We’ve all been in a situation in which we tell our friends we’re going to see a movie and they immediately yell in horror and try to stop you from going.
“Are you crazy?! Nooo…it’s so bad”
“Have you seen the reviews? Noooo…it’s so bad”
“Why are you wearing that shirt? You knooooow it’s so bad”
I don’t tend to listen to people and just go see the movie anyway. Funny thing is that their criticism, whether it is legitimate or fabricated, tends to lower my expectations for the movie. Imagine if someone had told you that ‘The Dark Knight’ was just an okay movie. Pieces of my brain would still be scattered across the cinema floor if someone had managed to lower my expectations for the movie I watch every Valentine’s Day (yes, Batman is my valentine. I’m pretty cool).
Right, this is a food blog. I’ve been stuck in a ‘Jamie’s 15 Minute Meal’ vortex as of late. I watch an episode of the show before I go to bed every night as if I’m trying to trick my mind into dreaming about food. During one of these sessions I thought it’d be a great idea to go visit Jamie’s Italian.
One of my favourite food pornographers said ‘noooo, don’t do it!’
Plot twist: I had already booked.
During my research I found that Jamie’s has to be one of the most divisive restaurants on the food blogosphere. Some people detest it, some people love it and some people STILL haven’t started watching Breaking Bad even though I’ve been texting them about it on a daily basis.
Jamie’s Italian is located about three minutes from Wynyard Station (thirty if you’re using Google Maps).
I went on a week night at roughly 6PM and saw a lot of people hovering around the bar area.
I honestly had no idea what to order when I got here. I had done my research but I forgot most of it (just like in high school).
I decided to opt for something that sounded cool (just like in high school).
Black angel sounds like an alias I would’ve adopted during my MSN Messenger days. I’m not black or angelic but still.
This was an interesting pasta dish to say the least. The spaghetti itself was a tad firmer than al dente but it wasn’t a problem for me. I loved the infusion of chilli alongside the capers. I just love a spicy kick with my pasta and I don’t get it very often due to my affinity for cream-based pastas. I would’ve loved a few more scallops but that is applicable to me at all times (including whenever I eat fruit salad).
The pasta was very nice and softer than my black angel variation. I loved all the ingredients used in the flavoring process and enjoyed the forkful I had. I didn’t try any of the clams but my dining buddy said she was expecting authentic Italian pasta (she’s a globetrotter) and was slightly disappointed.
Jamie’s offers small and large sized variations of all their pasta and I regret opting for the small. I wasn’t very full and our waiter had forgotten to register our appetiser.
That’s ok because it means we had room for dessert!
I hate to curse on my blog but Avada Kedavra the top layer of this dessert was bitter. I later learnt that vin santo was a type of wine (as is zabaglione) so this might be a reflection of my non-alcoholic tongue but that in conjunction with the dark chocolate really didn’t agree with me.
I enjoyed the ice cream because….its ice cream and I’m a former fat kid. The biscotti were also really nice and I found the nether regions of the pot to be a lot more enjoyable. I used the bottom of the pot (a sweeter chocolate offering with mousse like texture) as a dipping sauce for my biscotti and it was pretty sweet (pun intended).
I’m not a huge fan of tiramisu but this was one of the better versions I’ve had. The orange mascarpone is the dominant flavour in this dessert so keep this in mind if you’re not a fan. The trifle was fluffy and of high quality.
Here’s the TL; DR for everyone who wants to see Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay engage in a dance battle:
– There’s good and bad. Some might say that Jamie’s Italian is actually a restaurant analogy for life.
– Add me on MSN: Blackangel23@hotmail.com
– Never go small when you’re hungry
– Dark chocolate powder more bitter than your girlfriend when she realises you only bought her roses and chocolate.
Jamie’s Italian, CBD
107 Pitt Street
Opening Hours:
Sunday | 11:30 am – 11:00 pm |
Monday | 11:30 am – 11:00 pm |
Tuesday | 11:30 am – 11:00 pm |
Wednesday | 11:30 am – 11:00 pm |
Thursday | 11:30 am – 11:00 pm |
Friday | 11:30 am – 11:00 pm |
Saturday | 11:30 am – 11:00 pm |
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this post made me LOL! i’ve had mixed experiences when im at jamie’s but still don’t mind going back every now and then. the queues annoy me so much though
I’m glad, I felt good when I was writing this so there were a few more zingers than usual.
I went at 6 so it wasn’t as congested!
The squid ink spaghetti sounds tasty but I had to lol when you mentioned nether regions!
But i said “nooo doooon’t goooooo…!!” hahaha
And you’re my fav too!
Try Panzerotti Cafe, it’s like right next to Wynard station . Way closer and thousand times better. It’s incredible!!
Panzerotti is already on my list! I saw your photos from a while back.
God dayum, I’m such a fanboy.
awww you’re too sweet! xx
I’m Italian, so I’m going to be critical…..he has corrupted some Italian dishes……would much much rather go to Sopra around the corner
My friend was hoping for a more authentic experience and left disappointed. I just wanted something tasty and was reasonably satisfied.
I’ve been to Sopra but definitely need to go again!
Yeah Jamie’s is one of those restaurants that attracts ALL of the attention. In the end, what’s good is good, what’s bad is bad!
Of you’ve yet to go to cafe sopra (fratelli fresh) I highly recommend it. It’s just about the best Italian you’ll have in the CBD.
Btw, awesomesauce writing as always (y)
You summed up my entire review in eight words with ‘what’s good is good, what’s bad is bad.’
Yeah, I owe Sopra a runback. I had the polenta last time and it kind of made my week.
Thanks my dude!
LOL. love the msn nickname
Still better than what I actually went by. Heh.
Ok, I haven’t seen Breaking Bag but holy schamoly that Chocolate and Vin Santo Pot looks goooooood!!!
Start watching it!
LOL at “Jennifer Lopez in her prime..” So jealous of this whole post!
Just realised my last comment went on to the wrong post lol Still need to try Jamie’s.