Eating Out - Dance Floor Dining

Reporters: Todd McKenney & Sonia Kruger

il Vicolo Restaurant

If you’re on the hunt for classic Italian fare in a classic Italian setting, pick the restaurant that’s been going strong for 30 years.

That’s right, il Vicolo Restaurant in Top Ryde has been serving happy customers for an astounding 30 years. But don’t just leave it to the regulars, come along and get a taste of little Italy.

Entrées like the lightly fried and stuffed zucchini flowers filled with prawns, mushrooms, asparagus, and parmesan are delightful; so are the squid tubes that are filled with smoked salmon, prawns, cuttlefish, and raisins, then covered with Napolitana sauce and served on a bed of red cabbage.

For main course, dive into the seafood platter for two. This is a beautifully fresh selection of local seafood including whole lobster mornay, king prawns, scampi, mussels, fresh fish, cuttlefish, prawn cutlets, and oysters served with fresh fruit. If you don’t want to share, the spaghetti arrabiata tossed with prawns, chilli, garlic, baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, and olives is also a hit; as are the beef cheeks cooked with caramelised figs and red wine served on a bed of mashed potato.

Cap the night off with a traditional tiramisu with coffee liquor and mascarpone.

With a stylish and sophisticated restaurant that serves up traditional Italian fare, it’s no wonder that il Vicolo has stood the test of time.

Prices correct as at 29/08/09

Mantra Indian Restaurant

Spice up your life and get on the dance floor at Mantra Indian Restaurant.

Mantra is a funky Indian restaurant that’s bursting with bling, and if you come on a Friday or Saturday night, get ready to join the party. Bollywood dancers take to the floor on weekends, and don’t be surprised when you’re whisked from your table onto centre stage, that’s all part of the fun!

Before you get that belly dancing, get it full of traditional Indian tucker. Start off with the kebab platter or the aloo tikki chat - potato patties topped with a chickpea curry and finished with tamarind chutney and mint sauce.

For mains, heat things up with the five spice garlic prawns in a garlic cashew sauce; dig into the delicious goat curry on the bone; or order the raan-e-mantra, a slow-cooked leg of lamb with a spicy curry sauce that’s the chef’s secret recipe. Vegos don’t miss out either, the vegetable jalfrezzi of green veges stir-fried in a tomatoey sauce is sensational.

Top off a fantastic night with sweets. The gulab jamun, which is fried cheese dumplings in sugar syrup served with pistachio kulfi, is an absolute pleasure to devour.

Shake, rattle, and roll into Mantra Indian Restaurant where Bollywood and fantastic Indian cuisine are on the menu.

Prices correct as at 29/08/09