(Delayed post from Saturday evening)
Ok I think I've had enough Asian food for now and was craving some Italian. Actually since I arrived I've been wanting some pasta in Carbonara sauce. I peeked at a few menu's as I traveled around and Amo Roma was the only one I saw that had carbonara on the menu. This restaurants was also recommended as a cheap eat in the Sydney Eats book.
The funny thing about Carbonara in Australia is that everywhere I saw it on a menu it was made with penne and sometimes with garlic and onion. I think that it's more traditional when it's with spaghetti, bacon, egg and pepper but not with bacon and onion.
The atmosphere at Amo Roma is mostly modern and doesn't even closely resemble a trattoria. The staff all have italian accents so I hope something authentic is happening in the kitchen. My hopes aren't too high because I selected a restaurant in The Rocks which is crammed with over priced tourist traps. I did a lot of wandering today so I wanted to stay close to my hotel.
For my starter I ordered an Italian salad which was priced at $14 (US$11.20). It's a rather big salad but I think the price is a bit steep. The salad comes with mixed greens, cuke, tomato, onion and olives all dressed in a simple balsamic ninegrette. For $14 they could at least add some cheese or cubed salami. Regardless I really wanted some greens and the salad was delicious.
For wine tonight I get a Rosemount Hill of Gold Shiraz, it's a nice bold, peppery shiraz and I am not sure it it matches my food but it tastes good. $8.50 (US$6.80)
My entree of Penne Carbonara is huge! It could feed 2 people but I gobble it all up myself. I do notice that the dish has the flavour of garlic which I think spoild the flavour of the egg sauce. The nice part about carbonara is in the light flavour of the egg. Regardless, it's not traditional but I settle for the concept because it still tastes good (especially with the meaty Australian bacon!). $24 (US$19.20)
Amo Roma has an good sized dessert list and most are priced at $8 (US$6.40). There is chocolate mud cake, lemon meringue pie, sticky date pudding and a variety of cheese cakes. Guess which one I select?
Yes, lemon meringue pie, another thing I've been craving. The pie is actually served in more of a tart shell and has mounds of meringue on it. The tart dough tastes great and the lemon filling is custardy and tart. $8 (US$6.40)
Amo Roma also has a board full of daily specials including pastas, pizzas, fish and meat. For example todays pizza special is pizza with Kangaroo filet, artichoke, onion, chilli and garlic. I bet the new Pope isn't eating that in Roma! I suprises me that Australian's eat their national animal. It would be like us Americans eating Kentucky Fried Bald Eagle. It just not right to eat the symbol of your national airline!
For food I will give Amo Roma a 3 on the low side. It's good food but lacks a bit of authenticity. Service and atmospher also get a low 3, they are attentive and polite but don't go out of their way nor are they overly friendly.
For price/value I would say they are making a lot of profit on their high italian food prices. $14 for a salad wil definitly pay the rent.
Regardless it was still a good meal and totaled out at $54.70 (US$43.75) which is quite steep for an average Italian meal with average service. I didn't even have coffee or tea!
Oh, don't expect a free basket of Italian bread, that costs $4.
Amo Roma, 135 George Street, The Rocks, Sydney
www.amoroma.com.au
Blogging from Australia with Blackberry and Cingular Wireless.
Actually it would be more like eating American Buffalo, an animal that would make a much more appropriate national animal for the United States. Or Ben Franklin's suggestion, the Turkey. Can you immagine eating turkey? That would be so weird!
Other Eric
Posted by: Eric | April 25, 2005 at 07:08 PM