It was cold this Wintry Monday evening. The rain poured down, thunder struck the sky with mild grumbles and my stomach echoed with a loud protesting growl. I was waiting for Mr NQN to come home so that we could make our way to some comforting Italian fare at Buzo Trattoria in the upmarket suburb of Woollahra with David Tsirekas (chef and owner of Perama restaurant) and his lovely wife Belinda (mum to adorable girls Mia and Ruby). I walk in first while Mr NQN finds a park (don’t you just love husbands that drop you off in the front when you’re wearing impossible to walk in heels?). David tells me “Don’t worry I’ve already tweeted ‘Can someone get an electrician to @buzo_trattoria. There is a problem with the lighting’!” and starts laughing.
David has already established joking relationship with Traci from Buzo., Only a few weeks earlier he had called to book with her using a false voice complete with dodgy indiscernible accent saying that he had read about Buzo on “Not Quite Nutella”. And we learn that joking back and forth is the order of the evening. Housed in an elegant charcoal grey two storey terrace it’s busy for a Monday night.
Warm Sicilian Green Olives, Fennel & Lemon $8
These are a fantastic start. The warm olives (and I do love it when olives are served warm) are heady not so much in the fennel and lemon but rosemary which gives it added warmth.
Pillas dio Anna Baked Semolina Gnocchi $20
“We’ll just share all of the dishes” Belinda says and it’s music to my ears. The baked semolina gnocchi are gloriously softer than soft, almost falling apart on the spoon and they’re paired with a rich gorgonzola cream, strong parmigiano cheese and crunchy walnuts.
Savoy cabbage, pine nuts, raisins, pecorino and pangrattato insalata $20
Now you wouldn’t expect a cabbage salad to be the star dish of a restaurant and when Belinda told us that the cabbage salad was supposed to be good I was eager to try it but still slightly sceptical. After all how good can raw cabbage be? I shouldn’t have doubted it and the thinly sliced cabbage salad with crunchy pine nuts, sweet raisins and a buttery breadcrumb and pecorino topping is just divine. It’s dressed with a salad cream which is like a mayonnaise mixed with cream. It’s hard to describe how simple yet perfect this is.
Coppa, salami, goat’s cheese and parmigiano Gnocco Fritto $20
These were little parcels of deep fried pastry stuffed with goat’s cheese and and were crispy with a cloud of grated parmigiano and thinly sliced coppa on top.
Seared Queensland Scallops, chick peas, chilli, parsley and lemon $20
The seared Queensland scallops are plump and juicy and nicely seared on the outside although you know I managed to knock a few chickpeas onto the ground with my clumsiness.
Duck Tortellino
The Tortellino (larger than tortellini) are filled with a soft duck ragu which is perfect when combined with the silky pasta and it comes topped with fried sage leaves.
“I’m never coming here again!” David shouts joking and Traci walks back towards the kitchen pumping her fist in the air laughing.
Vincisgrassi $27
The dish that Belinda was waiting for was the porcini lasagne as she adores truffles. It is a porcini, mushrooms, prosciutto, truffle and parmigiano lasagne and it’s an exercise in richness and indulgence. All I really have to say is look at it-you can see how amazingly rich and good this would be just from the picture. It was ideal that we were sharing this as it is so headily gorgeous that one may struggle with a serve of this by itself (I particularly enjoyed it with the crispy potatoes).
Fried Potatoes $8
Papardelle, pork sausage, chorizo, tomato ragu, parmigiano $27
I do love papardelle, one of my favourite types of pasta and its paired with a luscious tomato ragu with pork sausage and chorizo. Sometimes papardelle doesn’t quite catch enough sauce but this is saucily perfect.
Sicilian style roasted leg of suffolk lamb, pangrattato $31
The pink centered Sicilian style roasted leg of lamb is mouth wateringly tender and is served with a pangrattato (crispy breadcrumbs) which gives it a light crunch.
Rosticciana (sticky beef short ribs, vin cotto, agro dolce and lemon $32
The sticky beef short ribs are slow cooked and are presented with the meat on top of the two bones. It’s soft but perhaps could do with a creamy mash underneath it to give soak up the lovely juices.
Pomegranate, raspberry and prosecco granita, fresh lime $10
We weren’t going to decide on desserts until we saw how full we were. However it wasn’t a hard decision to try a dessert each. This was Mr NQN’s pick (see he does get to pick a dish on occasion 
). It’s fresh and cleansing with a tartness from the pomegranate and fresh lime and the perfect dessert to cleanse the palate to take us into the sweeter stuff.
Baked Meyer lemon, treacle and mascarpone cheesecake, poached pear $16.50
This was my favourite dessert and one that I couldn’t help but go back for more and more. I’m a sucker for red wine poached pears especially when combined with something creamy and this cheesecake is lightly lemony and sweetened with treacle and looks like a small round of cheese.
Walnut, chestnut, chocolate and caramel tart with double cream $16
I tried some of this chestnut studded tart with double cream and it’s also rich but I’m afraid the cheesecake has won my heart and I go back to that.
Warm baked chocolate, almonds and vanilla gelato $16.50
I’m not a huge chocolate desert eater especially after a big meal so I only taste some of this. it is good but after all at the end of a meal stomach space is precious and I go back to the cheesecake.
Bowl of mandarins $8
An item that I thought was quite fascinating was the bowl of fresh mandarins. It reminded me of Chinese restaurants where you get fruit at the end of the meal.
We finish off the meal with some lovely cocoa dusted ganache chocolates which melt in the mouth and not before David gets a copy of the salad recipe for himself promising to label it a Greek Cabbage Salad. Cheeky bugger!
So tell me Dear Reader, do you like going out on cold, wet nights or do you stay at home?
Buzo Trattoria
3 Jersey Road, Woollahra, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9328 1600
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62 Comments | Add your own
I love how delicious all the dishes look! Especially that deep rich chocolate tart! Wow!
All those dishes look fabulous (except the bowl of mandarins – how odd and 8 bucks, holy schmoly!) but I must say the duck tortellini looks the best in my books.
BuBbles
x.
That cheesecake looks delicious! I am going to try and replicate that in my kitchen!
OOoooh, now I’m hungry
… again. If its cold and wet, I really have to be coaxed out, and god forbid if I do go out and don’t love my food. I can get very cranky indeed. But if its great food, it improves my mood. I hate winter. Its a difficult time of year for me.
*kisses* HH
I haven’t had Italian or Cheesecake in forever. Totally craving it now.
That looks like a wonderfully wintery meal!
And I DO love when I get a plate of orange or watermelon at Chinese restaurants
This food looks like perfection for a winter’s night.
Those olives look devine!
I love woolahra…the boyfriend and I like to dream about living there one day!
Grrrr as soon as I get enough cash, I am hitting this restaurant!
Wow all the food looks delicious and comforting for a cold, windy night.
I prefer to stay in in my pjs- with home cooked meal or some take away.
The food looks amazing. I love going anywhere with a fire on a cold, winter night.
All of this looks delightful – this is my kind of place. Although to answer your question, on cold, wet, windy nights, I like to race home to bed and coccoon for the vening, safe in the knowledge that I am out of the weather.
oh my! What wonderful food! Those scallops………..wow!!!!
Wow! This all looks so wonderful, warming and indulgent. Yum.
Here in FL we never go out on cold wet nights. Frequently lightning accompanies the rain and we do not take chances with it.
That all looks so delicious I wish I was there now. When I am in Italy I sometimes gather porcini mushrooms in the hills around us. I love porcini!
I love Buzo, had some wonderful meals there and Traci and her staff, and Todd and James in the kitchen make everyone feel warm and welcomed.
Oh Lorraine, once again I am salivating. This is one post where every single dish appealed to me (including the mandarins.) And a husband who will facilitate high heels by dropping you off at the door? Priceless!
lol. ‘not quite nutella’
It all looks so delicious on a cold night. Kudos to Mr. NQN dropping you off in your high heels!
I love it how generous the shavings of pecorino are! Looks good enough to sleep on
I’ll be trying out that cabbage salad at home for sure.
I’m going to Buzo this Friday and really really looking forward to it! I hope it doesn’t rain because i hate going out when it’s raining- it does bad things to my hair!
How amazing is Buzo!? Definitely one of my favourite restaurants of all time
Stay at home for sure! Think: warm cosy room, lying under a doona in front of a great movie, snuggling up to some comfort food. Yeahhh.
That salad looks perfection – I love the wispy cheese grated over the dishes.
I agree with you on the chocolate dessert – give me a lighter fruit-based dessert any day of the week!
Those pasta dishes and the potatoes look mighty good. The only thing I’m not sure about is $8 for a bowl of peeled mandarins.
I want that cabbage salad! So much cheese! Looks like a wonderful restaurant
Ohh I want mangiare there a piece of Italy, definitively marvelous!
Look those papardelles or the baked chocolate vanilla gelato, magnificent
Cheers,
Gera
I went to Buzo for dinner a few weeks ago with 12 friends..we had the table downstairs and it was the perfect spot to while away the night (dinner went from 7 – 11.30pm)..drinking Italian red wine and eating scallops, cabbage salad, the truffle lasagne amongst other things made me feel worlds away. Can’t wait to take my mum when she comes to town!
This is the perfect comforting meal for a winter day (I’d take it on a summer day too though — it looks fantastic!). The gnocchi is mouthwatering with the gorgonzola cream and walnuts!
Oh my gosh, it all looks so delicious! I’d love to try it all and then decide which dish I like best:)
When It’s cold and wet I like to get cozy at home.
Oh myyyy this place looks amazing! All my favourite things! I definitely need to visit
Oh my gosh – I’ve onyl had gnocchi a handful of times in my entire life, but that gnocchi dish looks sublime!
Sadly I don’t have the husband to drop me at the door of restaurants, but my Dad is pretty good at doing that
But ohhhhhh…. granita, cheesecake, and chestnut… why is your blog so painful, Lorraine? Why?
I love to go out toeat, but if it’s yuckky weather the meal had better be worth it! I think for $8 those mandarins could have been tidied up a bit better, or with a drop in price I would rather have them presented whole with a pretty knife for peeling and a finger towel.
The pasta looks wicked good. But my gawd, that cabbage salad is nothing like I’ve ever seen before. It puts pedestrian coleslaw to shame.
Great review -I’ve been wanting to try Buzo for ages – you’ve definitely sealed it for me now. Thanks!
Heidi
I’m bailed up in bed at the moment but am dreaming of the duck tortellino! Home deliveries I’m sure are NOT offered lol.
Oh my god. I don’t even know where to start! Lorraine, I want to die here! As in, if I had to have my last meal, it’ll be at THIS place! Oh dear, that Pillas dio Anna Baked Semolina Gnocchi!! Be still my heart!
The food looks amazing. I love warming Italian food in the depths of winter. The duck tortellini and the lasagne look particularly good!
This was a lovely review – has definitely given me cravings to go back to Buzo (it’s been a while, and I can’t tear myself away from Alio!)… am a huge fan of the vincisgrassi, but the cheesecake looks incredible. And Not Quite Nutella has brought a much needed smile to hump-day (still, better than being Not Quite Nuts!)
yum! i work around the corner from woollahra and all i want to do quickly book a table after work.
The duck tortellino has my mouth watering – im one of those people who’s heart skips a beat when they read “duck”on a menu.
definitely perfect food for these cold nights!
YUM!!! I could definitely see myself going to Buzo…if I could get to Woolahra, that is!! Pretty much everything looks delicious (yep, even the scallops – and I dislike seafood with a passion! LOL)
I would go out on a cold, wet evening…if I didn’t have to walk too far in the rain!
oh man, this is my kind of food. it all looks to-die-for.
Dear Lorraine,
Stumbled upon ur cool page.
Tis review is too good…loved all de pics..specially te tortellino…is it for real??
And de fried potatoes..yummm
Cold nites to me means a warm soup n a quick supper whilst cuddling inside a quilt watching movie…n if any plans for a good food out…wat de heck!!!then who cares whether it is rainy, winter or summer..
Good food, good friends – the weather is irrelevant. Just being surrounded by decadent tastiness and wonderful company is enough for me – regardless of cold and wet or warm and bright. Besides, what better way to get an understanding of your neighborhood eateries if not with people you like exploring with? And how else can one find foods that match any mood, ambiance or season? Live life and love it – it’s not going to come looking for you.
That dish of tortellino would certainly be welcome in our part of the world right now. The cold, stormy weather calls for such richness!
I dined here a while ago and still dream of the porcini lasagne! A Fabulous experience, I must go again when I’m next down there. Cheers, Elaine
)
That cheesecake does look very good – I can see why you kept going back for more!
I woman that knows what she wants! I love that you just kept heading back in the direction of the cheesecake.
That granita looks just thing.
So …. how do we make the cabbage salad? You can’t go pilfering recipes and NOT share with us!!
Fantastic restaurant, brilliant & friendly staff wonderful food.
Talk about raw cabbage being great in salads, check out this mango slaw recipe I just tried. We are in the middle of a heat wave here in Italy, so it is something you want to eat to cool off…as opposed to your winter. But boy is it good!
That looks like a sensational meal! I adore gnoccho fritti (haven’t had them since I was in Italy) and that cabbage salad looks and sounds pretty spesh!
sorry, forgot to link the recipe!
http://nutsaboutfooditaly.blogspot.com/2010/07/smitten-kitchens-mango-slaw-with.html
So how does one become a friend of NQN? I promise lilting conversation and to share in all the dishes?
You’re fantastic as always.
hi lorraine I thought that for Bastille Day you would have posted something French !! Italy is not so bad so I am with you !! Cheers from the Champs Elysées Pierre
I could have eaten ALL the desserts … just beautiful
$8 for a bowl of orange segments? i’d find it hard to pay for that!
meanwhile, i also love papardelle, and that dish looks EXCELLENT. hooray for food sharers/
This place looks fantastic. Adding it to the list. When you ordered the mandarins did you realise it was going to be…just mandarins?
Please give us the salad recipe!
That meal looks perfect for a cold, wet night! Although what’s most appealing to me at the moment is the granita. Yum!
Hi Lorraine,
If the reward for going out on a cold, wet night was equivalent to yours, there would be no question about it. The weather would definitely pale into insignificance amidst all this glorious food. What a fabulous dinner – you do know how to make me drool!!
Kind regards, Lynette
I absolutely hate going out on a cold wet night… but this must have been totally worth it! Looks sooo good, I feel full already! (Helps to eat before food blog hopping too).
Horrible service. The waiter insulted my date, gave us 2 sets of dirty glasses, first even had a dead fly in it. Then to top it off they over salted our food and we spent the rest of the evening throwing up. Never going back, and, Traci, I want my $120 back thanks. Been waiting over 2 years now for you to make good on your promise to refund it.
Buzo is on my list to visit and after such a fantastic review I can’t wait! I was planning to take my boyfriend there for his birthday this Sunday but unfortunately they are not open on Sundays… But I am sure we will go there very soon! Have no idea how I missed this restaurant?!!
Thank you for the review and beautiful photos.
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[...] raisins, savoury from the pecorino and creamy from the dressing. This was of course the salad from Buzo Trattoria that we had enjoyed a few months ago and it was one that we asked Buzo’s Traci for the recipe [...]
[...] * Buzo Trattoria, Woollahra [...]
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