Don’t worry Dear Reader, you haven’t missed Valentine Day nor have I managed to do some time travel in between meals (although wouldn’t that be fabulous). Nor is this a story from about a year ago from Valentines Day 2010. Mr NQN and I were invited to sample Aperitivo’s Valentines Day menu ahead of the hallowed day of romance this year. At $60 a head it is a Valentines Day menu that won’t have you reaching for your eyes (gouging etc) and they have a six course menu on offer.

Involtini: Mullet involtini filled with asparagus & tomato concassé with vermouth reduction served with 08 Cavalier Pepe Falanghina Campania $10/150ml glass extra

There were two types of the mullet given, one with the skin on and one without the skin on. They’re both good although I preferred the skin off version (which is a change as I usually like skin on fish) but I felt that the skinless version was more delicate and “less fishy” if that makes sense and matched better with the asparagus and tomato concasse. There is a touch of bitterness at the very end from the vermouth reduction. Glasses of wine here come in 75ml, 150ml glasses or 375ml carafes and Mr NQN has asked for a wine by the glass to match it. He falls in love with their recommendation, a 08 Cavalier Pepe Falanghina Campania which is said to be a less floral version of a sauvignon blanc. In fact he asks where it can be purchased he likes it so much.

Apple & honeydew gazpacho

The gazpacho is interesting tasting more of apple than honeydew although I’m not that taken by this cold soup as it reminds me of apple sauce. It is served with spicy croutons which give it a more savoury flavour but they do end up a little wet from where they sit in the soup and I ate my shortly after it was set down while Mr NQN took photos of this.

Pepper tagliatelle served with sardines & cherry tomatoes finished with prosecco

The pepper tagliatelle is wonderfully silky and very well cooked and it is flavoured with sardines, breadcrumbs and small pieces of cooked cherry tomato. It has a strong flavour from the sardines but I do like the little crunch from the breadcrumbs and the lovely pasta texture. Because the sardines aren’t immediately apparent, it makes the strength and saltiness of the topping a bit of a surprise.

Salsicce Pizza (extra course) $22

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Date Night was a concept I always thought that we’d never need. Mr NQN and I are such a team and we virtually live in each other’s pockets that the idea of having a particular night just to ourselves seems unnecessary. Until a furiously busy amount of travelling this past couple of months (Canada, Los Angeles, Hamilton Island, Canberra and South Australia in the space of a few weeks) meant that we just wanted a weekend at home with each other.

We had  a show to see (more on that later ) and we wanted a place that would serve us quickly but not a fast food meal. A pre theatre would be ideal and so we honed in on where else but the Sydney Opera House. The Studio Cafe there was said to be a hidden gem with good food and an absolutely killer view.

We walk along the western promenade and up the stairs. The Studio Cafe occupies a prime position. I recall hearing from my friend The Second Wife that the North facing area of the Opera House is one of the most expensive places to hold a function and this is just west of that. There are flame column heaters burning and each table has a chair with a colourful cushion on it.

They ask us what time our show is as they guarantee to have you on your way within 40 minutes. You can also eat your entree and main and then opt to have your dessert after the show if you wish. We choose one selection from the pre theatre menu which is 1 course plus wine, tea or coffee for $25 or 2 courses with wine tea or coffee for $35.  I want to try the seafood linguine  while Mr NQN selects the orecchiette with smoked ham hock and peas from the pre theatre menu. When I ask about the antipasto plate the waiter dismisses the idea saying that it is tiny. Wow, that is certainly honest!

Tomato bruschetta $9.50

We start with some tomato bruschetta. True to form the food comes out within about 10 minutes or so. The bruschetta is crunchy and topped with finely diced tomato and red onion.

Seafood Linguine $25.50

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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

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