Shop 4, 218 Rockingham Rd, Spearwood
Ph:(08) 94345888
www.vinorossoristorante.com.au
Local Family Favourite
Vino Rosso is truly something special for the local residents of Spearwood and its surrounding areas. Conveniently located in the suburbs, rather than the hustle and bustle of Fremantle, this place is perfect for the midweek meal and lazy weekends.
Owner/Director of Vino Rosso, Mr Ivan Scarpuzza has put a lot of time, energy and personal touches into making Vino Rosso a complete package. Having trained in Sicily in 1991 initially as a pastry chef, it is also where he continued on to complete cooking school. His Australian experience began in the heart of Fremantle and now, to the delight and benefit of local residents, he has embarked on the Spearwood family style restaurant, Vino Rosso (formerly Bella Napoli).
Aside from the great variety of meals produced here, Vino Rosso offers much more than your usual restaurant experience. Here you can have your convenient take away options (but I can assure you, dining in-house is a really enjoyable experience), pizza and pasta specials on Tuesday and Wednesday nights as well as catering for functions and special events on any scale. It is definitely worthwhile to peruse the catering menu because it is very well priced and can be delivered to your door on the day of your special event. The options are yours, from booking out the restaurant for your function, having the food and wait staff delivered to your door, or even requesting a special buffet designed for your occasion. Whatever your needs, Vino Rosso’s catering will be able to accommodate you, although it will be closed on Mondays as of May this year.
It was a Thursday evening when I dined at Vino Rosso and it was already buzzing with many diners occupying large group tables as well as some regular customers. To start I shared the ‘Salsiccia alla Griglia’ entrée which is Italian sausage served with polenta squares, and found this very substantial in size to share between two, not to mention, really appetising. For mains we ordered off the specials board, which I recommend, and on this occasion we had ‘Salmone Al Cartoccio’ which was salmon with the skin on, enclosed in a foil package with squid, prawns, fresh tomato and garlic. This was incredibly flavourful and served with seasoned buttered vegetables.
One of the most unique dishes to find here was the ‘Squid ink risotto’ and this stood out as a spectacular dish. I was delighted to see a dish with squid ink on the menu as this ingredient has been cropping up everywhere, from television cooking shows to famous international chefs’ restaurants and I think this credits Vino Rosso in its ability to stay in touch with current food trends. Dining out can be about many things, from your trusty and reliable favourite dishes, to being able to experience and try new tastes and flavours. The squid ink risotto will definitely not disappoint first timers. Lastly, a trusty favourite for many I’m sure, the ‘Pollo Ripieno’ which is chicken breast, filled with spinach and ricotta in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce.
Of course we couldn’t bid arrivederci to Vino Rosso without sampling some really good Italian wine. To have with our meals, we had an Italian white wine, the Babo Pinot Grigio and of the same make, a lovely red wine, Babo Rosso Isolano Cabernet Merlot. The white wine was a fruity blend and would make for a perfect drinking wine and a must try for all newcomers.
This Italian restaurant has the vibrant and friendly atmosphere that a family restaurant should ooze. Vino Rosso serves its meals with a smile with help from the many friendly wait staff and that is one of those extra special touches that made dining here a warm and welcoming experience. I know where my favourite local Italian eatery is, and you’re just in luck, because Vino Rosso can now be yours too.
By Louie Coen