Amici, Cammeray

I've thought soo many times about going to Amici in Cammeray but was always lured by the mussels and frittersaus just a few doors up down the road. I read their quite glowing review in the smh guide and thought it's finally time. Normally Italian I just cook at home rather than go out for it. I do remember having some of their pizza a long time ago and thinking how good it was but never actually been there to sit down...

I'm really glad I did though because Amici was a serious goldmine...just really simple, not complicated and overwhelming menu and amazing top notch quality. The service was lovely too, professional and welcoming and felt truly genuine which is more than you can say about alot of places! Inside it is quite small and I imagine it would get crazy packed on weekend nights though.

We didn't feel super hungry which was good for both the bill and waistlines so shared a few dishes. To begin we had the revered octopus with sicilian olives, chilli and garlic. It was absolute perfection. They really know what they are doing the the ocotopus and there wasn't an ounce of bite to it..it was so tender it virtually melted away. I love the steaming hot, braised style of octopus. Dale was hoping for a tiny it of crispyness but really there's not a whole lot of talent in bbq octopus..even I can do that! the braised is where it's at. I loved the fact the chilli was whole too so you could opt in or out. If I HAD to find a fault the sicilian olives, as they always do, didn't pack much punch in the flavour department and the whole dish could have maybe done with a bit of acid (how top chef does that sound) but was really so amazing it would be a serious crime not to order it!


We also got some evoo (goddamn you rachael ray) and woodfired bread which was nicely grassy and a quite a large serve of oil. None of that tiny little dipping bowl stuff. It kind of looks small in the pic though...but it's not!


The rest of the menu sounded like it had some winners too...other tables were getting what looked like meltingly perfect mushroom risotto's, seafood linguine's complete with foil duck (or goose? the artistic representation is tricky sometimes). Really nice simple italian fare that hit the spot. There was a little too much truffle oil rearing it's fug, gross head on the menu though...

For the main we knew what we were there for and didn't stray. Pizza! almost every table was also doing pizza which is served on those cool silver stand thingys...bonus points for accoutrements. The pizza was seriously good. Super crispy woodfired thin bases with just the right amount of toppings so not overdo it. Our choice was the Filetto (sounds like meat non?) which was the eternal combo of proscuitto, roasted cherry tomatos, rocket, parmesan and moz. It was pure perfection and we fought over the last piece which is saying something cause I normally relent (awwwwww).


The pizza menu is interesting actually because there are your normal pizza's then your pizza's without mozarella which is so bizarre to me because the moz was actually very sparing on ours and light (in a good way)...i'm assuming they are popular if there's a whole section on the menu so I might give them a shot next time!

Finally we debated the idea of dessert with none of them screaming out my name (affogato, pannacotta, brulee and tiramisu). Dale ended up caving and going with the tiramisu which even I as a hater can admit was amazing. Super big serve, perfect balance of flavours and nothing too strong and just a nice slice of decadence.


As a sidenote if you ever go out with dale and I and we say timasu it isn't because we are foodtarded (even though I did previously admit I said nick-oise until late in my teenage years) but rather because of a eddie game show we were watching once-maybe that ONE MOREEEE one- where the cute little postal worker bush country contestant guy was answering some question and said my answer is timasuuuuu. He was awesome and now it is timasu forever.

The best part of the meal is yet to come though...we were full to the brim and it was seriously sooo well priced. $60 for all that food! such a bargain.


So if you have heard good things about Amici it is everything you heard and more..it is soo good to have a nice little Italian place close by rather than the stockstandard Crows Nest ones of Gino's, Pino's , Ezzelinos (does anyone else find that rhyming sequence weird?). We will def be hitting up Amici all the time...especially when the cold weather hits. Glass of vino and a nice, creamy , steaming risotto anyone?

Apologies the photo's are a little dark...the place filled up super quickly and it's so closeknit didn't want to freak anyone out with random flashes.