comments:
I'll have to check this place out, properly cooked fresh pasta is always a winner.
You had me at gorgonzola sauce. Ok, drooling now.
$15 is a great deal considering $13 gets you a hot dog and chips!
The antipasto plate looks like a winner!
Oh yum - these pictures have my mouth watering...and I too always need to order a side salad to offset the guilt of whatever it is I'm stuffing into my mouth.
Definitely one to try out soon, but so many options!
Nice reporting, Tina!
Was thinking of hitting this up on Monday after walking by interested on many an occassion. Fresh pasta is indeed worth getting very excited about.
wow fresh pasta...
god this looks so nice... nothing like a bowl of fresh pasta for syd's cold weather mmhhhh
Hi laterleating - It sure is!
Hi John - They had me a fresh pasta...
Hi Zina - I know, pretty good compared to some of the neighbouring outlets.
Hi susan - It's a pleasingly generous plate :)
Hi MissPiggy - Yep, it's the vegie-guilt part of the brain. And potatoes dpn't count for me... :S
Hi joey - Yep, I'm looking forward to trying all the combinations! :D
Hi Jobe - Thanks. Don't walk past next tine ;)
Hi Dolly - Yeah, the creamy sauces especially!
$15 is a really good deal for the Westfields as most of the meals that I saw there were about that price but not quite as exciting.
wow look at all that fresh pasta it looks gr8!!
Hi Lorraine - Totally agreed. Microwave pasta at lunch just won't cut it anymore...
Hi Two fit and fun gals - Sure does!
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