Ciccio's Pasta Bar

We lived in the Valley for a couple of years and funnily enough, never actually ate here until we moved out to the ‘burbs. They are one of hubby’s customers so we get really well looked after – but we’ve recommended a lot of friends here and they have all been suitably impressed. It’s a little Italian Restaurant opposite Ecco in the Industrial part of the city, just down from the Marriott.

They have paper tablecloths and crayons to amuse yourself while you wait for your food. (And funnily enough it's always the big kids who like the crayons more than the littlies!).

The pastas are fantastic – super generous serves with quality pastas and sauces – it’s a mix and match, you choose what pasta with which sauce. Garlic pizza breads are wonderfully crisp and topped with gooey cheese. Pizzas also share the love, super fresh toppings with crisp bases and no sogginess in sight! If you have room - try the meatballs as a starter (they are a tapas item) - they are mouthwateringly good... a secret blend of Pork, Veal and Beef mince with selected herbs and spices in a rich tomato sauce... just a shame you can't have them as a Main Course!

I'm a firm beleiver in staying true to the menu - if you go to an Italian Restaurant you should order something Italian, not a peice of steak or similar. But obviously not everyone agrees with me - and Ciccio's caters to this crowd as well having a selection of salads, Chickens and Steaks.

The prices are very pocket friendly - especially considering their city locations - they are a little bit of the way - but definately worth the walk.

Although not something they brag about - one of the co-owners used to be a brilliant barman - so if you ask, prepare to be dazzled by some amazing cocktails. They have a pretty special wine list and although I haven't been yet - I've heard their new wine bar that they've opened downstairs is pretty exciting... must be time for our next visit!

Verdict: Great night out for cheap but great quality Italian food. It’s casual enough that you're allowed to draw on the tables, but the food is good enough to take a date there! They also do takeaway for all the savvy locals and seem to be a favourite amongst late finishing Hospitality staff.

My Reccommendations: I love the Fettucine Carbonara or the Chargrilled Vegetable Pizza, the meatballs are to die for and you may not want to share...

Contact:
Ciccio's Pasta Bar
471 Adelaide Street
Brisbane
(opposite Ecco)

The night Ecco stole my heart...

We first went to Ecco almost a year ago now for an occasion that was special at the time (obviously) but has since become known as “the night we went to Ecco”.

It was without a doubt, the most perfect night out at a Restaurant either of us had ever experienced. Being a hospitality snob, I can be picky (internally) – but don’t get me wrong, I’m not a whinger or a scene-maker. I just quietly note all the things that they could have done differently to make it a better experience. But Ecco hit every nail on the head, even the nails I didn’t know were there until BAM!, down it went.

The whole evening was seamless from a service point of view – the door was opened for us, they knew who we were, water was poured as soon as we were seated and our drinks materialised within minutes of us ordering them. Our flamboyantly gay waiter was charming and finely tread the line between personable and professional while genuinely interacting with us throughout our meals.

My husband still talks about the soup. He’s a picky bugger sometimes and wasn’t in the mood for quail, scallops or mushrooms so he defaulted to the Cauliflower and Caramelised Garlic Soup which sounded “noice” but I couldn’t go past the Portabello Mushrooms on Olive Toast which I had heard beforehand, was one of the Restaurant’s signature dishes. When the meals arrived, I was too busy devouring my outstanding starter – it was everything it should have been. Delicious earthy mushrooms atop chargrilled olive sourdough, super fresh and peppery rocket dressed with the most divine lemon infused olive oil – I was in heaven and savouring every mouthful.

Oblivious in my happiness, I managed to draw breath between bites to glance over at hubby, protectively guarding my plate like a prison inmate only to see him gripping his deep soup bowl like a man drowning and licking his lips with his eyes closed.

I swear to God, the man was purring!

The soup (in a very generous quantity) was like a velvet reduction of the most fabulous, intense and perfectly seasoned cauliflower gratin I have ever had. Hubby admitted to me later, as he neared the last spoonful, that he was considering how he could create a scene big enough that he could lick his bowl clean without being treated like a circus freak!

So the starters were obviously winners, Ecco was moving to the top of our favourite Restaurant list and then our Mains came out. Again, hubby didn’t fancy anything on the menu but was completely bowled over by the Chef’s Special – Grade 9 Wagyu Rump, Slow Roasted with Truffle Mash and Broccollini. It sounded nice, but I’m married to a Butcher – I can have steak whenever I want. I went for the Duck, and neither of our choices disappointed.

My duck was fantastic with a Capital F. Creamy and Crispy in all the right places, it would have been finger-lick’in good if it wasn’t so tender it fell apart just looking at my knife. There was no need for fingers.

It was the best version of Duck I have ever had. But hubby’s steak – well that broke all the rules. It was single handedly the most rich, intensely flavoured piece of meat I had ever tasted and it was perfectly balanced by the mashed potatoes. He struggled to finish it, even after sharing several bites with me, and said he wanted to cry when he saw the waiter carrying it to the kitchen unfinished.

I have since bought the Ecco cookbook in an effort to recreate some of these dishes, but after a couple of failures, I have resigned myself to simply picking up the bill the next time we go. Ecco is a jewel among Brisbane, and if I can give you some advice: Book early, wear elasticised pants and be prepared to be wowed.

Verdict: Amazing, unpretentious, fabulous quality food worthy of a celebration or any time you have a spare $200 (per couple) lying around.

My recommendations: Anything on the Chef’s Special Board, Portobello Mushrooms on Olive Toast.

Details: Ecco