This is the third or the fourth time I dined at L'Incontro at North Sydney, and probably the most memorable because of the choices of dishes we made.
The location is convenient for us North Shore girls and the interior offered great ambience. The multiple dining rooms means more privacy and cosiness for the patrons as well as a feeling of individual service and personal attention. The waiters are attentive and friendly, but not in your face at all. The man who I presume is the owner is one of those passionate, cheerful Italians, his presence added to the atmosphere and dining experience.
Some may consider the pricing a bit hard to swallow but considering the service and the quality of the food, $50 for a main and dessert bought me a bloody good night. It was an evening of decadent, devine dining experience. I did not take photos of the main courses because we dug right into them the moment they were brought to us. No pretentious, bite-sized portions sculpted and garnished into a heap of food, presented on a large and empty plate, but just food prepared at its best and freshest.
The grilled scampi on rocket salad was superb, fresh scampi simply grilled and seasoned with salt and pepper and drizzled with freshly squeezed lemon juice - the best way to prepare and consume fresh seafood. Though 3 scampies would not have made a substantial meal for a hungry diner. The blue swimmer crab and angel hair pasta flavoured with light seafood and cherry-tomato dressing had a beautifully balanced flavour, not a heavy and rich tomato based marinara sauce. I personally had the duck with almond and orange sauce which would be easier to manage at the expense of the texture), and, unlike another 'duck experience' - a duck breast dish smothered in a dessert-sweet fig sauce - this had the aromas of orange and only a hint of the sweetness which allowed the flavour of the duck to prevail. None of us asked for salt and pepper shakers. It was absolutely not necessary.
Desserts - the main focus of my blog so far - what a highlight. We went for the zabaglione, which is prepared on the spot. I thought zabaglione is a smooth rich custard with a hint of sweet marsala, but it turned out to be fluffy, fruity, slightly tangy and quite alcoholic... later found out that the cook shoved in a dash of congac.... a nice touch but it wasn't for the palate of my non-alcoholic dining buddy. And the other dessert - old favourite, creme brulee, came with a dish of berry in syrup and an almond biscotti, beautifully presente, smooth and rich and totally enjoyable. And the owner even threw in a shot of their home-made limoncello liquore..... m-m-licious. I will return to L'Incontro........
