It wasn’t hard to convince me to return to La Scala on Jersey. Not only is it a great restaurant, it’s also a cocktail bar which is as much about the groovy space, pithy slogans and sight gags as it is about great food and cocktails. Scurry in during September (wine month) to receive three Antipasti and three different 250ml carafes of wine per couple for $65. Your sensory journey at the vibrant communal table starts with the fabulous apricot and candy nose of a 2009 Torre Varano Falanghina from Campania, Italy. It’s matched by fat, tasty Prawns in a Sicilian Caponata, atypical enough to make me really like the sauce (and that’s saying something). Now I’ve never met a broad bean I haven’t liked, so the Mozzarella di Bufala Bruschetta with Pounded Raw Broad Beans, Basil, Mint and Pecorino was delightful; softening up the 2009 Chrismont La Zona Sangiovese beautifully. The only negative I could come up with was that the aforementioned Caponata sauce sullied my selection of Pino’s Cured Meats somewhat, so I’d have preferred them on separate plates. The charismatic charm of stellar staff lead by David Walters makes me feel churlish for even mentioning it… Go get amongst it!
La Scala On Jersey Cocktail Bar
Corner Jersey Road & Melrose Lane, Woollahra
Ph: (02) 9357 0815 www.lascalaonjersey.com.au
Italian $$$$
