North Bondi Italian Food

Posted by: labrad | 10 August 2010, 12.10pm

My boyfriend and i love food and getting out and about in Sydney. We had heard a lot of good reviews about North Bondi Italian and though we would give it a go! The night couldn't have been better. We walked straight in, got seated and were treated so well though out the night. I asked for a suggestion on an italian imported wine. The waitress suggested 'Tenuta sant' Antonio' 2008 and it was very nice. After taking a while to decide as the menu across the board sounded great we settled on the crab spaghetti and the muscles! Both delicious YUMMMM! The guy and girl who served us were cool, laid back yet very efficient and on the ball. The biggest highlight was the chocolate gelato desert... Words can not express how great it was. Do yourself a favor and save room for that piece of desert heaven! I loved it so much we are going back this month for my birthday dinner. Cant wait to have my family and friends in such a fabulous environment sharing delicious food and wine together.

Food:			Visit: Sat 31 July 2010 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: balmaingirl2 | 3 September 2009, 2.57pm

Got there at 12pm and despite asking straight away for a table, were seated at 2.10pm despite other (prettier and cooler) people arriving later than us getting a table first. Food was overpriced, long time between orders, and if that was veal than I'm really a size 0 (like the rest of the vacuous crowd). Think I'll stick to going out in Balmain. Not impressed, by the restaurant or the crowd.

Food:			Visit: Sun 30 August 2009 Mealtime: lunch
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Posted by: Kate180 | 6 February 2009, 9.59pm

Don't be fooled by the crowds of beautiful people spilling out of this North Bondi institution. You will wait for up to 90mins for a table on a busy afternoon and in my opinion, you might just be better off having a pub meal at the RSL above. Views aside, the main courses are less than ordinary, tasteless and obscenely overpriced. The pasta tasted like dried supermarket quality, and the veal was bland.
NBIF. No-Bloody-Idea-Food.

Food:			Visit: Sun 11 January 2009 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: gudfoodluva | 17 June 2008, 11.10am

I've been here a few times and would love to like it but just can't. Obviously the position is fantastic, the furniture funky and the staff friendly and knowledgeable but the the food lets me down every time. I can't remember one thing I ate that i would go back for. It's a shame.
For a nice cocktail in the afternoon by the beach it's perfect but I wouldn't recommend the food.

Food:			Visit: Tue 17 June 2008
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Posted by: JJ Kotch | 16 October 2007, 11.37am

I've been on the hunt for a new place to call my second home for awhile now and I think I've found it.

We arrived just after midday - we needed to secure a big table and on arrival we were greeted with smiles from all directions - table locked in - why not relax at the bar while we prep it for you? So far so good. While waiting for the table to be ready we chatted to the bar staff and were given some great tips on wine for the day (Cecchi Chianti was for me). From the start this place had all the right ingrediants - good staff - drinks & decor to give the true Italian feeling.

To our table which had the perfect view of all other tables in the room and close enough to the kitchen to see, hear & smell the magic happening and a nice view out to the rolling Bondi surf.

The food came out quick but at no point were we rushed to finish a course and there was plenty to each serving to cater for the amount of people we had. The menu was not as difficult as I would have expected and plenty of key Italian dishes and all rated high in our books. The standouts from our table would have been the spaghetti arrabiata with crab (shredded) and cooked in a paper bag; saltimbocca veal was divine; the arancini, Italian meats to pick at; and the cheeses made you feel at home and started us off perfectly.

We left four hours after arriving and at no point were we rushed - it was an excellent afternoon. Congrats to Robert and his team and we look forward to returning soon.

Food:			Visit: Tue 16 October 2007 Mealtime: lunch
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Posted by: cd | 15 July 2007, 8.20pm

I had great a night dining here. Food was good and service was quite satisfactory.

Food:			Visit: Sun 15 July 2007
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Posted by: Appetite Phil | 26 February 2007, 6.49pm

I ate at NBIF for the first time on Sunday night.
We arrived early (about 6:30) to be told there would be a 45 minute wait. As we weren't in a hurry and were able to get a seat near the bar the wait was fine and we enjoyed the buzz. We shared for entree the calamari and the white fish carpaccio both of which were excellent. I ordered the daily special which was described as wagyu beef served with Italian potatoes. My wife ordered crumbed veal cutlet. My dish comprised 3 slices of overcooked pieces of tasteless meat which I was later told was cut from a whole roast and "yes, it seems a bit overcooked tonight, doesn't it" - no apologies.My wife's crumbed veal which I tasted was bland and disappointing. Nice place, but beware the carni.

Food:			Visit: Sun 25 February 2007 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: Rachel73 | 6 August 2006, 5.09pm

On a cold Saturday night 10 of us ventured out to North Bondi expecting a long wait and expensive Italian. What a pleasant surprise to find that after a short wait and a delicious vodka with fresh grapefruit, we were seated at a great table with a fabulous view of Bondi beach.

Our waitress helped us select some delicious antipasti for starters and gave us a generous amount of time between our mouth-watering carpaccio and fried octopus and our main course. The steak is to die for and the pasta with ricotta and tomato exceptional, only pipped for 1st place by the crab pasta cooked in a paper bag. To top off the evening our waitress even warned us at 9.50pm that there would be tow trucks arriving soon to remove any suspicious, "drag-racing" looking vehicles from the car park out the front (our Commodores with baby seats were duly relocated up the hill to safer ground) until we finished our dessert (you MUST try the chocolate gelato courtesy of Nonna).
In a word....bellissimo!

Food:			Visit: Sun 6 August 2006 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: Raaaabert | 14 July 2006, 2.03pm

We were genuinely excited about going to NBIF on Fri night as we were hoping to have a nice dining experience. This place was very busy which is always a good start. Unfortunately it only gets worse. The food is overpriced for what you get, I mean $17 for a salad that is nothing more than lettuce, cheese and tomato and a $29 veal with no side is also steep. So combined, $47 for veal with salad is not cheap in anyone's books but it was average. I could cook better with a blindfold. That said NBIF - correction NBOM, has a nice atmosphere, but way way way way overpriced.

The food is comparable to eating at certain other Italian restaurants that wont be named because they dont have a name (derrr get the hint) but at 3 times the price. You have to ask yourself - how much are you prepared to pay for the view/atomosphere when the food is this ordinary!

Food:			Visit: Fri 14 July 2006 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: Unregistered user | 29 March 2006, 5.48pm

Could one possible ask for a more enjoyable relaxed lunch? I don't think it's possible. A beautiful view, complemented by great food and a fantastic wine list. Food is very affordable and a great atmosphere. Two thumbs up!! Would highly recommend!!!

Food:			Visit: Wed 29 March 2006 Mealtime: lunch
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Posted by: Unregistered user | 6 February 2006, 6.25pm

Atmosphere was fabulous... especially with the sands of Bondi beach only a few steps away. The food at our table was interesting and generally delicious, except that the calamari was greasy. Service was OK - knowledgeable and friendly, but a bit too slow. It was a very busy Friday night, though.

Food:			Visit: Mon 30 January 2006 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: Unregistered user | 6 February 2006, 6.17pm

Excellent food and service. The atmosphere was buzzing, which is great for a group, but not entirely suitable for a chat at the table (too noisy). It was a really hot night and we felt that at the back of the restaurant, while closer to the beach the cool breeze was sensational. The place operated like a well-oiled machine while people queued to get in. A smooth operation with excellent fare and atmosphere.

Food:			Visit: Sun 22 January 2006 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: Unregistered user | 18 January 2006, 5.30pm

I don't think they planned on being so packed, but they were and they handled it well, even the owner was taking orders, clearing tables and sweeping the floor! The food was delicious, the atmosphere was sophistication meets Bondi cool. The lamb skewers were tender, and juicy. The calamari was cooked to perfection and the salads were perfect. Can't wait to go back.

Food:			Visit: Tue 17 January 2006 Mealtime: dinner
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