There’s always that strange feeling when I walk into an unfamiliar restaurant for the first time, and don’t know exactly what to do. I’ve experienced it in bistros, when there’s a sign which tells you to wait there, but not a waiter in sight. Or in cafes, when you’re not sure whether you’re supposed to order at the table or at the counter.
We’re at Alimento Cafe (after much indecision as to where to eat), and although there are plenty of nice empty tables outside, we’re standing awkwardly at the entrance. Do we just sit down and hope that someone notices us? Do we go up to the staff at the counter? Or do we wait until a waitress notices us and takes us to a seat?
We finally capture the attention of the girl at the counter, who (after establishing that we are not voucher holders) tells us to just sit down anywhere and she’ll get someone to bring us the menus.
I order the lemon pepper perch fillet, a delicious piece of fish, grilled until tender and crisp at the edges and covered with a layer of lemon sauce. The sauce is surprisingly pleasant and tasty, with the light taste of lemon not being too overpowering and also serves as a nice dressing for the salad. The chips are definitely the highlight of the dish for me, with their shattering crunch and ability to stay crunchy even when soaked in the lemon sauce. My only complaint is that there isn’t enough of them!!
My friend’s order of chicken and prawn risotto, was quite popular amongst their lunch customers- and hard to miss with the strange lettuce leave on the side. The tomato based risotto is delicious and creamy- I certainly wouldn’t mind ordering it next time! 🙂





22 Comments
First!:D
That fillet looks AMAZING – reminds me of Doyle's fish&chips at Watson's Bay *drools* x3 And that risotto looks kinda yummy but I thought it was baked beans L0L0L0L xD
I guess I should let someone who's more pro at this talk now x))))
October 27, 2011 at 1:07 PMGah! I hate it when people are unattentive.
But those drinks and foods – so drool-worthy 🙂
BTW, thanks for visiting my blog!
October 27, 2011 at 2:57 PMSometimes, I feel the same when I go into a new restaurant!
October 27, 2011 at 4:14 PMI call it: "Do not dominate the space". Jajaja.
Chocolatey or not, that seems a very nice mocha:)
i'm so impressed by baristas who can make designs in their foam. nice find!
October 27, 2011 at 11:41 PMOh Von another wonderful food trip to Australia. Love looking at the pictures and drool but would be even better if I can actually be there. And girl we all have that awkward moments in restaurants, cafes.
October 28, 2011 at 7:07 PMthats some fine coffee art!! so pretty…too bad no chocolatey enough! those dishes look so good and such great value too! i thought that perch dish would cost a lot more than that!
October 29, 2011 at 1:57 AMhmm thought i left a comment last night but can't seem to find it anymore…so will repost 🙂
I've been here for the lunch special too – had the risotto, whilst John had the chicken. Both very nicely done but John also lamented the lack of chips!
October 29, 2011 at 7:19 AMok it took me a while to figure out how to follow you – but I think I've succeeded 🙂 I'm getting too old for technology haha
October 29, 2011 at 2:02 PMI am slurping over the risotto!
October 29, 2011 at 2:55 PMI do hate going somewhere I haven't been before and wondering what the hell to do – but that lemon pepper perch looks delicious!
October 30, 2011 at 1:06 PMLol @ the random lettuce leaf. Sounds yum though!
October 31, 2011 at 1:25 AMoh this is perfect – i've been meaning to try out italian in parramatta and the $10 lunch specials are so enticing! especially that risotto…
October 31, 2011 at 1:35 AMThe fish fillet and the risotto are cooked in the ways I like : ).
October 31, 2011 at 3:52 PMWow, they all look great…would love to have my fork on the fish dish…
October 31, 2011 at 10:01 PMHope you have a wonderful week Von 🙂
The chips with lemon butter sounds wonderful, I can't get enough of crunchy chips too.
October 31, 2011 at 10:14 PMI'm wondering what that lettuce leaf is meant to do for the risotto as well!
November 1, 2011 at 4:24 AMI'm about to go to bed but the mocha and all the delicious food kept me widely awake… =) That's a big fillet! Really juicy and I love they added french fries. =) I'm going to bed with my hungry tummy now… hehe.
November 4, 2011 at 9:01 AMi've spotted this place and wondered what it was like. definitely looks as though you could get a decent lunch.
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February 29, 2012 at 9:19 AM