It’s been years since I last visited Alio, the restaurant by brother and sister team Ashley and Tracey Hughes in Surry Hills. Mr NQN wasn’t really on the dining scene then (we were dating but he refused to go to nice restaurants and would sit at home with a newspaper and a bowl of cheap pasta) . So it’s with a sense of nostalgia that I look around the restaurant and chat to fellow diners at the opening night of Alio’s 10 years 10 course dinner. The 10 course degustation is $80 ($110 with matching wine) and features their “Greatest Hits” or dishes. I am sitting next to Michael from Masterchef magazine, Kate Gibbs (granddaughter of Margaret Fulton and daughter of Suzanne Gibbs and cookbook author) and John Newton from the Foodies Guide to Sydney.
2000 Alio hand made focaccia and grissini with 36 month old Reggiano Parmesan and warm
marinated olives
We start off with a little nibble plate with marinated green and black olives, a gorgeously crumbly aged reggiano cheese that I just cannot get enough of and a bread highlight. My theory with bread is that it can take up precious stomach space so if it’s not fabulous I’ll give it up. This foccacia is fantastic-soft and light but with that melt in mouth quality from a brushing of oil on top. They explain that from the very beginning of the restaurant, they have made their own bread and grissini.
2001 Stracciatella – Roman chicken broth with cheese ravioli
The stracciatella, a clear chicken broth arrives with a ball of minced chicken on the bottom and a cheese ravioli on top. The broth is sustaining and warming and the “dumpling” of minced chicken and ravioli give it body and soul. Since Alio first started serving amuse bouches in 2000, they’ve calculated that 20,000 litres of complimentary soup have been served.
2002 Bresaola air dried beef fillet with truffled baby green peaches and parmesan
This dish had us all intrigued. Kate and I were discussing how the words “truffled baby green peaches” don’t often appear in a sentence together so we were interested in the execution of it. They tell us that truffled baby green peaches started coming into Australia in 2009 and have featured on their menu as an accompaniment to antipasti ever since. The bresaola is very thinly sliced and still soft and delicately delicious. The truffled baby green peaches come out thinly sliced, looking like sliced, stuffed green olives. They are aromatic with truffle but taste slightly tart and sweet, like I suppose green fruit would. It’s a lovely combination.
2004 Char grilled eggplant baked with buffalo mozzarella and dressed with 25 year old
balsamic vinegar
We were enveloped with the aroma of balsamic vinegar in this when the staff placed it on the table. It’s not bad but perhaps too subtle and in need of a bit of seasoning.
2003 Hawkesbury river calamari with fresh chilli and lemon
This dish just didn’t work for me. There was a bitterness to the dish and I didn’t like the texture of the calamari which was a little tough with a slight sliminess.
2005 Red wine, pancetta and radicchio risotto
We had discussed going into the kitchen and asked them which item would be the most photogenic to photograph them making. Everyone at the table chuckles when they see this risotto which in all honesty looks unappealing. Looks are deceiving though and the aroma of reggiano and pancetta however lures me in. It’s rich, just the right texture for the rice and moreish. They tell us that the risottos are made to order and they really do take 20 minutes.
Kitchen action: Chef Ashley Hughes on the left
We take a quick visit into the kitchen. Ashley tells us that they can either do this in a paper bag, in which case they would probably serve it in a paper bag at the table but here due to the numbers, they do it in foil. The kitchen is quite a surprise. It’s enormous and everyone is perfectly calm. There’s no hot tempers or even hot temperatures perhaps owing to the large space and organisation.
2006 Barramundi baked in a bag with black mussels, thyme and vermouth on cavalo nero
The barramundi arrives at the table and it’s very prettily plated. It’s very moist and succulent owing to the steaming with foil and sits on a bed of perfectly cooked cavalo nero (Tuscan kale). It’s delicately flavoured with thyme and a slightly viscous broth rich with garlic and the juices from the mussels and fish steaming. They tell us “This is possibly the dish for which we have most frequently been asked the recipe”.
2009 Lightly beaten char grilled fillet of black Angus beef with fresh baby peas and potato al forno
Sourced from a Port Macquarie farm this grass feed beef is our last savoury dish. We saw the beef fillets resting earlier and here they slice the eye fillet in half and place it on top of a layered potato al forno (potatoes sliced and cooked with onions and garlic and balsamic vinegar). This is served with herbed smashed baby peas. The beef is perfectly cooked and it’s rich and I can’t help but eat every bite despite the fact that I am getting very, very full.
Tracey Hughes makes a heartfelt speech about the passing of her father just eight weeks ago and they take questions from the crowd. The first question is how do the siblings work together. They have a simple answer for this. Ashley says “She stays in that area (indicating restaurant floor) and I stay in this area (indicating restaurant kitchen)“. Tracey says simply “He works with knives”. Another question that they’re asked is “What does Alio mean?”. It’s actually not a real word although it sounds Italian. “It is Alio. It’s us. Alio is us“. Tracey counters. And what about a cookbook? Tracey says “Aren’t there enough out there? Just join our mailing list, we send out our recipes all the time”.
2007 Blood orange sorbet
We’re getting into the sweets here and to cleanse our palate we try a blood orange sorbet. It’s smooth as butter and appears creamy but that’s just from the egg whites and the churning to get it that smooth texture. It’s refreshingly blissful and just the ticket before our main dessert.
2008 Panna cotta with fruit salad and mint
“Have we all done the panna cotta test?” Dave from Wasa Media asks and we do the obligatory wobble and yes it does wobble like the bosom of a voluptuous woman. The panna cotta is gorgeously creamy and light with a passionfruit jelly on top and paired with a minted fruit salad. A great ending to a very pleasing meal. Happy 10th Birthday Alio!
And I know looking at all of that food has just made you very, very hungry and eager to try it so thanks to Alio restaurant we are giving away a 10 course degustation dinner for two at Alio! This dinner for two is valid until the 31st of December, 2010 and can be taken on any Monday to Thursday night except for Christmas or New Years Eve. You will need to be able to make your own way there and back (sorry darlings, my private jet is out of service 
).
To be in the running to win this fabulous dinner for two, all you have to do is tell me your favourite dish from the above dinner and why. Simply add your answer as a comment to the story. The competition ends at Midnight AEST 18th July, 2010. You can enter this once daily. This competition is open to people in Australia.
***The lucky winner is: Jen S.! Congratulations!***
Best of luck!
Love,
Lorraine
xxx
NQN dined as a guest of Alio restaurant.
Alio
5 Baptist Street, Surry Hills, NSW
Phone 02 8394 9368.
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222 Comments | Add your own
i find the dessert a little bit lazy compared to the rest of the meal which is quite high standard but it may be only me!!! Pierre in Paris
Oh! Everything looks fantastic…and the grand finale “panna cotta” is one of my favorite dessert
Oh do I need a night out like this soooooo very bad. What a great amount of flavors you got to try, looks wonderful and FUN!! xo
I know this is probably an odd choice, but I can almost taste that pancetta and radicchio risotto! That would be my choice!
Thanks for the great review, Lorraine, sounds like a fabulous evening!
Hi Lorraine, I have always loved bresaola; although only when its done properly and not come out tasting like soggy paper. But here, its the truffled baby green peaches that has got my juices going! I am beyond intrigued! You are indeed fortunate. Gobsmack’d
Definitely the eggplant dish, I have an obsession with eggplant and must eat it at least once a week! I normally have it in curries, at yum cha (my favourite dish!!) but this would be a different experience and I would love to win!
The amuse bouche and dessert!
Definitely the beef. It looks amazing, although a hard pick between that and the bressola
The risotto sounds fab (though I must admit the photo did not look appealing, I think looks can be deceiving). Risotto with pancetta in this chilly weather sounds just like my kind of comfort food!
The barramundi. The fish looks so flakily delish and looks like it would have a lovely taste from being baked with all the good things.
Wow – how can I narrow it down to just one!
I will have to say the pannacotta – because I find that it is the perfect way to end a meal. Creamy and oh so sweet
So predictable but that fillet of black angus is just calling my name.
Definitely the risotto! As unappealing as it looks ( I thought a squid had inked itself ) it’s nonetheless such an interesting combination of flavours – pancetta? Mmmm
All the non-seafood dishes are my favourite, yes even that funny looking risotti, because they all appeal to the fussy nature of my brother’s diet.
This might finally be a place my family can go together without having to be embarrassed by my brother asking for “this…without that…and without that”.
The Roman chicken broth with cheese ravioli….an amazingly delicious start to what will be a wonderful gastronomical experience.
Great to read your review; Alio is one of my favourite Italian restaurants. The stracchiatella has got to be up there for possible “last meal” contention. Probably a shoo-in if followed by the lemon tart from their regular menu…
Abstolutely the Bresaola! what a magical combination of flavours with truffled peaches!! I want some now.. all my favourite ingredients in one dish.. love love..
The Bresaolo air dried beef with truffled baby green peaches and parmesan intrigues me. Everything sounds lovely, but I have never even heard of truffled baby green peaches before. Would love a birthday dinner there.
$80 for a 10 course degustation menu is really quite a good deal. Quite a few dishes caught my eye but yes, I am curious about the Truffled Baby Green Peaches too…
The black angus beef with peas and potato! It reminds me of the famous “tiger” pie from Harry’s in Woolloomooloo – perfect comfort food as the cool weather sets in…
i am intrigued by the risotto, never had a risotto with pancetta, it sounds like a great combination!
I think my two favourite dishes would have to be the chicken broth with the cheese ravioli and the calamari. I am so obsessed with calamari but it’s very difficult to find it properly cooked! Looks delicious.
Even though I will not be coming to Australia, I would like to say that the Roman chicken broth with cheese ravioli looks wonderful to me. I am not familiar with other parts of the meal, but most look really good. It is interesting to see what is served at the restaurants there and the amount of food they give to you. We are simple here, I guess, with soup or salad, entree, and dessert if you have room for it as the entree usually fills your stomach.
I think it would have to be the bresaola. I like my dishes to be intriguing. It captures your imagination with the ecletic sounding mix of ingredients.
Having just made 150 mini lavender scented pannacottas for the Bemboka Banquet (http://bembokabanquet.org.au where everything was grown within only a 15km radius)beg. of Feb – along with 4 other desserts; I chose the dessert because a bosomy wobble is what its all about!And it looked really dainty on the plate.Great looking dinner all around.
My favourite would be the Barramundi baked in a bag with black mussels. I’ve actually had this dish and was attracted to the concept of being baked in a bag. It was so sinmple, light and aromatic and i totally felt the comfort of home.
Although the risotto looks rather like something my mother would serve (read OMG WHAT WERE YOU THINKING WOMAN?!) just reading the ingredients I know that I would want to lick the plate afterwards.
But I wouldn’t, cause I am a lay-dee…
Definitely the Bresaola with truffled green peaches dish – how can I live not knowing what that tastes like?
Ooh, the fillet of black Angus beef with baby peas and potato would have to be the one! Yummy
hey lorraine,
i think the
char grilled fillet of black Angus beef sounds and looks gorgeous! mm the potato looks awesome too! mmm
and who can pass dessert? id skip
to dessert if there wasnt such goregous mains!
What a lovely spread and I’ve been meaning to try Alio for such a long time but haven’t quite got there yet. If I win on the other hand….:-)
We make Stracciatella but ours is a different version, it’s seasoned beaten eggs with a squeeze of lemon juice, lots of parmesan and finely chopped continental parsley cooked in a simmering home-made chicken consomme and swirled to give a scrambled egg effect. Heaven on a plate and the best dish to serve on a wintry cold night ! I would love to try Alio’s version though as it’s a nice twist with the ravioli. The look of the risotto dish is off-putting and I would suggest a few baby leaves of radicchio sitting atop to steer the mind away from….lol The rest of the menu looks very good indeed but I have to agree with Pierre in Paris that there are so many delectable Italian sweets to choose from (even though I heart panna cotta very much), a surprise sweet dish would have been a better finale to the meal.
I love the sound of the flavours in the bresaula air dried beef fillet with the truffled baby green peaches. Sounds like an intriguing combination that is full of flavour.
Also loving the iPhone friendly look of your blog page!
Ok – my favourite would be the char grilled fillet of black Angus beef with fresh baby peas and potato al forno. I live with a vegetarian and cook that way at home mostly……. this leads to dreams of dishes like this one. Plus I love balsamic and have never tried potato al forno. PLUS – your description made this dish sound like an utter winner!
I know you said it didn’t work for you, but I’d actually like to try the river calamary with fresh chilli and lemon. Just because I grew up loving seafood and chilli (!!!) and lemon are just sublime with seafood in general. In short, I’m a guy who loves my chilli and give me anything with chilli, I’m in.
Looks like a great night out. The panna cotta looks like a sublime way to end the meal. If only I was in Sydney!
For me it’s the Bresaola with green peaches. I eat with my eyes first and this is very well presented – beautiful colours. I also love salty type dishes and trying anything unusual such as the truffled green peaches. The dish is balanced really well with an addition of wilted greens, just the right amount of sauces(?) and cheese. I’d definitely choose this off the menu.
Not eligible for your contest
but wanted to say,ooh, don’t think I could eat that risotto, LOL.
But the dessert looks amazing.
So hard to decide! In a pinch I’ll say the eggplant- just because I am such a fan of that vegetable when it is beautifully cook. But I want to eat it all
Lightly beaten char grilled fillet of black Angus beef with fresh baby peas and potato al forno is my favourite. In a odd way it pays homage to Harry’ s Cafe De Wheels at Woollommoolloo
The home of beef pie and peas.
This particular dish is First Class as opposed to Harry’s product being Economy
The pannacotta with fruit salad and mint looks the most appealing to me, although I would have loved to have sampled a bigger portion lol:)
I can’t win, but wish all the best to those who entered … this looks like a delicious menu (am particularly a fan of barra)
Oooohhh… the beef for me! And potato al forno sounds gorgeous
The Bresaola air dried beef fillet would be my favourite as it is such a fine dish, add to that the parmesan cheese with truffled baby green peaches and it sounds like something too irresistible to pass.
The pancetta and radicchio risotto – because it looks terrible but sounds wonderful.
Rested black Angus char grilled…OMG, stop me from licking the photo. The colour combination with the baby peas and so delicately placed upon garlic, onion and potato, be still my stomach. Surely this was the best of a great degustation menu and absolutely my fave pick.
I love a degustation meal & this one looks so scrummy, very reasonably priced too. And not too laborious, like you could easily get through it all without having to skimp! Not something I like to do! I especially like the look of the Hawkesbury calamari – fresh & local and really simple contrasting flavours to go with it. Love to be a locavore where possible.
That barramundi looks gorgeous. It makes me want to venture out to the Sydney fish market and pick up the ingredients!
Panna cotta – fab dessert always makes me walking out of a restaurant smiling!
The “potato al forno” looks and sounds (in the best Nacho Libre voice) fanTTASStic.. and I don’t even know what it is.
the panna cotta dish – i just love desserts and i’ve never actually tried a panna cotta before.
Ooh – everything looks amazing! But my pick would be the eggplant & buffalo mozzarella – I think the combined flavours and textures of soft squishy eggplant, creamy mozzarella and tart balsamic would be great to try!
2001 Stracciatella – Roman chicken broth with cheese ravioli.
This would have to be one of the best placed items due to the flavour intensity and texture in starting a degus menu.
I love the rich and full boied flavour that in such a small quantity, it is meant to savor.
MMM… I am hungry even thinking about it!!!
Hi Lorraine,
I would have to say the risotto is what i would most like to try, as unattractive as it is. Haha
I once had a risotto that scarred me. Seriously. When i see risotto on any menu, my tastebuds die a little.
It was my first- and my last time.
After your description however, I would be willing to give it another try. (I might have to close my eyes though!)
I consider myself a huge lover of food, and it makes me uncomfortable knowing there’s a dish out there (that a lot of people seem to like), that i’m too afraid to try.
I hope i get a chance to change my mind and my tastebuds’ memories.
Thank you =)
Oh, and i should have given you the full name shouldn’t i?
The: 2005 Red wine, pancetta and radicchio risotto
Thanks
My fave would absolutely have to be that beef – can’t go past a good steak. yum yum!
I’d love to try to beef – nicely cooked beef and anything potatoes is exactly the kind of comfort food I crave when the weather cools up!
I would have to say the dish that stands out to me would have to be Stracciatella. It shows that fine dining doesn’t have to be fancy, as long as you capture the flavors and the essence of a dish. The simplicity of it evokes a fond memory of a cold winter night and a warming soup to nourish the soul.
The dish with the truffled baby green peaches of course!
The food looks inviting, funnily enough I’m most impressed with the chicken broth with cheese ravioli!
The most impressive part I admit, was your company! Sounds like a fabulous night! xx
To me, nothing says ‘northern Italy’ quite like carpaccio, so the Bresaola air dried beef stands out. Lovely flavours, lovely presentation – yes, please!
My favorite dish would have to be the ‘Char grilled eggplant baked with buffalo mozzarella and dressed with 25 year old balsamic vinegar’…i love grilled veggies and love love buffalo mozzarella..and would love love love to taste the dish dressed with 25 year old balsamic vinegar!!!
The restaurant sounds lovely. I need to spend more time in Surrey Hills!
I have lived literally around the corner from Alio for over 3 years and I can’t believe I still haven’t been!!
The dessert looks amazing, but it’s the lightly beaten char grilled fillet with fresh baby peas and potato al forno that is really tickling my fancy.
My favourite is the risotto, just shows that looks aren’t everything! Flavour rules…
baby green peaches?! How interesting! And gosh, I would love to taste that 2002 Bresaola air dried beef fillet…I wonder if it’s like a high-class beef jerky…
The beef sounds fantastic
Nothing like a rustic dish served to you in a contemporary and classy way.
’2009 Lightly beaten char grilled fillet of black Angus beef with fresh baby peas and potato al forno’……it almost looks like a pie with mash n peas….but i think it wud b just totally n perfectly different….
I would lurve to try the eggplant course, I am obsessed with all things eggplant so I’m sure I would love it no matter what esp with the buffalo mozarella and balsamic !!! Yum!
“…truffled baby green peaches…”! I love discovering new ways of eating familiar foods!
Oh Lorraine, this has me crying for Italy and remembering all of the fabulous meals we had there. I certainly can’t come out there for a meal but I’d have to say I was struck by that Ravioli in Brodo as it so says Italy to me. It must be the most perfect of comfort foods. And I’d love to try that panna cotta which is a favorite of both mine and husbands. And the way you describe it it sounds perfect!
I so wish I were planning a trip to Australia in the near future, lol! This looks fantastic, Lorraine!
I have been a lurker for quite some time but the lure of a possible 10 course degustation did me in.
My favourite course (or one I would like to try) is the baked barramundi.
most def the eggplant dish …. love eggplant at the best of times … and think that the aged balsamic would be just a yummy sticky sauce … just yum … that is all i can say … but all the dishes look yum to me .
Panna Cotta! I know it may not be the most exotic choice but the creamy panna cotta with passionfruit and then the minted fruit salad would be so happy in my mouth
My mouth started watering when I saw the Lightly beaten char grilled fillet of black Angus beef with fresh baby peas and potato al forno. Looks absolutely delicious. Love beef and love potato. Presentation is spectacular. Now off to dry my mouth
Esay – the eggplant with mozarella. I love all things eggplant and I imagine that cooked with the balsamic this would be beautifully sweet and stewy.
Pannacotta with fruit salad and mint. Looks like a delightful, light, refreshing way to end a a fine, long dinner.
I can’t tell you my favorite dish until I try Lorraine ;P … although I’m sure the Bresaola air dried beef fillet would melt in my mouth. Celui-ci m’a l’air particulièrement delicieux!
The Char Grilled Black Angus would be my pick but would also love to try the truffled baby peaches – they sound very interesting
Definitely the ‘Char grilled eggplant baked with buffalo mozzarella and dressed with 25 year old balsamic vinegar.’ I love Italian food and a good balsamic is one of my favourite flavours. Along with mozzarella and my favourite winter vegetable this would be delightful!
My favourite is definitely the 2004 Char grilled eggplant baked with buffalo mozzarella and dressed with 25 year old
balsamic vinegar. So simple but sounds devine! I can’t ever pass up a good eggplant dish.
The stracciatella. Such simplicity and elegance with a touch of homeliness from the ravioli. I can only imagine the flavours… delicate yet surprising.
I would have to say the risotto! Maybe I’m a little different (mum says I’m special…) but brown coloured food really draws me in! It’s almost like I can smell the earthy scent of mushrooms from my computer. Also, the presentation reminds me of a simple yet utterly delicious home cooked meal and nothing beats a hearty home cooked meal for me!
The beef fillet! The photo conveys the juiciness and tenderness so well … makes me want to attempt making something similar for dinner (no spare Angus beef lying around though)…
Deinitely the Panna cotta with fruit salad and mint, I LOVE the description of the voluptuous bussoms, my sister recently made a panna cotta that set like concrete! I’d love to take her to dinner to experience this kind of panna cotta!
The dish I liked the best from your review was definitely the bresaola. The initial description intrigued me, but your elaboration on its tastes and flavour combination made me oh so keen to try it! Your words did exactly what a great restaurant review should do – inform, tantalize and make the reader feel like she was there, but not quite close enough to actually trying the dish [so to make the reader want to go!] I’m now so determined to try truffled green peaches…so thankyou for the lovely review!
I would have to say the Pannacotta is my favourite. I had this when i visited them and it’s one of the tastiest desserts ive had on a degustation and im usually one for the savouries
Thanks for another great review! I have so many of your recommendations on my ‘must try’ list now
It all sounds delicious, but my mouth is watering thinking about the Red wine, pancetta and radicchio risotto. I would love to try that!
All looks amazing, the char grilled angus beef looks amazing! Would loooove to enjoy the degustation menu here as I’ve been meaning to try Alio for years…
My favourite dish would have to be the Stracciatella. There’s something about food that touches our hearts and stays in our minds years later. The simplicity evokes a fond memory of my grandmother making me chicken broth with dumplings when i was sick, and I’ll always associate the warmth and comfort of that dish with the love of my grandmother.
2008 Panna cotta with fruit salad and mint
Definately the pannacotta!! They are my favourite desserts and the sound of serving it with fruit salad and mint just sounds so refreshing!!! Would definately love to try that!
The fillet of black Angus beef with fresh baby peas and potato al forno is the dish of my choice. No meat beats a good piece of beef and I’ve always loved my beef with a combination peas and potato,in fact i’ve tried cooking a few different versions like this myself. Also like the presentation, simple and neat!
The 2008 Panna cotta looks absolutely gorgeous and would have to be the most appealing dish for me. The risotto being a close second
My favourite dish from your stunning dinner at ALio has to be the Stracciatella. Being of Italian decent, my Nonna (grandmother) used to make a version of this dish (but of course much larger!)only on very special occasions. Iterestingly, when you compare it to more common and popular Italian fare it seems underwhelming. However, the amount of work that goes into making the ravioli, which in the original version are much smaller, is incredible. Then, when eating it, the broth creates a delicate and soothing addition, to what would be a rather intense pasta dish. This dish really is a representation of the reghion it is derived from, intricate and impressive whilst being completely understated.
I find myself fascinated by the “lightly beaten” beef? Was it naughty??
Kerry loves: 2001 Stracciatella – Roman chicken broth with cheese ravioli
James loves
2006 Barramundi baked in a bag with black mussels, thyme and vermouth on cavalo nero..
I lived in NT for 4 yrs,, and never caught a fresh Barra.. sob-sob
I love the sound of the baked eggplant with mozzarella. So rich and warm, the perfect winter entree…
Lorraine, I would have to say the Barramundi as it’s one of the dishes from Alio I have never tried. My husband and I have been huge fans of Alio since moving into the area 5 years ago, and we went so far as to have our wedding there last year. It was fantastic, the food and staff are amazing our guests had a great time, they got to choose their own meals and many of them are still raving about the beautiful slow cooked lamb. It is one of the best value restaurants around!
The panna cotta won me over – the fact that it passes the wobbly bosom test and the great flavour combinations with some fresh fruit and mint so it’s not too heavy at the end of an impressive meal!
2008 Panna cotta with fruit salad and mint.
I love the tang of passionfruit combined with the creaminess of panna cotta. Hope I can book my ticket to Sydney very soon !!!
Stracciatella – Roman chicken broth with cheese ravioli is my vote!
Sounds (and looks) beautiful – so simple and yet, I am certain, packed with flavour. Perfect ingredients to ‘amuse the mouth’!!
As a recent convert to panna cotta I choose this as my favoutite. So much better than the junket we were served as children.
Thank you for telling us about the degustation it will go on my must do list.
Hi Lorraine, I love your blogs thanks to you I have discovered so many good restaurants, cafes and recipes (cooked the Ricotta & chive homemade gnocchi last night for a dinner party what a hit that was). My favourite dish was the Lightly beaten char grilled fillet of black Angus beef with fresh baby peas and potato al forno. I love Beef and that for me had everything I love in one dish… Would love to eat at Alio… Looking forward to the next post, you always give me “food for thought”.
Smiles Roz Kaye
For me, the risotto is the winner. Some of the best Italian meals I’ve eaten have been served to me that same way – your heart sinks because of the presentation but your tastebuds soar because of the flavour. Who said good food was about presentation anyway?
I love eggplant, so I’d like to try their char grilled egggplant.
My favourite dish would have to be the Char grilled eggplant baked with buffalo mozzarella and dressed with 25 y.o. balsamic vinegar. Even though i do eat meat i thoroughly enjoy vegetarian dishes. the eggplant together with the cheese and balsamic just makes my mouth water. The flavours and ingredients have been geniunely thought about to deliver a unique and (what appears to be) tasty dish.
Out of all the dishes, I’d have to say my favourite is the 2008 Panna cotta with fruit salad and mint!
Simply from looking at the photos, that one looked the most appetising
Its funny how your mouth starts salivating when you see a fabulous photo of meat, well mine does every single time. Yes the Angus steak would be my pick. Thank you, looking forward to it.
All of those sound delicious and I would love to win the comp to try them.
But I know one thing for sure: the grissini is amazing there. I ate at Alio a few years ago. And as I waited for my friend to arrive, I kept eating one grissini after another and eventually when she arrived, there was only 1 left.
2004 Char grilled eggplant baked with buffalo mozzarella. I love my meat but i love eggplants more..they can be disguised as meat lol
The char grilled fillet of black Angus beef would be my favourite dish. I’m not a fan of peas, so for Alio to succeed in enticing my tastebuds for a forkfull of that beef gets a huge thumbs up in my book. The photo looks amazing – hard to resist and would love to try it myself!
Stracciatella will be my favourite as I like clear soup with deep flavour and I always finish my soup first rather than ramen or noodle. I tend to leave unfinished noodle or ramen and had to ask the waitress to reduce it to half but keep the soup full in the bowl
I do love cheese ravioli since I ate my first fresh cheese ravioli in Bathurst.
If this stracciatella clear soup is accompanied with a cheese ravioli then it is a 100% winner for me.
Hi
I would pick the char grilled fillet of black Angus beef with fresh baby peas and potato al forno. I am just recently become a meat eater and this looks yummy
Cheers
ST
“2009 Lightly beaten char grilled fillet of black Angus beef with fresh baby peas and potato al forno”
That sounds so perfect! I love how simple it looks and how perfectly cooked the beef is! yummo my choice!
My fave dish would have to be the 2002 Bresaola air dried beef fillet with truffled baby green peaches and parmesan. The delicacy of the beef with the tartness of the peaches and the richness of the parmesan would just melt together in a combo of absolute yumminess!
I would have to say the risotto… even though the photo makes it look like something that has been regurgitated with a bit of cheese on top.. i love risotto and your description makes it sound delish!
Yep, definitely the beef! I rarely cook meat at home so I love to eat it when I go out. That said, it all looks very tasty!
The barramundi baked in a paper bag. My husband tells me stories of the “best ever” fresh barramundi that he ate in Darwin, and I’d like to see if this stacks up!
lightly beaten fillet of grilled black angus beef because i just love meat of any description
Yum! The Bresaola sounds scrumptious! I cannot wait to try the truffled baby green peaches! I would LOOOOOVE to win!
Promise to report back
This meal sounds like my idea of heaven, such a challenge to narrow the choice down to one favourite course. After much lip smacking however, it has to be the bresaola. While I will happily approach many receipes at home, (with varying degrees of success, and recognition!),in restaurants I’m always drawn to things that I wouldn’t be able to even begin. This sounds like a fascinating mix of flavours as well as looking beautiful on the plate. How have I missed this restaurant in my 3 years eating around Sydney? Must get to Alio, must get to Alio, must get to Alio…
Just one favourite? Oh gee…um…maybe the panna cotta. I haven’t had a good one in a while (the last time I ate ‘panna cotta’, it didn’t wobble, and it was almost hard! Not good for a panna cotta, that’s for sure!)
Many of my fondest childhood memories are food related….which is why the Straciatella would have to be my favourite dish. I remember my parents cooking up huge pots of soup to last us through the cold winter nights, I remember my grandma serving me a rich broth of chicken soup when I was ill, I remember staring for hours as my family willed away and made their own dumplings from scratch. Such a simple dish and yet just by looking at it reminded me in an instant the powerful memories great food can evoke.
The Hawkesbury River Calamari with Fresh Chilli is appealing as it contains locally sourced fresh produce .The complimentary tastes of the hot chilli and sour lemon would add a little pizazz to the milder taste of the calamari as well as add eye appeal to the dish for the diner.
My favourite dish is the panna cotta, because passionfruit is my favourite fruit. Also, the accompanying fruit salad would make me feel less guilty about eating a dessert!
My favourite is the Barramundi. Many restaurants merely grill their fish of the day and the love and care with which Alio prepares this dish preserves the succulence and taste of white fishes.
The risotto will be my favourite here mainly because I think it will be the dish that can gives the biggest surprise. The rest I think should taste just like what they looks like.
yum.
i have my eye on that pannacotta.
i’m a sucker for sweet stuff.
The risotto – looks like it could be a surprise!
Hmmm….looks like a good dinner…thanks for the review!!
I must say the risotto is the winner. Risotto is such a comfort food on a cold winter day.
my fave food would probably be the panna cotta – i just can’t resist the texture of panna cotta, so smooth, cream, yet light, and this one looks like a winner!
hey NQN
My vote goes to the risotto course – there’s nothing like risotto done PROPERLY. I love knowing that they cook it fresh as it is ordered. Love the combination of italian flavours -gutsy red wine, slightly bitter/spicy radicchio and salty parmesan.
Now I’m hungry!
i would have to go with the risotto.
because although so much of the food i cook is totally delicious and yum… it often doesn’t look the greatest… so i have a sympathy with the risotto…
ugly but yum!
hmmm, I really want to try the degustation at Alio
So, I am voting for the risotto..again
The beef. So fresh!
My vote goes to the Panna Cotta. Cuz i have an addiction to sweets that borders on lethal. And because (as my mind runs wild imagining the joy of winning such an extravagant feast), your description of the required “wobble” conjures up images of my contented belly, resplendent in all its glory, as i collapse, sprawled out on the couch, for my obligatory post gorging nap!
i would probably have to say the panna cotta…who could pass on a dessert and just thinking of watching it wobble always makes me smile.
I love soup because it send me into a loop
I love ravioli especially if its followed by cannoli
I love cheese just as much as I love smarties
I love chicken as it only serves to heighten
My love of Straciatella!
haha sorry for my lame attempt at rhyming
OMG drool drool… I have to try the Stracciatella,It looks divine. Although it all looks great & I am sure it tastes even better than it looks.
one of the best meals I have ever had was at Alio- we went for our anniversary dinner-we always recommend it to others- The Calamari is my pick for favourite dish listed- truly gorgeous presentation and I am sure it was very very fresh- our fish we had there certainly was–thanks!
look, the degustation for $29! http://www.scoopon.com.au/deals/251/only-29-for-a-10-course-italian-degustation-menu-at-alio-restaurant-normally-80
My fav dish that I’m looking forward to trying would definitely have to be the pannacotta. I loved jelly as a kid and pannacotta is an infinitely better version of jelly!
Favorite dish is barramundi by far. I also agree that its the best plated dish, it looks very appetising. I know some people thinks tastes are all that matters, but we also eat with our eyes. Other dishes such as risotto could use a bit more thought to the presentation.
It’s definitely the Bresaola dish! You’ve got me at “truffled green baby peaches”. This is my first time hearing that and I’m really intrigued to give it a try.
The Bresaola looks amazing, I would love to try that, I’m planning a weekend in Sydney for my 40th birthday in September and this place looks perfect for a dinner for two! I then could recommend it to all my friends in Sydney!
You know what? I’ve been searching high and low for that one unforgettable taste.Perhaps it’ll be here, that my Cluedo-esk mystery ends, with this bresaola with truffled baby green peaches at Alio’s…
The eggplant. Definitely.
Hmmm… just was there last night… last time would have been a week from the opening… beautiful food all round, though I must also add that I have never had such enjoyment from the Degustation Matching Wines… all Italian, white, red and bubbles… normally I stay with trusted friend… take a risk and do the wines… they are as yummy as the meal, the service and atmosphere!
Blood orange sorbet and the Panna cotta with fruit salad and mint
omgosh my sweet tooth =)
I must tell you the truth,
That I have a sweet tooth.
So I really can’t reject,
A fine Euro dessert.
From the impressive dishes,
You’ve displayed above.
My favourite choice would be … ‘The Panna cotta with Fruit Salad & Mint.’
As it looks devine,
And very tempting.
And as they saying goes,
‘Save the best for last.’
So I always leave enough room,
To indulge in a dessert,
To end my dining experience,
On a sweet note
At first glance, it was a tough choice for me.
But I have to say, that the ‘Blood Orange Sorbet’ would be ideal.
A ‘refreshing’ Italian dessert to help digest the other meals
2001 Stracciatella – Roman chicken broth with cheese ravioli. Because I love seeing familiar foods served in unfamiliar ways.
The eggplant course looked absoluetley divine!
Ohh I would love to try that risotto! It may look like the ugliest dish but the flavours all sound wonderfully described. Would love to try the red wine, pancetta and radicchio combination, have yet to truly experience the flavour of radicchio and I am sure I wouldn’t be disappointed if I were to have the experience =).
Just thinking about the Stracciatella is making my mouth water. The warm broth, the al dente ravioli, the meaty chicken. A good soup can melt the heart.
Blood Orange. Anything with blood orange is always good, esp since it’s virtually impossible for me to find them when in season (outer west sydney). and ice cream…always good
I used to live in Crown street quite close to Alio & never got around to dining there. I have dined at the Russian Coachman though, that was an hilarious experience!
Oh, all you “doubting Thomas’s”!! I would definately choose the RED WINE, PANCETTA and RADDICCHIO RISSOTTO. “Never judge a book by its cover”. This dish is out of control deliciously yum and I think I could make a good attempt to eat everyones who doesn’t agree. I may need to order a stretcher to get home though!
I forgot to write my favourite dish
It has to be thechar grilled fillet of black Angus beef – drooling.
Ohhh definitely the risotto!! As unappealing as it looks, it sounds absolutely intriguing! I adore having a bit of an adventure to my food!
My fav would have to be the pannacotta. I am a big fan of sweets and cakes and desserts
I would definitely want to try the panna cotta! Far from being predictable, I think panna cotta is one of those dishes that look easy, but is actually difficult to truly master. If Alio’s panna cotta passed the wobble test, I’d definitely want to follow through with the taste test! The most interesting panna cotta I’ve had is blue cheese panna cotta, which strangely worked! I’d love to put this panna cotta in my mouth, though, together with the beautiful fruit salad.
I’d say among all the dishes, I would definitely want to try the char grilled fillet of black angus and potato al forno! Why? I’m a big steak&potato sorta person, it simply looks scrumptious. I can totally imagine it being juicy and tender. I also like the way that the chef served it with the potato al forno, instead of the typical mash potato. Just from the picture, I can say that the layers of the potato are clearly shown, impeccable.
The other dish that I would want to try would be the blood orange sorbet. I have tried a couple of blood orange sorbets, but they didn’t do very well on my list. This one is plated very simply and yet it drew my attention. It has this pink-peachy colour that is very inviting. I can infer from the picture that its going to be soft and creamy! It makes my mouth water soooo much!
Every dish sounds wonderful and a treat for the senses as well as the palate but my choice is the Panna Cotta. The richness of the panna cotta with the slight tartness of the passionfruit and the warmth of the mint is a perfect combination.
mmmm the 2001 Stracciatella – Roman chicken broth with cheese ravioli looks so comforting for a winters night…would love to try…
Risotto with Red wine, too often made with a light broth, the deep and rich tannins of a red wine really complement the earthyness of the medium grain rice.
Panna cotta! The way it wobbles and jiggles is very appealing.
I think I’d go for the dessert. The thought of the wobble of the creamy Panna cotta with the sweet sharpness of the Passionfruit cap I know would be irresistible. Add to this the anticipation of the accompanying fruit salad with the crunch of raspberries,the burst of blueberries and the clean freshness of mint would so appeal to my senses. A wonderful way to fulfil the Alio experience.
The Barramundi dish looks amazing. It’s fish with a twist!
Like strawberries n cream,
panacotta and mint is a dream!
The ultimate desert team,
to top this tasty Italaian theme!
would be : 2004 Char grilled eggplant baked with buffalo mozzarella and dressed with 25 year old balsamic vinegar.
The picture makes it look so scrumptious and because I love cheese, the oozing dripping cheese with the taste and aroma of the balsamic would be absolute heaven for me.
It is something I would love to try for sure at home something to whet the vego tastebuds too, healthy but so fulfilling.
Loving all your pictures of food!!
The Angus beef looks delish,
A most appealing dish,
But to definitely say which is best, I really need to come and try the rest……
The angus beef with fresh baby peas and potato al forno looks amazing, although so does the panna cotta those 2 dishes defintely stand out!
The Roman chicken broth,
makes my mouth froth!
This dish i would betroth!
Having just discovered Panna Cotta and becoming a serious addict, I will have to go with this dessert, fruit salad with mint will also be a new experience. Sounds amazing!
The hawkesbury river calamari with fresh chilli and lemon looks divine! Succulent, Tasty and Fresh. While it looks simple I can taste the vibrant tomato and supple calamari. It’s dissapointing to hear this dish didn’t work for you as it looks so good!
I’m not much of a carnivore even though I come from a long line of butchers but, the Black Angus Beef looks so handsome and the simple but well thought through accompaniments consummate the dish as a whole. Bravo and Yummo!
The dried beef fillet,
is simply as you put it –
intriguing! I’d love to try it out!
Hmm, hard to pick a favourite without trying them! WOuld love to try the bresaola as I never have, and am also fascinated by the truffled baby green peaches!
The handmade focaccia sounds divine, a rare treat id love to make mine!
I would have to say the Roman chicken broth with cheese ravioli
looks divine! Such a simple dish but would pack the flavour in and get the taste buds going for a fabulous evening
Hi Lorraine,
There is absolutely NO WAY that I could pick ONE favourite – each and every one of them is a winner! Therefore, as we can have a daily entry, I am going to nominate a dish a day . . . and today my pick is 2000 – Alio hand-made focaccia and grissini – yum yum.
Kind regards, Lynette
The panacotta looks delicious! I recently tried panacotta for the first time at the taste of Sydney festival and would love to wobble and try some more.
Id love to try every dish,
with the exception of the fish,
please NQN grant my wish!
Hi Lorraine,
My pick for today is 2001 – Stracciatella . . . yummo. (absolutely spewing that I missed the scoopon special!!)
Kind regards, Lynette
It’s got to be the Angus fillet – sometimes all you need is a hunk of good quality meat with peas and mash.
A difficult one and although that blood orange sorbet is tempting, itmust be the Stracciatella – my mouth waters at the thought of that lovely cheese ravioli and a warming broth to ward off the chilly and wet weather we are getting here in usually mild Perth. We’ll be arriving Sydney for a holiday on the 18th and will be definitely heading to Alio for dinner!
Choosing a dish is tricky, they all look awesome. I have a sweet tooth – I vote for sorbet. xo kate
Hi Lorraine,
and today my pic is 2002-Bresaola-yummmmmm.
Kind regards, Lynette
My favourite dishs from the above dinner and why is the Barramundi baked in a bag with black mussels, thyme and vermouth on cavalo nero, becasue its reminds me of my grandmothers cooking in italy and Panna cotta with fruit salad and mint so sooth and mouth watering. yum
Hi. I’m going with the 2002 Bresaola air dried Beef and truffled baby green peaches with parmesan. Thanks
The calamari as it looks light and fresh. Hopefully it is soft and tender if I am lucky enough to win !!
Food Glorious Food,
European Food is my obsession.
Baked, fried/sauteed,
There’s such a varied selection.
Where do I begin,
Alio Restaurant is the destination.
I do have a sweet tooth,
Not just for a special ocassion.
So give me a serve of your dessert,
The Panna-Cotta with fruit salad is my temptation.
Oh Food, Glorious Food,
Wonderful Food
Hi Lorraine,
For today my pick is 2003 – Hawkesbury river calamari . . it looks simple but delicious – mmmm.
Kind regards, Lynette
My fav is the panna cotta with fresh fruit salad. Those raspberries look amazingly plump and juicy and would have been a great accompaniment to the sweet lusciously smooth panna cotta
Hi Lorraine,
Today’s pick is 2004 – Chargrilled eggplant . . it’s my FAVOURITE veg & I LUV cheese – yummmmmmmy!!
Kind regards, Lynette
The panna cotta will surely seal the deal! A grand exit for a grand meal…..
This may sound weird but I’d really love to try the Roman chicken broth with cheese ravioli. 1st, I’m a big fan of soup and 2nd, the presentation is just too cute to resist! It’ll also be a perfect winter warmer dish…
Ok I’ve booked my flights to Sydney for my 40th birthday, and this is the place I want to spend my birthday dinner, just my husband and I then we brag about it afterwards to all my Sydney friends!
Hi Lorraine,
My pick for today is 2005 – Radicchio risotto . . . I love the bitterness of radicchio & risotto is one of my all-time favourite comfort foods – ooooops, I’m drooling!!
Kind regards, Lynette
I’d have to pick the panna cotta. But i’m a sucker for panna cotta
char grilled fillet of black Angus beef with fresh baby peas and potato al forno – The way meat and veg SHOULD be eaten.!!!
After seeing and reading about the 2002 Bresaola air dried beef fillet with truffled baby green peaches and parmesan my tummy is rumbling (loudly!)…and I still have an hour and a half to wait until lunch.
8 years to air dry the beef, baby green peaches, truffles; this is no ordinary dish, I am intrigued and would love to try it!
It’s always nice to walk out of restaurant having tried something you have never heard of and loved it.
All the dishes sound delicious and we would love to try the degustation menu.
Every dish had my mouth salivating – my pick would be the Panna cotta with minted fruit salad. (to finish off my yummy meal) The creamy, smooth delight of the panna cotta juxtaposed with the flavours of the passionfruit and minty fruits would be an explosion of heaven!
Hi Lorraine,
Today, my pick is 2006 – Baked Barramundi . . . . the flavour combinations sound delicious & divine – yum yum, lip-smacking!
Kind regards, Lynette
Panna Cotta is my alltime favourite dessert, so i’d have to say the Panna cotta with fruit salad and mint with a candle on it, would make an ideal 40th birthday dessert for my birthday next month
Its got to be the Angus beef with fresh baby peas and potato al forno. Beef being one of my all time favourite meats!
I think my favourite dish would be the pannacotta which looks absolutely amazing, followed closely by the blood orange sorbet. It all looks fantastic!
Hi Lorraine,
today’s pick is 2007 – blood orange sorbet . . . the colour of this fruit is so spectacular. I’ve never had it in a sorbet & it just looks so creamy in your photo – yummmmo!
Kind regards, Lynette
I’d love to test if the BLOOD ORANGE SORBET is as perfect as the one at Messina’s in Darlinghurst!
My pick will definitely be 2004 the eggplant: not only does it look good (the picture does that talking), sounds good (char grilled, baked with buffalo mozzarella, dressed with 25 year old balsamic vinegar), it tastes delicious too (from what you described) – now the only thing left is to try it out myself! :p
Hi Lorraine,
For today, the pick is 2008 – Panna cottta . . . it just looks so perfect & the passionfruit is the ideal accompaniment to contrast the creaminess – yummy, yummy, yummy!
Kind regards, Lynette
Hi Lorraine, first of all let me say what a great restaurant review, detailed, honest with amazing graphics. I would love to try the Bresaola air dried beef fillet with truffled baby green peaches and parmesan. Not only is the presentation of the dish mouth watering but the mixture of ingredients in the dish sounds like it would be a true degustation experience.
To couple the lingering smokiness of char grilled eggplant with the richness of buffalo mozzarella; balanced with aged balsamic vinegar, is the creation of an exceptional trio of taste and texture. Quite simply, a triumph.
My favourite is the 2000 Alio hand made focaccia and grissini with 36 month old Reggiano Parmesan and warm marinated olives because they look so yummy
Everything sounds and looks scrummy but I’m curious about the 25 year old balsamic vinegar. I’v never eaten anything older than myself!
Looks exotic and “Smell & Taste” imaginary heaven, 10 course degustation at Alio Restaurant, Surrey Hill for two romantic lovers would be a lifetime magic!
Chicken soup ravioli (Straciatella)
There is nothing more tasty
Than fresh made pasta pastry
And there is nothing more yummy
Than soup in my tummy
So Put chicken and Cheese
In your pasta, and start boilin’
To your delight you will find
That nothing rhymes with ravioli
There’s something about soup
That is inviting, filling the kitchen, wafting out of the diningg rooms
Its invisible curls of scnent reach every room and beckons to come and taste it
Welcoming any visitor with its aroma
From colds to broken hearts, it is the favorite cure around the world
And these are the reasons why I love Straciatella
my fave is the panna cotta – looks so inviting! love the creaminess mixed with the fresh berries.
Hi Lorraine,
Today’s pick, lucky last, is 2009 – Angus beef ….. feed me meat, meat, meat, succulent & scrumptious – mmmmm yummmmmm !!
Kind regards, Lynette
I’m going here tomorrow night for the degustation – I can’t wait!
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