After visiting Italy back in 2018, I was blown away by the stark difference between authentic Italian pasta vs what we get in restaurants or commercially from supermarkets. I am no pasta connoisseur but I will try to avoid pasta related dishes for fear of disappointment.
Now Lupino was one of those restaurants on my radar prior to visiting the pasta motherland and admittedly, I am guilty of procrastinating a visit despite the many possible opportunities. Seeing as I would be in the CBD area on my day off, I decided to pick up the phone and book a table for the sister and myself.
Bread and butter - a staple in most restaurants although I was surprised that butter was served as opposed to olive oil. Just an observation.
Cauliflower fritto, aioli and white anchovy - the sister was keen on ordering this despite not knowing that was a fritto. Gamble well paid off as I found myself repeatedly dipping pieces of golden, crunchy fritto in the creamy aioli. Not entirely sure about the addition of thin slivers of white anchovies came with the dish but I gather it may be to reduce the overly oily sensation on one's palate?
Baked polpette in sugo - Sugo had a strong aroma of pureed tomatoes and was almost paste like in texture which worked well for coating each piece of meatball.
Cavatelli, Italian sausage, zucchini and saffron - I loved the aroma oozing from this dish and until this day, cannot find a better way to describe it. Floral like with a tinge of savoury and aromatic from what went into the making of the sausage mince. Pasta was delicious although can't say it reminded me of Italy. Close tho!
Ricotta gnocchi, pomodoro and buffalo mozzarella - I am a big fan gnocchi dishes although I tend to lean towards more potatoes in the gnocchi as opposed to a blend. Dish was tasty and portion wise, perfect. Would have liked this dish to come with meat tho but nevertheless, I knew what I was getting myself into:)
Tiramisu - not overly sweet nor alcoholic/ over caffeinated. Loved every bite of this and even the sister who hardly sticks her fork into desserts was coming back for seconds.
