20191227 Sfizio Cucina e Caffé and Norwood Hotel

It's Christmas week and Stephen and I aren't in the city this Friday. Stephen suggested we meet again at Norwood pub and eat at Norwood. It's technically Con's turn, but he didn't mind.

It's another 45 degree day and I am praying that the pub is cool. Stephen and I get there about 5.30 and Con is already there. We had a table on the raised platform to the right of the pub. There was a group of VERY rowdy young men carrying on like pork chops. We couldn't barely hear ourselves speak.

When Richard showed up we decided to move to the other side of the pub. I was talking with Con about the Country Music Documentary by Ken Burns that I had watched - love, love, loved it!! Richard had also downloaded it and was deciding whether to invest the 16 hours necessary to see it. Both Con and I agreed that it was well worth it.

The very unusual thing about tonight is that I was drinking and Stephen was driving! Richard felt his forehead asking if he was ill :-)

Con was easy going and happy to listen to suggestions on where to eat. We eventually choose Italian. The place directly opposite the Norwood pub, Sfizio. None of us had been there before...

So.. what did we eat and what did we think?

We sat at the back of the restaurant - thankfully cool.

I had the Linguine Zingarella. I was interested in comparing this recipe with the one that I had previously at Amalfis. It was like soup, loads of sauce. It smelled too 'fishy' - a fishy smell that you have when the fish is slightly too old. That smell put me off. There were 3 prawns in the meal. A bit stingy if you ask me. I had some of the pasta and left over half of it. I had the luxury of having a beer with my meal - a rare occasion.

Chad had the Calzone Bimbo... his comment afterwards? It's alright... his score reflected how he felt.

Con was being adventuresome and had the Saltimbocca Alla Romana (Veal and veggies). Con said afterwards... 'ah.. it was good'. Said with a tinge of regret.

Stephen had the Penne Pollo (chicken). He ate it and again, similar to Chad and Con, thought it was average.

Finally, Richard had the Tortellini Alla Panna (Ham and mushrooms). He mirrored the same response as the others.

Score for the evening...

Elizabeth - 5.5
Chad - 6.5
Con - 6
Stephen - 7
Richard - 7

The only thing I will say is that it was relatively cheap - $58 for mine and Stephen's meal including the beer. Then again, if I don't eat half of my meal it isn't that cheap...

What to say about this restaurant?

Well, the service was fast. Very fast. A bit too fast for my liking. Stephen had barely finished and they whipped away his plate, regardless of whether he wanted to mop up the juice. It's a dislike of mine to have a waiter/ess clear away plates whilst people at the table are still eating.

Richard had eyed the cakes earlier and thought they were standard Italian fare, so we decided to go back to the Norwood pub for dessert.

I didn't feel like a coffee or cake so I stuck with another beer - why not?

Richard had the passion-fruit cheesecake. Chad had the lemon tart and Con had the Pecan Pie - all had coffees. A pleasant way to end the day.