PROFILED BY DEGROOTS MEDIAPinocchio’s is arguably one of the most adored restaurants in this part of town. Locals and outer-locals have been coming to this Italian family-run business for years because the food is downright delicious and the staff are as nice as pie. In recent times Pinocchio’s bursting seams forced it to expand its walls and it has now almost doubled in size. The expansion hasn’t seemed to alter the cheery atmosphere, with diners sucking up oysters, twirling though pasta and sharing slices of pizza. The dining room has been spruced up with splashes of red and designer wall paper, but Pinocchio’s hasn’t lost its trattoria charm with a menu which is based on simplicity and quality ingredients.
To begin, try a plate of scallops wrapped in bacon which are freshly grilled and topped with a spicy cream sauce. Mushrooms filled with prawns, scallops and smoked salmon, then topped with shaved parmesan and baked are also a decadent commencement to your meal. Pizzas and pastas are in a class of their own, however the show-stopper is the main course of whole local prawns with garlic, chilli and ginger in a cream sauce which is served on a bed of rice. This dish wows with its incredible value and impressively large prawns. The juicy steaks cannot be overlooked and come served with your choice of sauce and sides. Profiteroles with warm chocolate sauce bring any meal to a close with an affectionate belly pat unless, of course, a Limoncello is on the cards. Pinocchio’s is well loved because of its welcoming nature and enjoyable menu, hence its glowing reputation in “The Spot” at Randwick.
Annabel Wise