Jamie's Italian

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One of the most lovable TV chefs is also a keen businessman, opening up a range of Italian restaurants around Australia. Threatened by liquidation of the company that used to own it, Jamie Oliver has since then bought back the Sydney restaurant named after himself and the menu has been refreshed to include a pretty good deal - 2 courses for $25, 3 courses for $30 Super Lunch (available Monday to Saturday). 

The menu is not limiting at all - you can choose from 4 entrees, 5 main courses and 3 desserts; and they are all very substantial. 

One of the entrees, for example, is the truffle tagliatelle - this is probably my favourite dish at Jamie's (and one of the few dishes that would tempt me back). Black truffle is, of course, an acquired taste - one I happen to love; and it is combined with a lovely soft porcini mushroom and al dente pasta.

Truffle Tagliatelle
The pate bruschetta is also delicious: grilled bread topped with a generous slathering of chicken liver pate, panchetta and parmesan; it is satisfyingly salty and rich. 

Pate bruschetta
While the entrees are pretty impressive, the mains leave a bit to be desired. 

The spaghetti features a generous serving of pipis in a sauce of garlic, chilli, white wine, capers, parsley, butter and lemon - the flavours are wonderful, but the pasta is quite overcooked and limp.

Spaghetti Vongole
The chicken club is not recommended at all - my friends who picked this option reported that the chicken is dry, flavourless, and there is no discernible sauce to ameliorate the situation (although the menu does list a rather intriguing "spicy ‘nduja mayo" as one of the ingredients).

Gennaro's Chicken Club
The desserts are just ok. 

The 'epic chocolate brownie' is presented in an impressive manner, however I think the flavours could be tweaked a little. The ice-cream is supposedly salted caramel, but the salt really does not come through. Therefore, the dish becomes a sweet on a sweet on sweet affair that leaves your taste buds rather tired after a couple bites; and the brownie is a little too mushy for my liking - though that could be a matter of personal choice. I like my brownies a bit crumbly on the outside and chewy on the inside. 

Epic Chocolate Brownie
The wobbly panna cotta is a little plain (and to be honest, not that wobbly). The panna cotta itself is supposed to be "vanilla yogurt" flavoured, but the acidity of the yogurt doesn't come through. On the other hand, the acidity comes through just a sliver too much on the berry coulis.

Wobbly Panna Cotta
Score: 2/5
If it weren't for the amazing deal, I would not call it a wonderful meal. Is it pleasant? Absolutely. Amazing? No. 
Price: a very good deal - at $10 a course, you are doing pretty well value-wise. However, I make two points: first, despite the good value, I would rather pay a bit more for better Italian food; and second, I would not pay Jamie's regular prices for these items. 
Address: 107 Pitt St, Sydney


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