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Bocelli Caffe Ristorante is the type of place that would look busy even if it was not, although it usually is bursting at the seams with diners. It is a large, colourful dining space with a huge choice of eating options. The quaint little gelato cooler leads into a magnificent cake cabinet, both explaining the absence of a formal dessert menu. If something does not take your fancy from the shelves of cookies, cannoli, slices, sponges, tortes and tarts then your sweet tooth needs reprogramming. Cupcakes, croissants, mousse-filled magic moments and surprises of the kinder kind round off, begin or join an ideal Bocelli meal.
The coffee is cracking and, suffice to say, will have you bounding through the day. Next comes the pizza bar, where 20 contenders sing for your palate's attention. Cheese lovers will go all gooey inside over the gorgonzola, pepperoni and rocket number. Those who prefer their pizzas on the fishy side will hook the smoked salmon with mozzarella cheese, Spanish onion, sour cream and pesto. The vegetarian calzone delivers a pizza pastry pie of eggplant, cheese, mushrooms, roasted capsicum and tomato topped with napoletana sauce. Pasta and risotto dishes will not leave room for much else. Spaghetti marinara reels in fresh local seafood, garlic and parsley tossed through a light olive oil and tomato sauce. Kids will love their offering of spaghetti pomodoro – golden buttered and parmesan crumbed strands – mangia, mangia!
Roz Taylor