Il Baretto

Lets start with the Caprese salad, straightforward ingredients and simple assembly. Disappointing the way it was plated up. Arriving on the table, the bocconcini, tomato wedges and tiny strips of basil leaves were randomly scattered of the plate, not even enough basil to cater for the 4 servings or dressing. I have ordered this salad and made it many times, each bocconcini horizontal segment is topped with a sliced tomato and basil leave/s on top then drizzled with olive oil and vinegar. This is how it should be presented to the diner as an assembled portion, not this messy affair of forking each item to your entree plate. The way food looks plated up is what arouses and makes you want to taste it.  Was told the duck Ragu Parpadelle is their signature dish. I was disappointed with dish before I even tasted it. The very sight of the smooth glossy light brown sauce drowning the pasta made me doubt it was a real Ragu. A Ragu is a meat-based sauce that includes... read more

Came on Thursday for lunch. Really friendly service waitress was attentive, but did not hover. The food was served in time. The Porcini risotto was fine, but nothing extraordinary to Bland.

Went there some time ago. Had the Carpaccio, the Ragu and Panna Cotta. Carpaccio was nice and light. Papadelle was neat all dente (what you want in pasta), but not much duck in the Ragu. The Panna Cotta with the chocolate syrup was probably the best, even if the syrup made a bit on the sweet side. Overall, I enjoyed my evening there, and since most likely not everything from the pasta should be made fresh, which should be recommended.

Il Baretto is an unpretentious and cozy Italian family restaurant at Bourke Street. I ordered the Bruschetta Al Pomodoro and pork-chede pasta. The bruschetta was too roasted and dry and heavy tasted. The pork Cheek-Pasta was fine, but nothing special.

Brilliant place for family meals. Very friendly staff. Great fresh food with authentic aromas. No very extensive menu, but a good menu

Lets start with the Caprese salad, straightforward ingredients and simple assembly. Disappointing the way it was plated up. Arriving on the table, the bocconcini, tomato wedges and tiny strips of basil leaves were randomly scattered of the plate, not even enough basil to cater for the 4 servings or dressing. I have ordered this salad and made it many times, each bocconcini horizontal segment is topped with a sliced tomato and basil leave/s on top then drizzled with olive oil and vinegar. This is how it should be presented to the diner as an assembled portion, not this messy affair of forking each item to your entree plate. The way food looks plated up is what arouses and makes you want to taste it.  Was told the duck Ragu Parpadelle is their signature dish. I was disappointed with dish before I even tasted it. The very sight of the smooth glossy light brown sauce drowning the pasta made me doubt it was a real Ragu. A Ragu is a meat-based sauce that includes vegetables, etc. that binds the meat and pasta. This was a thickened salty stock with no evidence in taste or duck meat was used in its preparation. As to the pieces of “pulled” duck meat in the dish, it was dry and tough. I think they added the precooked duck at the end of assemblage.   I note many other Zomato members were critical with the duck Ragu Parpadelle in recent times but positive a few years ago. Google Duck Ragu Parpadelle and see what it looks like, certainly not swimming in a sauce. An Italian relative on mine who is a highly respected commercial hospitality consultant has dined at ll Baretto. I felt vindicated about experience after telling him about my disappointment at a family function next day. He paraphrased my experience as he had also ordered the same menu items. If fact he was told the reason the Caprese salad is served disorganised is how peasants have it Italy, well sorry we are not peasants.   We both concurred the reason this restaurant is so busy is more likely to due the urban hipsters (peasants) who have no real sense of good Italian food. This is confirmed by the lack of any Mediterranean diners, a very overrated place. I have been harsh in my review but honest as it was a real let down. The cash only policy is strange and inconvenient.

Lets start with the Caprese salad, straightforward ingredients and simple assembly. Disappointing the way it was plated up. Arriving on the table, the bocconcini, tomato wedges and tiny strips of basil leaves were randomly scattered of the plate, not even enough basil to cater for the 4 servings or dressing. I have ordered this salad and made it many times, each bocconcini horizontal segment is topped with a sliced tomato and basil leave/s on top then drizzled with olive oil and vinegar. This is how it should be presented to the diner as an assembled portion, not this messy affair of forking each item to your entree plate. The way food looks plated up is what arouses and makes you want to taste it.  Was told the duck Ragu Parpadelle is their signature dish. I was disappointed with dish before I even tasted it. The very sight of the smooth glossy light brown sauce drowning the pasta made me doubt it was a real Ragu. A Ragu is a meat-based sauce that includes... read more