Located in the striking, if controversial, Crown Casino building at Barangaroo, a'Mare is an elegant Italian restaurant which offers up exceptional Aussie produce paired with classic Italian ingredients in a menu that whisks one off to the sunny shores of Italy. It's been awarded a Chef's Hat through Good Food Guide, thanks to acclaimed chef Alessandro Pavoni who calls on his memories of his native Italy to conjure up dishes which inspire and delight.
The interior at a'Mare is elegant and sophisticated, with floor to ceiling windows allowing natural light to spill through the otherwise dimly lit venue during the day. In the afternoon, as the sun sets over Sydney Harbour the room lights up up with hues of yellow, pink and orange which easily transport one to Sicily, especially if enjoying a glass of chianti. In the evening its cool and smart and the service is professional and friendly.
The menu here is as long as the Italian coastline, and we opted to start from the antipasti de mare menu. Enjoy wild caught red snapper crudo with citrus dressing chilli dil and finger lime or the 'Selezione a Mare' with snapper crudo, calamari and caviar, scampi and scallop gratin.
For something more filling at a'Mare opt for ravioli of rock lobster and burrata or the deliciously succulent roasted rack of lamb served with salsa verde, horseradish and lamb jus. The pesto pasta is also a must-try, for both the taste and experience. For this dish, the waiter makes the pesto at your table (in a huge mortar and pestle) before sending it off to the kitchen to be added to the homemade pasta. It's doesn't get much fresher than this.
There is also a vegan and vegetarian menu at a'Mare as well as desserts which includes the mouth-watering Italian classic tiramisu. Pair it with a cocktail of coconut rum, yoghurt liqueur and mango foam and you are well on your way to an Italian summer.
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