Rosso Balmain — Restaurant in Sydney

• NOT FAMILY FRIENDLY IF YOU HAVE 0-2 Y OLD BABY *

I come all the way from the West to enjoy a dinner with family and friends here, because my last (level 7 Google guide) review - 3y ago - use to say “Great place loved the food and staff was very nice”…now since then, things have changed, staff is still nice and friendly (they are the only good part with the pizza) and I can’t say the food was bad because it’s still pretty good, al least the pizzas, pasta and especially desserts are to forget, but the worst change I’ve noticed going there with another pair of couples with kids of different ages is the organisation…we are in 2022, your business is certainly not lacking in money to invest and there we are, sitting in this new small and extremely loud new location where they have no high-chairs for babies, no booster seats for kids and not even cushions to put in the pram or the chairs, so I had to go grab the picnic blanket in the car to adjust my son - some people with calmer kids had to eat with them sitting on lap - absolutely unacceptable, they should have warn at booking that those things are not available and that one should bring his own.

To finish, they don’t even have cloth napkins so we had to patch together a few paper napkins but whoever has babies knows they love to rip it apart.

So I am sorry but my 5 stars review from 3 years ago has fallen to 2 stars ⭐️ ⭐️

I don’t think we will ever go back in this place again…not until our...

It is ok, used to be better at the old location. Go with the pizzas or charcuterie boards. Huge amount of wine options.

The lasagna had way too many cream layers and not enough meat ragu layers. Was ok, but wouldn't order it again.

Quattro formaggi (4 cheese pizza) didn't have much cheese, but instead a lot of rocket and walnuts on top. Wasn't bad, but when your order "4 cheese pizza" you want a lot of cheese, and strong ones. The smelly the better... That wasn't the case. But as a "rocket walnut salad on top of a cheese pizza", was great.

Terrible narrow stairs for access with pram and wheelchairs. At least only 5 big steps, not too many. But you gotta dodge the uber eats delivery guys waiting at the stairs for their orders.

Also very hot inside, and I was sweating. Not enough ventilation, nor air con. Recommend wearing short sleeves and sitting away from the kitchen.

Male waiters were super nice and fast with a smile on their faces and very helpful, full of charisma. The female waiter not so much, didn't seem to understand our order, seemed a bit overwhelmed and she forgot our drinks. The manager was friendly and apologized for not having high chairs available for my kid.

Gave 4 stars cause I wish they improve and don't want to diss the business. But on this isolated occasion, would be a 3 stars max. For a Friday early dinner, at 60% capacity, could have been better. Would avoid it when crowded or...

NO corkage is one of Le Regole (The Rules)! This is the Rule that most appeases me. However it was Rule No. 2 that left Baroness aghast and rebellious. Rule No.2 at Balmain's Rosso Pomodoro was no pineapple on the pizze. As she is a Queenslander she finds this particularly offensive and considers such a statement as an affront to 5 million of her fellow Queenslanders (pineapple is the Sunshine State's 'national fruit' with the ham and pineapple pizza as the State's 'national dish'). I quietly say Bravo Rosso Pomodoro!

You know you are going to get a serious and authentic true-to-form Napoli pizza if pineapple is prohibito. But Le Regole don't stop with our prickly golden oval friend - other direttiva prominently on display are 'no half and half'; 'only Italian mozzarella used' (note: is there any other??); 'only Italian toppings '(note: therefore no Mexicana pizzas or meat lovers); 'Italian certified pizza maker used'; and 'pizza is cooked straight on the stone'.

Could it get any better than this for pizza dilettante? You betcha. Rosso Pomodoro is renowned as one of the best places to get pizza in Sydney and also for Sydney's most expensive pizza - the tartufo di Tasmania - and it only is made around June/July when Tasmanian truffles are in season.

One of the best pizzerias south of Naples. Just don't break any...