Comments on: Review: The Italian Bowl at Newtown http://www.notquitenigella.com/2008/04/15/the-italian-bowl-at-newtown/ The slightly eccentric eating and cooking adventures of a Sydney girl who loves cakes, cooking, Nigella Lawson and eating. She eats, breathes and dreams food and indeed will never get cable TV as she'd quit working and watch the Food Channel all day long. Sat, 30 Aug 2008 09:00:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Jenny http://www.notquitenigella.com/2008/04/15/the-italian-bowl-at-newtown/#comment-4846 Jenny Sat, 14 Jun 2008 08:51:18 +0000 http://www.notquitenigella.com/2008/04/15/the-italian-bowl-at-newtown/#comment-4846 Hi, It's all good. Again, sorry it wasn't to your standard. You may or may not wish to try us again, but please if you do and your not satisfied (which I highly doubt it), ask for the owner and tell them on the day. We do need to know if something is not right then and there so we can take care of it. I have sent your feedback to the chefs and this again is the first time I've had to do this. Take care and hope to see you at The Italian Bowl soon. Jenny Hi,

It’s all good.

Again, sorry it wasn’t to your standard.

You may or may not wish to try us again, but please if you do and your not satisfied (which I highly doubt it), ask for the owner and tell them on the day. We do need to know if something is not right then and there so we can take care of it.

I have sent your feedback to the chefs and this again is the first time I’ve had to do this.

Take care and hope to see you at The Italian Bowl soon.

Jenny

]]> By: Not Quite Nigella http://www.notquitenigella.com/2008/04/15/the-italian-bowl-at-newtown/#comment-4724 Not Quite Nigella Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:09:57 +0000 http://www.notquitenigella.com/2008/04/15/the-italian-bowl-at-newtown/#comment-4724 Hi Jenny-Thanks for your message :) I have no doubt that the Italian Bowl is very popular, the queues alone attest to that. I didn't mind the tortellini with chicken and peppercorns as a combination but as I said, I felt that the sauce wasn't balanced enough. So it wasn't the combination itself but the sauce itself that wasn't balanced. With the Spaghetti Bolognaise, I have to be honest, I didn't enjoy it that much and if your chef was having a bad day that's unfortunate. But I am giving you my honest opinion of it, as someone who adores spaghetti bolognaise. I understand your comment but looking at it as feedback is probably the best way to look at it :) Hi Jenny-Thanks for your message :) I have no doubt that the Italian Bowl is very popular, the queues alone attest to that.

I didn’t mind the tortellini with chicken and peppercorns as a combination but as I said, I felt that the sauce wasn’t balanced enough. So it wasn’t the combination itself but the sauce itself that wasn’t balanced.

With the Spaghetti Bolognaise, I have to be honest, I didn’t enjoy it that much and if your chef was having a bad day that’s unfortunate. But I am giving you my honest opinion of it, as someone who adores spaghetti bolognaise.

I understand your comment but looking at it as feedback is probably the best way to look at it :)

]]> By: Jenny http://www.notquitenigella.com/2008/04/15/the-italian-bowl-at-newtown/#comment-4716 Jenny Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:29:25 +0000 http://www.notquitenigella.com/2008/04/15/the-italian-bowl-at-newtown/#comment-4716 Hi All, Thanks for you comments, however as owner of The Italian Bowl am most disappointed. I respect any feedback, however am shocked of the review as this would be the first bad one in 3 years. I am sorry you didn't enjoy your meals but like I said in 3 years we havn't had this type of feedback. I hope you give it another try as I believe you will enjot it, in fact I will guarantee this. I am of Italian background and I never went to Italian restaurants as I, too, felt it was hard to compete with home cooking, but, our food at The Italian Bowl is freshly cooked in front of you and is very close to the home cooked meals. All our produced is fresh and delivered daily. The restaurant has been very successful, in fact, we serve approx 400 people a day. That's alot of people and it is true. Our restaurant represents fast, cheap, fresh and great food as well as a lively atmosphere, that's why we are so popular. So please, try us again and like I said, I will guarantee you will like it. Ask for Jenny when you go next and you still do not get what you want. I will also add, Tortelinni, chicken peppercorn is not a good combination, although people do go for it and our bolognese, well that is our most popular dish so the chef must have had a bad day that day. I am not making excuses because no day should be bad, but, it wouldn't be our most polpular if it wasn't good. Also, we are a fmaily business, not a franchise, however, considering the success we may open a few more. Take care to all and thanks for your feedback. Hi All,

Thanks for you comments, however as owner of The Italian Bowl am most disappointed. I respect any feedback, however am shocked of the review as this would be the first bad one in 3 years. I am sorry you didn’t enjoy your meals but like I said in 3 years we havn’t had this type of feedback. I hope you give it another try as I believe you will enjot it, in fact I will guarantee this. I am of Italian background and I never went to Italian restaurants as I, too, felt it was hard to compete with home cooking, but, our food at The Italian Bowl is freshly cooked in front of you and is very close to the home cooked meals. All our produced is fresh and delivered daily. The restaurant has been very successful, in fact, we serve approx 400 people a day. That’s alot of people and it is true. Our restaurant represents fast, cheap, fresh and great food as well as a lively atmosphere, that’s why we are so popular. So please, try us again and like I said, I will guarantee you will like it. Ask for Jenny when you go next and you still do not get what you want. I will also add, Tortelinni, chicken peppercorn is not a good combination, although people do go for it and our bolognese, well that is our most popular dish so the chef must have had a bad day that day. I am not making excuses because no day should be bad, but, it wouldn’t be our most polpular if it wasn’t good. Also, we are a fmaily business, not a franchise, however, considering the success we may open a few more. Take care to all and thanks for your feedback.

]]> By: Not Quite Nigella http://www.notquitenigella.com/2008/04/15/the-italian-bowl-at-newtown/#comment-4315 Not Quite Nigella Sat, 31 May 2008 14:08:43 +0000 http://www.notquitenigella.com/2008/04/15/the-italian-bowl-at-newtown/#comment-4315 Hi Le Black Book-It seems there are a lot of contrasting opinions on the Italian Bowl. I'm one of those people that can't stand shouting in a restaurant and it ruins the atmosphere for me and makes me feel tense. And for me that Spaghetti Bolognese just was such a disappointment. Thanks for the other rec though :) Hi Le Black Book-It seems there are a lot of contrasting opinions on the Italian Bowl. I’m one of those people that can’t stand shouting in a restaurant and it ruins the atmosphere for me and makes me feel tense. And for me that Spaghetti Bolognese just was such a disappointment. Thanks for the other rec though :)

]]> By: Le Black Book http://www.notquitenigella.com/2008/04/15/the-italian-bowl-at-newtown/#comment-4306 Le Black Book Sat, 31 May 2008 10:35:06 +0000 http://www.notquitenigella.com/2008/04/15/the-italian-bowl-at-newtown/#comment-4306 I go to Italian bowl about two times a week and I love it :) I have never had a bad dish and my partner has now gone through everything on the menu. The kitchen staff are quite vocal but it adds to the atmosphere and gives you something entertaining to watch while you are waiting. There is another place on King Street that is my favourite on the strip - The Pastizzi Cafe. The pastizzis are great and very addictive. The pasta dishes are very authentic and Nonna never lets us down. I go to Italian bowl about two times a week and I love it :) I have never had a bad dish and my partner has now gone through everything on the menu. The kitchen staff are quite vocal but it adds to the atmosphere and gives you something entertaining to watch while you are waiting.
There is another place on King Street that is my favourite on the strip - The Pastizzi Cafe. The pastizzis are great and very addictive. The pasta dishes are very authentic and Nonna never lets us down.

]]> By: Not Quite Nigella » Bertoni Casalinga at Balmain http://www.notquitenigella.com/2008/04/15/the-italian-bowl-at-newtown/#comment-3506 Not Quite Nigella » Bertoni Casalinga at Balmain Mon, 28 Apr 2008 22:01:45 +0000 http://www.notquitenigella.com/2008/04/15/the-italian-bowl-at-newtown/#comment-3506 [...] across the floor at each other, no matter how good naturedly it may be. Witness my discomfort at the Italian Bowl. So when I’m told that Bertoni’s in Balmain is a home style Italian cafe I’m a [...] [...] across the floor at each other, no matter how good naturedly it may be. Witness my discomfort at the Italian Bowl. So when I’m told that Bertoni’s in Balmain is a home style Italian cafe I’m a [...]

]]> By: Not Quite Nigella http://www.notquitenigella.com/2008/04/15/the-italian-bowl-at-newtown/#comment-3356 Not Quite Nigella Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:23:27 +0000 http://www.notquitenigella.com/2008/04/15/the-italian-bowl-at-newtown/#comment-3356 Hi Maria-Hope you are well! I think it is a one off place, although it does actually seem like it would be a franchise the way they do everything. I admit I was a bit confuddled with ordering and didn't think that mixing beef tortellini with chicken would be odd. The tortellini was ok-pretty much like the kind that you find at supermarkets and grocers. It wasn't very beefy so I didn't even notice. I really doubt they were made on the premises though sadly :( Mmm I actually thought I should've gone for the lasagne as that's usually done better than Spag Bol or the chicken or veal dishes but again, I was under pressure with a big line behind me. Why thankyou and thanks for your comment Maria! :) Hi Maria-Hope you are well! I think it is a one off place, although it does actually seem like it would be a franchise the way they do everything.

I admit I was a bit confuddled with ordering and didn’t think that mixing beef tortellini with chicken would be odd. The tortellini was ok-pretty much like the kind that you find at supermarkets and grocers. It wasn’t very beefy so I didn’t even notice. I really doubt they were made on the premises though sadly :(

Mmm I actually thought I should’ve gone for the lasagne as that’s usually done better than Spag Bol or the chicken or veal dishes but again, I was under pressure with a big line behind me.

Why thankyou and thanks for your comment Maria! :)

]]> By: Maria http://www.notquitenigella.com/2008/04/15/the-italian-bowl-at-newtown/#comment-3347 Maria Mon, 21 Apr 2008 04:52:01 +0000 http://www.notquitenigella.com/2008/04/15/the-italian-bowl-at-newtown/#comment-3347 Hi my foodie friend, I'm still playing catch-up with your lovely posts! Is this eatery a franchise of Italian pasta or is it a one-off place there in Sydney? I love green peppercorns in things and it seems sad that there weren't too many in the sauce. I found the combination of beef tortellini but with chicken in the sauce interesting?! Is the tortellini made on the premises.. would you know? I struggle to find a good tortellini in the supermarkets. Sad about the bolognaise.. but I guess.. like you I would have tried it too to see if they did a "good one". That's why I sometimes order lasagne's and chicken pargmagiana's (which to me, hints a limited 'safe' palate)..but I am always in search of something "brilliant"! Thanks for sharing this Lorraine! :-D Hi my foodie friend,

I’m still playing catch-up with your lovely posts!

Is this eatery a franchise of Italian pasta or is it a one-off place there in Sydney?

I love green peppercorns in things and it seems sad that there weren’t too many in the sauce. I found the combination of beef tortellini but with chicken in the sauce interesting?! Is the tortellini made on the premises.. would you know? I struggle to find a good tortellini in the supermarkets.

Sad about the bolognaise.. but I guess.. like you I would have tried it too to see if they did a “good one”. That’s why I sometimes order lasagne’s and chicken pargmagiana’s (which to me, hints a limited ’safe’ palate)..but I am always in search of something “brilliant”!

Thanks for sharing this Lorraine! :-D

]]> By: Not Quite Nigella http://www.notquitenigella.com/2008/04/15/the-italian-bowl-at-newtown/#comment-3256 Not Quite Nigella Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:26:47 +0000 http://www.notquitenigella.com/2008/04/15/the-italian-bowl-at-newtown/#comment-3256 Hi Tian-I've heard of Cordial but never been. I might have to check it out as the review I read did say it was good. Oh no, the non delivery of the promised spice or flavour is very frustrating! Hi Tian-I’ve heard of Cordial but never been. I might have to check it out as the review I read did say it was good.

Oh no, the non delivery of the promised spice or flavour is very frustrating!

]]> By: Tian http://www.notquitenigella.com/2008/04/15/the-italian-bowl-at-newtown/#comment-3252 Tian Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:32:43 +0000 http://www.notquitenigella.com/2008/04/15/the-italian-bowl-at-newtown/#comment-3252 ah love .. (: * * * * i think newtown's better is all off king street .. places like ism, satellite espresso and cordial .. other than that, cafe c's burgers aren't too bad, rise bakery's baked cheesecake and corelli's waffles we were at cooper's arm hotel bistro last night. atmosphere & service was great and ingredients fresh, but food lacking flavour. couldn't taste the "7 spices" on the soft shell crab nor the cajun on the chicken ah love .. (:

* * * *

i think newtown’s better is all off king street .. places like ism, satellite espresso and cordial .. other than that, cafe c’s burgers aren’t too bad, rise bakery’s baked cheesecake and corelli’s waffles

we were at cooper’s arm hotel bistro last night. atmosphere & service was great and ingredients fresh, but food lacking flavour. couldn’t taste the “7 spices” on the soft shell crab nor the cajun on the chicken

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