La Rosa The Strand - Sydney

It's been three years since I last had the pleasure of dining in The Strand Arcade at La Rosa. It's a slick and sophisticated spot, even if it does play second fiddle to its better-known sibling, Pendolino, at the other end of the ornate, Victorian arcade.Separated from the restaurant by a dark screen, the bar is a cosy and intimate place to enjoy wine or a well-crafted cocktail. The Speyside Sour ($23.80) presents Glenfiddich 12-year old single malt under a frothy head of lemon, sugar, Angostura bitters and a twist of lemon rind that's been expertly cleaned of all pith. The Cocold Old Fashioned ($19.70) tarts up the classic drink with chocolate bitters, topping it with fine flakes of chocolate and another textbook twist, this time, orange.While there is a bar menu, we hold out for dinner, so are hungry by the time we're moved to our assigned table in the long, red-roofed room. Fast moving, black-clad staff quickly get us started on a Laissez Faire 'Field Blend' ($82.60) of pinot grigio, gewürztraminer and pinot blanc from Western Australia's Great Southern. We fret a little on the Pane Basket ($5.95), which takes a bit longer to arrive.The basket's warm pizza crusts are however enjoyable against the Vignarola Salad ($17.80). For a salad, it has a very inviting list of ingredients - zucchini flowers, almonds, onion, quail eggs, fennel, artichoke, and organic Gorgonzola - but the naughtier bits are in moderation, so it's still a healthy dish. Truth be told, I did pine for more organic Gorgonzola, and I don't think I saw any zucchini flowers (though they are out of season).The cool night intrigued me into ordering the fish pie - Tiella Di Gaeta ($38). The petite, open-topped pastry pie arrives under a fish skin sail. It's filled with a creamy mix of Gaeta barramundi, salt fish and turnip, and sits on a green circlet of turnip top greens (cime di rapa). Both size and saltiness make sides a requirement for this dish.The Cetriolo E Schiacciate ($12) with cucumber, crushed green olive, parsley, black grain and Parmesan was useful, but dominated by cucumber. I'm so-so on the trendy black grain addition too, preferring the more plain cucumber and green olive salad I ate on my last visit. Salad is also suitable for a square of Lasagne Al Fondo E Finferli ($39.75). While this lasagne is pricy, the spend is evidenced in the blend of good quality pork and White Rocks veal.Our Zeppola ($16.50) arrives with a flourish: warm, caramel sauce poured at the table by staff. Taken with a Piccolo Latte ($4.30), the sugar-dusted traditional potato doughnut topped with vanilla gelato, turns out to be my meal highlight in this space that continues to exude a sophisticated, date-night vibe.

Classified an Osteria (which in my limited experience is more of a rustic experience) this restaurant is a little more upmarket - the tier 2 offering of the sister restaurant at the other end of the 2nd floor in the strand arcade.You can go nuts with the menu and rack up a bill very quickly but you can also choose carefully to make it a great night out.I can recommend the pork gnocchi and the fungi risotto which were both great. The merengue cream did not have enough acid (there was only a whisk of the bitter marmalade around the plate to cut through the richness).Wine list is solid even if limited choice by the glass.The Strand is a gorgeous place for a restaurant.I would definitely go again.

An excellent meal, friendly attentive and prompt service. Elegant and sophisticated surroundings. Looking forward to a repeat visit.

Every time we come here it is excellent. The food is delicious and the wait staff are extremely friendly. From the time we walk in until we leave the attention to detail is fantastic especially from our handsome waiter Gaetano. The food was amazing and the new menu is delicious, especially the leather jacket. Thank you La Rosa for providing exceptional food and service.

A good spot for a business dinner, a sister to Pendolino at the other end of the Strand Arcade.The menu is full and varied, with more than just the usual Italian clichés. We had a lovely salad to start with, full of fresh ingredients (hazelnut, artichoke, zucchini, qual eggs and many more) and beautifully prepared. Followed with a pizza to share, in the Roman style with a superb crust and generous - though not over-generous - toppings. Finished off with a cheese plate, which was slightly annoying in that there was a variety of heavily flavoured breads which tended to overpower the more delicate cheeses. An excellent wine list offers great pleasure, though it is limited when it comes to liqueurs.Service throughout was good, but a little absent-minded from time to time. They made up for this with friendliness and a decent level of hospitality.It can be noisy if seated near one of the larger tables.Prices are fair, but certainly not cheap.