Alio *UPDATED*
Image: "When you're twenty three and you go to the bank and get a loan, you don't move to Circular Quay," quips owner/Chef Ashley Hughes. He’s neatly accounted for the location of his spacious stalwart on the 'wrong side' of the Surry Hills; but not it's longevity.
“When you’re twenty three and you go to the bank and get a loan, you don’t move to Circular Quay,” quips owner/Chef Ashley Hughes. He’s neatly accounted for the location of his spacious stalwart on the ‘wrong side’ of the Surry Hills; but not it’s longevity. Ten years is outstanding in the restaurant trade – heck in any trade. It speaks to consistency, value for money, and making most of what diners eat – from the crisp Grissini, to the light, fluffy Focaccia, to the tart Blood Orange Sorbet – in house. Dine throughout June on a well-priced, celebratory ten-course Greatest Hits Degustation ($80/person, $110/with wines). The menu presents a dish from each year of operation, sans tricks – well, unless you count the truffled green peaches cut to look like olives on the standout Bresaola as tricky. Ashley’s Barra in a Bag is nicely cooked and popular for a reason. I was more excited by the excellent cooking of the Hawkesbury River Calamari with Chilli and Lemon, refreshingly plated up to look just like a squid. Spring for the matching wines; sister and co-owner Tracey Hughes goes the extra mile to find interesting yet easy drinking wines including a fragrant Italian Pecorino.
Alio
5 Baptist St, Surry Hills
Ph: (02) 8394-9368 www.alio.com.au
Modern Italian $$$$
