Jamie’s Italian
107 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000
Mon – Thursday 11:30am–10:00pm, Fri 11:30am–11:00pm, Sat 12noon–11:00pm, Sun 12noon–9:00pm
02 8240 9000
Website

The 10 year old baby of Jamie Oliver and his Italian mentor, chef Gennaro Contaldo, is still a Pasta haven around the world.

And Sydney, you can forget Jamie’s 15 minute meals, because you’ve got $15 prosecco and pasta filled Wednesdays.

So we thought we’d take on the ultimate pasta challenge and try all $15 bowls of hand made perfection to give you the insight on what you should order.

To start you really can’t go past ordering The Slab ($39.00). Think of all your antipasto dreams combined on a wooden plank, propped up by cans of whole tomatoes -the kind of resourcefulness only Nonna would think of. You’re already getting a complete steal for Jamie’s famous pasta and a glass of bubbly that you realise you can afford to indulge. And trust us, you won’t be disappointed.

The Slab: Jamie’s Italian

There isn’t anything on the board that hasn’t been well thought out and perfectly seasoned or marinated.
But of course, we have our highlights: Pecorino with chilli jam, the fresh mozzarella balls, the Proscuitto (one of the best we’ve had), focaccia (you can’t say no to bread) and the the olive tapenade, because olives taste even better as a spread.

The main event of course, are the pasta dishes on offer, and you’ve got a stunning collection of 5 to ‘um and ah’ about.

GENNARO’S TAGLIATELLE BOLOGNESE – normally $26.00
Amazing pork & beef slow cooked in red wine, topped with pangrattato & Parmesan

CARBONARA – normally $27.00
Rigatoni pasta with golden smoky pancetta, cracked black pepper & Parmesan

FAMOUS PRAWN LINGUINE – normally $33.00
Garlic prawns with tomatoes, fennel, saffron, fresh chilli & rocket

SPICY SAUSAGE PAPPARDELLE – normally $28.00
Free-range pork & fennel ragù, with Quattro Stelle ‘nduja, greens, chilli & pecorino

SPAGHETTI ALLA NORMA – normally $24.00
A classic Sicilian pasta dish of eggplant, chilli & basil in a rich tomato sauce with hard ricotta

Each dish bright in colour and full to the brim with freshly made pasta swimming in Jamie’s silky sauces.

If we had to pick one must have dish, it has to be the the Carbonara.
Thick rigatoni pasta tossed through a light, yet creamy Carbonara sauce, generously sprinkled with cracked black pepper & Parmesan. Undeniably, the golden smoky pancetta takes the dish to another level. Crispy flakes are layered throughout the dish – a surprise in each bite.

But if a carb and cream fuelled dish doesn’t tickle your fancy then Gennaro’s Tagliatelle Bolognese or their famous Prawn Linguine is your go to.

So cure your hump day blues with a hearty Italian dish washed down with Prosecco and you’ll feel as great as you do on a Friday night!

Image via Alex Burgess