Restaurant Santino — Restaurant in Wollongong City Council

With the premier state celebrating its freedom day it was time to hit the foodie scene again and make a splash at one of Wollongongs newest Italian offerings Restaurant Santino.

The hype around Santino is really positive and I had high hopes about our groups first big night out. Overall we had a really enjoyable night but it was also a night full of conflict… The service was super friendly, yet also clumsy. The food was amazing, yet lacklustre in some details. The drinks menu extensive, yet some selections were not available. This leads to the score which I will talk about now instead of at the end of the review. The 4 stars were heavily rounded up from what should have been a 3 if we are being honest. The generosity of the four is because we know things have been bloody hard for the hospitality industry and Santino hasn’t had a chance to really spread its wings and soar. The wing clipping lock downs and restrictions on dining out; especially hurting the fine dining sector.

With the score explained let’s talk about the venue. Tucked away in Globe Lane off Crown St mall were you used to have to follow your mother on her trips to David Jones the entrance is unassuming but opens into a comfortable and really cozy dining room with a semi open kitchen. There is table and bar seating and our group of 7 were shown a table right next to the impressive wall of pickles and preserves that dominates the dining room decor.

Our waiter Carter deserves a very honourable mention. His service was friendly and honest and it was the poor guys first night on after lockdown. Let’s talk about why the service was conflicting. The service progressed slowly. This didn’t bother our group as we were busy catching up after a long iso hibernation but we were concerned at the pace things were moving we wouldn’t get through our food before the next sitting. We were assured this would not be a problem however after some kitchen confusion we were delivered the bill after finishing our mains leaving us wondering and longing for the just dessert’s we were denied. Carter couldn’t have been more apologetic and even refused to accept a tip, maybe we should call him Sir Carter because he was the chivalrous knight in a serving apron that really did his best.

The food!!! I know, you are reading the review because you want to know if the food is good, not that we missed out on desert… The food is, for the most part, amazing. A well deployed fusion of modern and traditional; it’s Italian comfort food served up with refined subtlety.

Some stand outs…

The ox tongue skewers, but at $12 each pricey for the serving size. If you are turned off by the sound of ox tongue you are missing out. It’s a really delicate flavoured and textured meat and the tonnato dressing and contrasting pickles make this dish a hit!

The duck parfait was decadently smooth and the the orange preserve a classic flavour match. The dish was let down by the panettone. I am sure that Italian kids fear this dry, sweet, traditional Christmas bread and it didn’t do the parfait justice. A richer option like a gnocco fritter or similar would be up to the job?

The almond ricotta alla primavera was delicious. Alla primavera means in the style of springtime and the green vegetables and rich ricotta are a match made in heaven. The herb oil rounding out the dish as a star performer.

A lot of our group had the Murray cod and it was a simple yet well executed dish. The mild flavoured fatty flesh of this fresh water fish was served with a crunchy crispy skin and charred lemon.

Two sides that were also delicious were the caramelised artichoke and the gatto di patate. The gatto is French influenced Neapolitan cooking and is a delicate potato cake with creamy scarmorza cheese and salty pancetta. Both delicious!!

A quick mention on the worst item. The starter focaccia bread was a real let down. With more moisture seen in the Sahara desert and not enough oil to hydrate this pan-full (lame French pun intended) bread it is a non event.

Will I be back? Yes!! Maybe more suited to a...

Dwarfed by construction hoarding, Restaurant Santino is better than it looks. The ugliness outside adds to your sense of discovery within, developing as you traverse the long hallway, past the elegant rounded bar, to an atmospheric dining room that widens out in the rear. The door currently labeled Sonny’s will soon be a portal to a Portuguese and Spanish wine bar, Bar Lina. Just like the Paisano & Daughters group in Sydney (who own Continental), the mob behind Santino are amassing a reputation for quality venues (they also own Kneading Ruby) with engaged floor teams.

While the setting screams dirty martini, I refreshed my palate with a Calda Paloma ($23) where Casa Orendain reposado tequila mingles with grapefruit and white wine vinegar. The Chiaro Negroni ($24)—a white pineapple-infused negroni—was equally impressive, with the pineapple’s sweetness well balanced by bitterness. Freshly shucked Merimbula oysters ($6/each) arrive with a generously proportioned bowl of raspberry mignonette with the finest dice I’ve ever seen on the eschallot. They called for Chardonnay, and the by-the-glass list answered with a big bucket of buttery malolactic fermentation in the 2022 La Crema ($39/250ml).

Hokkaido scallop crudo ($25) keeps the scallop the hero against rich, fatty buttermilk, delicate green dill oil and crunchy flakes of Aleppo pepper. Charred Fremantle octopus ($28) sits on a bed of corn kernels tossed in tarragon butter. Order Millers’ Local Bakehouse bread ($8) to mop it up. Boasting pork and fennel sausages prepared to their recipe at a local butcher, tube-shaped ziti ($34) teamed with chicory, confit chilli oil, crunchy pangratatto and curly shavings of ricotta salata, were a star. A spike of aniseed comes through from the snags. The Chardonnay loves this dish almost as much as I love this easy-drinking...

Restaurant Santino is a true gem, delivering a perfect combination of warm hospitality, impeccable service, and outstanding Italian cuisine. From the moment we stepped inside, we were welcomed with genuine friendliness and knowledgeable guidance from the staff. Louis, in particular, was incredibly helpful, ensuring our experience was seamless and memorable.

We were seated at the bar, and it turned out to be the perfect spot. We had a fantastic time watching the team in action while enjoying the lively yet intimate atmosphere.

The food was exceptional, with every dish showcasing thoughtful preparation and bold flavors. The absolute highlight was the whipped Gorgonzola with patatine fritte, a dangerously addictive combination that we hope never leaves the menu. The conchiglie with prawn was beautifully balanced, allowing the freshness of the seafood to shine, while the mafaldine with lamb was rich, comforting, and deeply satisfying.

The ambience was just as impressive as the food. The decor was warm and inviting, with every detail executed to perfection. From the lighting to the table settings, everything contributed to an atmosphere that felt both stylish and intimate, exactly what you want in a great Italian restaurant.

Restaurant Santino is a standout in Wollongong’s dining scene, effortlessly blending authenticity with modern touches. With such incredible food and exceptional service, it is a place worth revisiting time and time again....