Candelori’s Ristorante & Bar

Candelori’s Ristorante & Bar

Everything’s bigger out West. Candelori’s, situated in an unassuming strip of shops in Smithfield, is no exception. Pushing open the enormous door, you enter a vast, 270-seater space that employs polished concrete pillar panels and floors to give a monumental feel that summons Utzon. The menu and wine list are equally big. You’re offered five bruschette; and four carpaccio; each under their own menu sub-header. Beef Carpaccio ($24) is classic: wafer thin sirloin, snap-fried capers, rocket, lemon juice, olive oil, shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano. It’s eclipsed only when a skillet of the plumpest Baked Figs ($24) arrive, wrapped in prosciutto and oozing Gorgonzola.  They’re lewdly perfect, particularly with wine. A soft 2013 Il Conte ‘Navicchio Offida’ Pecorino DOCG ($14/glass) comes highly recommended by the fast-moving, black-clad floor team, led by Christian Candelori. His dad is out the back making fresh pasta; on a Sunday. Ergo it’s a requirement; be it rustic, ribbon-cut egg Pappardelle ($28) with rich, chunky osso buco ragu, or a paper-wrapped package of Squid Ink Tagliolini ($36) with scampi, scallops and the best-cooked baby calamari I’ve ever had. Sitting back with a chilled glass of the on-tap, nutty Menabrea ($9), I feel mighty satisfied. Be assured whatever desserts like Cassata Russolini ($18) lack in finesse, they make up for in largesse. Stuff’s bigger out here.

Candelori’s Ristorante & Bar
685 The Horsley Drive, Smithfield
Ph: (02) 9729 1155 candeloris.com.au
Italian $$$$

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REVIEW: Karen’s Diner Top Ryde

REVIEW: Karen’s Diner Top Ryde

I am not going to lie, walking into Karen’s Diner, which is reputed to have the worst customer service in the city, can be nerve-wracking. After several minutes of nervous pacing and scrolling through the reservation confirmation with clammy hands, a Karen turned to serve me. Rolling eyes and sass made up most of her demeanour, which finally put me at ease. As I looked around, I realised I was not the only nervous one in the diner. Many of  customers were similarly hesitant to order their food, all of whom were understandably unwilling to invoke the Karens’ wrath but equally keen to experience what this place was all about.

An evening at Karen’s Diner was a fun experience indeed. From aggressive pushes of food on the table to constant f-bombs and booing at customers, Karen’s Diner was a vibe.

The diner decorations were also quite beautiful. Seated at a high-top table with a table full of has-beens next to a comic plastered wall we watched the customers heading out to play the Wheel of Misfortune. Misfortunes that could land you anywhere between model walks to the not-so-fun spicy shots.

I ate a meal called the “Royale Karen” alongside sips of a cocktail called the “Sour Karen” – listening to Good Golly Miss Molly playing overhead. The food was good, but it could have been better.

Ironically, Karen’s Diner was not the worst customer service that I have experienced. From existing Diner videos on YouTube, I was expecting much worse. The Diner has started out well, but it could do much better with more realistic Karens. Overall, it was an enthralling and hilarious experience.

KAREN’S DINER TOP RYDE is a 3 month pop-up located at the Top Ryde Shopping Centre. The pop-up experience ends on July 22. For Bookings head to: www.bemorekaren.com/ryde

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