Overview
Italian food is useful for a variety of reasons. One is to comfort – there is nothing like tucking into a big bowl of pasta to make all of your cares disappear; the next is to share – antipasti platters and pizza are perfect for a communal dining experience; and finally, for romance – the richly flavoured sauces, the beautiful wine, and the possibility of a Lady and the Tramp moment makes Italian food one of the most sensual meals (never mind the garlic breath).
Thanks to our culturally diverse city, Brisbane has many wonderful Italian restaurants to choose from. Here are Concrete Playground’s top picks.
Mario Sarti
Located in Toowong, Mario Sarti is a Brisbane institution. Around since 1995, this restaurant has been providing Brisbane's western suburb residents with the hearty and delicious Italian food that they deserve. With an extensive menu including Italian specialties such as a mouth-watering carpaccio, and a smoky mozzarella salad, it is their pasta dishes that will truly soothe your soul. Try the Gnocchi Al Forno - house baked ricotta gnocchi, grilled with truffle & fennel sausage, smoked mozzarella, chilli, garlic & Napoli sauce - mama mia, we have a winner!
41 Sherwood Rd, Toowong; 07 3870 4933; www.mariosarti.com.au
Bucci
Fresh to James Street in 2012, Bucci Restaurant provides a diverse menu with some light yet impressive salads, a large range of pastas on offer, and some exciting mains. The staff are enthusiasts who are keen to help you pick out the perfect matching wine to your dish. For those after a light dish, the salads are unique and full of delicious flavours - try the Il Polpo Arristito - chargrilled octopus with fennel, avocado and tomato. For the meat lovers you must try the Bistecca Di Manzo - rib fillet on the bone with rosemary and anchovy butter sauce - perfectly complementary to a juicy piece of beef.
15 James Street, Fortitude Valley; 07 3852 3323; www.buccirestaurant.com.au
Popolo
Popolo in South Bank is the ideal Italian sharing restaurant. With entrees and mains designed to be shared, this is the perfect place for a great get together with family and friends to connect over delicious food. Using locally sourced produce, Popolo have created a menu full of mouth-watering options, the only arguments you will have at dinner is over what to choose. White bait, sardines or anchovies? Beef or pork? In this instance we recommend the Lattonzolo E Pesche - suckling pig with peaches and anchovy sauce. To die for.
3 Sidon Street, Southbank; 07 3846 7746; www.popolodining.com
Beccofino
If your mind is set on pizza perfection, then Beccofino in Teneriffe is the place for you. Their pizza menu is so extensive that it is split into 'rosse' and 'bianche' - pizzas with or without a tomato sauce base. Cooked in their wood-fired oven the smell and flavour of these pizzas have the power to teleport you to a small Italian city of your choice, with their authenticity. We highly recommend the Pizzaiolo - tomato, pancetta, ricotta, zucchini and chilli.
10 Vernon Tce, Teneriffe; 07 3666 0207; www.beccofino.com.au
Tartufo
Located at the Emporium in Fortitude Valley, Tartufo offers a dining experience of the finest quality. For a romantic night out of eating until you practically burst, you must try one of the two degustation options at Tartufo. But really, the degustation is a wonderful option for foodies or for those wanting to have an Italian food awakening. The seven or nine course degustations offer incredible samples of Italian food from carpaccio to risotto to incredible desserts. They also have a regular menu for those who like to steer their own course.
1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley; 07 3852 1500; www.tartufo.com.au