Alberto's Lounge — Restaurant in Sydney

A Night of “Oops,” Whispers, and Yelling: A Mixed Bag of Polpetti, Pomp & Perplexity I came in expecting a night of comfort food and cosy service. What I got instead was a lackadaisical hospitality experience - starting with our server pouring water across the table (and a phone) while apparently gazing at a distant horizon—or maybe just bar, which does indeed look enticing. When I politely mentioned that I couldn’t hear the server, they thanked me for my apology. Which was touching, considering I hadn’t offered one. Perhaps they were taking pre-emptive forgiveness into their own hands? Now to the food: mostly good! Some entrées were a little... experimental, like a jazz solo that forgets the melody halfway through. But redemption came in the form of the Polpetti & Sugo—rich, robust, and everything my table (and my soggy phone) had been waiting for. Wine list? Interesting. The house prosecco was unavailable when ordered—apparently a one-horse race where the horse didn’t show. Later, a substitute magically appeared to be offered, suggesting it had just trotted in late or someone had finally checked the fridge. A heads-up from the manager might’ve prevented that particular bit of vinous hide-and-seek. Ambience was warm, like a woollen jumper from grandma—if grandma occasionally fiddled with the volume knob. The music rose and fell dramatically all night, leading to intimate murmurs from older couples and yelling from younger ones. It was like attending dinner and a soundcheck. As for service: the staff were bright-eyed and bushy-tailed… and some, mentally vacationing somewhere far away. Mars, perhaps. In short: I enjoyed parts of the evening, mostly the parts involving sauce and meatballs. Would I recommend it? Only if you’re wearing waterproof shoes, bring your own bubbly, and enjoy conversational charades over two warm slices of...

(4.5 stars) Alberto’s Lounge feels like it has been hiding in a back street of Surry Hills for eons, despite it only being three years old. True to form, this restaurant group—who also own Hubert, The Baxter Inn, Shady Pines Saloon & Frankie’s Pizza—have a knack for taking a setting that is undesirable and giving it so much atmosphere you barely notice.

The well-stocked bar has four wooden shelves each stuffed two bottles deep. Elevated numbered wine shelves circle the small dining room, extending onto the rafters, housing the extensive 350-bottle list. Our resulting selections, a pair of Jungle Birds ($23/each) and a 2019 Onannon Chardonnay ($120) from Tuerong on the Mornington Peninsula, both impressed. The powerful Chardonnay, with its balanced wood and flinty characters, suited our opening Tuscan pig head terrine ($25). It’s the kind of dish that looks like it wants for bread—house-baked focaccia and olive oil ($8)—but actually eats wonderfully alone. No matter, the airy golden loaf is perfect against oozing burrata and eggplant scapece ($26).

Tiny tables and a very fast kitchen do create space issues, but the relaxed yet engaged floor team make it work with aplomb. We eat our way through a chunky pesce crudo ($25) where slightly floury yellowfin tuna is given a simple tomato and vibrant caper treatment, and a tart mushroom salad ($24) combining button mushrooms, loops of fennel, pickled shiitake mushrooms and chalky sheets of Parmesan. Presented on little beds of grilled polenta, fluffy clouds of salted cod make the baccala mantecato ($8/each) worth ordering. We end on a shared bowl of rigatoni pasta, extruded on-site, dotted with enough generous hunks of braised pork belly to stonker you. My only complaint is it’s all hella salty, but that’s probably okay for a random...

Alberto’s Lounge (17-19 Alberta St, Sydney NSW 2000). Known for its charm and cozy interior, Alberto’s lounge is definitely a hidden gem in the Sydney CBD 📌. Tucked away in a quiet alleyway, beholds walls lined with art and various alcoholic beverages 🥂. I would definitely recommend Alberto’s if you love good Italian food and wine! 🤤The only downside is the noise levels as everyone is seated quite close together. 💜

🍝 Ragú d'Anatra alla Veneta Fusilli, duck ragu, fried sage, Reggiano ($33) This was definitely the best ragu I have tasted in my entire life 🫣. The sauce was sooo rich and creamy!! Definitely a must order as it went so well with the other dishes ordered! 🫰

🥩Tagliata d'agnello Lamb rump cap, charred radicchio, roast eschalot, saba ($62) I was SO impressed by the quality and execution of this dish! 🙌🏻The lamb was cooked to perfection and was contrasted so well with the charred radicchio! 🤤I would definitely recommend this dish as it was super filling and definitely a highlight! 🎊

🍄 Gratinato Swiss brown mushroom, taleggio, pangrattato ($15) I was quite unsure of ordering this dish as I surprisingly don’t enjoy eating mushrooms, HOWEVER this was an exception as it was packed with flavour and the crumbing was to absolute perfection! 🥖

🥧 Minne di Sant'Agata - Raspberry mousse, coconut sable, chantilly ($16) By the time we got to dessert options, we were definitely stuffed with the main dishes but I would totally recommend not over ordering and making room for dessert! 💘The dessert was a tad overpriced but was a perfect treat after such a rich meal. 🥲It was slightly tangy but is super addicting!...