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Roberta Muiron Google

3 weeks ago

Charlie Colosi and his team know a thing or two about Italian food and wine, having run Grappa in Leichhardt since the turn of the century. More importantly they know about hospitality - the kind that makes you want to come back again and again. It's heart-warming to watch Charlie walk the floor of the iconic old Rockpool site - greeting regulars like family and making newcomers feel like they're already regulars. He'll tell you that the olive oil came from his Dad's mate in WA, the yellow fin for the carpaccio from a fisher down the coast, and that you should have a little of the house-made chilli oil on everything - even the 'nduja ("Hey, we're Calabrese," he says)! That 'nduja (from Pino's in Kogarah) is perfect on a crisp pizza bianca with zucchini flowers – chunks of fresh buffalo mozzarella added after it comes out of the oven. Alongside wood-grilled steaks there's plenty of super fresh Australian seafood – from grilled Port Lincoln calamari with salmoriglio to a stunning kingfish crudo with finger lime. Lots of great veggie options too, like Vannella burrata with house-pickled wild mushrooms, chestnut cream and almonds; and 'Rigatoni Grappa', their signature riff on pasta alla vodka in a creamy tomato sauce. Charlie explains that the radicchio salad with thick slices of crunchy fennel was the way his father always loved it. When it comes to dessert, it takes restraint to offer soft serve with nothing but a drizzle of Dad's mate's EVO and a sprinkle of sea salt – and gee it works! On the opposite end of the simplicity scale, there's the clever Limone dessert. A scoop of ricotta gelato sits on the plate beside a perfect lemon - perhaps the rosemary twig in place of the stalk should have been the give-away. I started on the gelato and its chocolate crumble ignoring the lemon until Charlie came and cracked it open to reveal the limoncello and bergamot cream inside the perfect lemon chocolate shell! Friendly, professional service, great wines (including by the glass) - lots of nooks and crannies whether you want a booth overlooking the kitchen or a quiet corner table. Plus the front bar that Charlie may try to drag you into to share a grappa with him on your way out the door. I have a feeling I'll be back - again and again.

Colin Stohron Google

a month ago

Service was amazing. Atmosphere was pumping and inclusive. Food was some of the best Italian food I’ve eaten anywhere in the world including Italy and melbourne (we are melbourne locals). The head waiter went out of his way to make our honeymoon special.

Hassan Izzet (IzzEat)on Google

a month ago

What a fantastic dining experience at Grappa😊 From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by the friendly and attentive staff. We arrived a little early and our table was not quite ready, so we were invited to sit at the pizza bar. This turned out to be a wonderful experience, especially when owner Charlie Colosimo generously shouted us a complimentary glass of champagne. Grazie Mille. It was great fun watching the pizza bar in action and seeing the mouth-watering pizzas emerge from the wood-fired oven🍕😋 The atmosphere was vibrant and authentic, adding to an already memorable evening. Every dish was superbly prepared, beautifully presented, incredibly delicious, and very generously portioned. The quality of the food and attention to detail were evident throughout the meal. The only minor comment would be that one of the pasta dishes could have been cooked slightly more al dente, but it certainly did not detract from an otherwise outstanding dining experience. A big thank you to Charlie and the entire team for making our night so special and memorable. We truly appreciated the hospitality and exceptional service. We look forward to returning very soon.

Mihaela cristina Dumbravaon Google

2 months ago

Lunch at Grappa The Rocks was exceptional from start to finish, and honestly, the service was the highlight of the whole experience. Federico, our section waiter, was fantastic attentive, warm, and clearly passionate about the food, talking us through every dish with genuine enthusiasm. Nothing was rushed, nothing was forgotten, and he made the whole table feel completely looked after despite how busy the restaurant was. Tazio, the sommelier, was equally brilliant his wine recommendations were spot on, perfectly matched to the seafood-heavy menu, and he took the time to actually explain his choices rather than just pouring and moving on. That kind of genuine knowledge and care makes such a difference. As for the food outstanding. Oysters and caviar to start, a rich pappardelle with veal ragù, a generous seafood risotto, and an incredible spanner lobster spaghetti served over the shell that stole the show. They even surprised us with a beautiful birthday dessert, candles and all. Charlie the owner, was an absolute pleasure too, so hospitable and welcoming, making sure everything was perfect and that we genuinely felt at home, exactly like in Italy. You can tell the warmth at this restaurant comes right from the top. Highly recommend. Will be back.

Lison Google

a month ago

Grappa The Rocks offers traditional Italian food. Our dining experience was exceptional and memorable - from start to finish it was truly faultless. The sandstone heritage building is beautiful. The fresh food is delicious - we had Cone Bay Barramundi fillet hot pot and the special seafood risotto. Their pasta is handmade daily and they make woodfired pizzas - there’s something for all budgets. The atmosphere is casual and vibrant. The friendly professional service is next level - we really felt spoit🥂🍾