Italian Stallion — Restaurant in Sydney

It has been a very long time since I came across a restaurant that really stood out and left it's mark on me but the Italian Stallion finally filled that void. My wife and I decided to go out at random and find a new place to dine, very last minute, and at 8pm at night. When we arrived and walked up to its well lit entry we were delighted to find some beautiful live music and more importantly a single table for two available in an otherwise booked out venue. The friendly staff greeted us and informed us of the specials and pointed out their trademark cocktail bar. We started with a mocktail and a dry, dirty, Belvedere Martini (with 4 olives of course), both absolutely delicious. We started with two Entries, the 'Dynamite Prawns' and the 'Seared Scollops' and what a choice to start! The prawns are the restaurants take on a prawn cocktail but nothing like you have had before. Lightly seared, fresh king prawn tails with a very light batter and presented in a large cocktail glass and served still warm with a fresh display of cabbage leaf, along with thin sliced cabbage and I think, fennel and apple slaw with a delightfully spicy cocktail dressing as unique in its flavour as it was perfect and well balanced. The seared Scollops were another dish that did not disappoint. I may have been heard saying they were about the Scollops I have ever had. They were a very good size and fresh. Furthermore cooked to perfection. The outer Scollop seared, creating a delicately thin outer skin while maintaining a beautifully warm centre that melted in your mouth. Beautifully plated with a side of pickled cabbage and almond and drizzled with a carrot and ginger puree. Devine! After a second round of refreshments it was time for the main course. For our mains we went for the Ocean Trout, served with Fennel salad and lightly cooked baby carrots and seasonal vegetables (I mentioned how much I loved zucchini flowers stuffed with mozzarella) and magically one appeared. The salad was fresh, the sliced Ocean Trout was seared with the skin on and tasted fresh with that delicate unmistakablely light flavour that only Ocean Trout could provide. To the side, there was a cellarack paste with a wonderfully soft and slightly nutty texture and flavour. Our other main was the Scotch fillet and jus, cooked blue, and served with mash potatoes and salad. It's hard to get excited about 'steak and veg' but again, EXCELLENT! Perfectly cooked, great quality marbled Scotch Fillet. The salad was fresh and original and a perfect accompaniment. We skipped the mash and had extra salad. I love the fact that the kitchen was flexible and accommodating to our requests Now this is not the ideal cut to be cooked like this but this is the way we like it and was our choice. If I was to add an suggestion it would be to have a different cut on the menu or a second choice, a nice thick New York cut or eye medallian (just for us foodies) but I could understand why I'm the current climate this would not be an option. I finished the meal with good old vanilla ice cream and seasonal fruit. How can you go wrong with this and of course they still managed to surprise, with the ice cream served on a thin crispy wafer bowl. It was exactly what I was after. On leaving, the staff who were wonderful throughout the night bid us good evening. beautiful food and wonderful entertainment the Woman on solo guitar who sang throughout the night was talented and played at the perfect level. All in all, I can not fault this great little venue and look forward to...

I'd like to start with a quick note: Unfortunately you can't give zero stars, so although it pains me I give this a 1/5. So, our booking was made early in the week for a BIRTHDAY (12 people). Upon arrival, we walked in only to be pulled up immediately by who I can only describe as the Melbourne version of Super Mario. Before asking anything (How are you?, Welcome!, literally nothing) he told us we weren't allowed to bring our cake in. We were upset but willing to move on, until we were told we couldn't even put the cake in their fridge until we leave because "We have dessert on our set menu". No idea what the food was like, as we were inside for 1 minute. But what I can tell you is it was small, dark and set out exactly the way Joseph Fritzell had his basement. The smug, rude, pole up his ass hipster equipt with a disgusting curly moustache was more than happy to turn away $800 revenue for the night over a cake. So it's safe to say it's run by wankers, and is not people friendly. My advice,...

Girlfriend and I decided we would go and have a big jug of sangria, and headed for the Mexican restaurant ... which was no longer there!

Decided nothing ventured, nothing gained, so took a window table at Italian Stallion.

OMG.

The service from the moment we walked in until we signed off on the bill (leaving a hefty tip and feeling happy to do so) was perfection. The outrageously flirty food and bar staff are a real hoot. Nothing sleazy, just funny funny funny. The cocktails are generously sized, and imaginative. The staff in the kitchen perhaps have no time for frivolity, they are busy turning out the absolute best, most mouth watering concoctions you are likely to find anywhere in Gymea, and possibly the Shire. The food ... I'll never be the same again. Do yourself a huge favour and go there. Even if you have to go on your...