Jamie’s Italian, Sydney

UPDATED: New post on Jamie’s Italian located here.

Unsatisfied with multiple hit TV shows, books, restaurants and membership in the Order of the British Empire, Jamie Oliver continues the next phase of his plan for Culinary World Dominance. His first Sydney restaurant, Jamie’s Italian, officially opened its doors today.

At BC’s behest, R and myself were ready to try out this new place; we even left for lunch earlier than usual to beat the queue. No bookings are taken for groups less than 6. We shouldn’t have worried: opening day at lunch time was slow and staff easily outnumbered the patrons. Will there be cause for this to change? Judging by the decor and our meal, I should hope so.

Jamie’s Italian is housed in the premises that used to house the flailing Industrie, a Southern French restaurant. The end was nigh when the restaurant gave way to the bar and the bar gave way to singles nights. Post-renovation, Jamie’s Italian appears to make better use of the narrow but deep two-storey space.

The downstairs area when Industrie occupied it felt particularly foreboding – it was a narrow moodily-lit hall with immaculately placed settings. This time around, the well-lit casual seating invites you to sit down, get comfy and share a meal.

Downstairs

Upstairs, the interior’s marked contrast from its past continues. Walls covered in graffiti line a space lushly decorated and lit.

Upstairs

The bar has been converted to a deli station, where one can sit and watch all things cured be prepared.

Upstairs delicatessen

As for the food itself, BC had a Monachelle Puttanesca, seashell pasta with a tomato sauce, capers, chilli, anchovies, parsley, black olives & herby breadcrumbs. He certifies it’s a winner.

Monachelle Puttanesca $12.00/$17.50

R had the Burger Italiano, Wagga Wagga beef with fontina cheese, salami, soft lettuce, tomato salsa, dill pickles, chilli & fried onions. He confirms the tall burger is tasty, if lacking in structural integrity: it collapsed into a mush three quarters of the way through it.

Burger Italiano $19.50

I had the Fish Baked in a Bag, local fish of the day with clams, mussels, fennel, chilli, anchovies & Sicilian cracked wheat. The parcel of seafood wrapped in baking paper and aluminium foil wasn’t much to look up but it did well in preparing and carrying its cargo; the fish was tenderly cooked (if not the mollusks). It went especially well with the cracked wheat, which had a subtle flavour throughout of the fish, lemon, pine nuts (?) and capers. Topped with a chilli tomato salsa, it’s a healthy treat.

Fish Baked in a Bag $28

Jamie’s Italian’s food and decor, just like Oliver, is rough around the edges but substantial and likeably left of centre. I’d like to try out more.

The word? Whether you like Jamie Oliver or not, what we had was much enjoyed. The food is also reasonably priced. Perfect for the city lunch or dinner treat, I expect this place to get very busy… hopefully not before I get to try out the rest of the menu.

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