Butterflied Blue Mackerel. Photo: Wendy Johnson
Sydney Rock Oysters, sourced from Merimbula. Photo: Wendy Johnson
Line-caught tuna from Ulladulla. Photo: Wendy Johnson
Wood-fired molasses sourdough. Photo: Wendy Johnson
The ravioli dish. Photo: Wendy Johnson
Milk-braised, free-range pork belly. Photo: Wendy Johnson
Sisters under the stars. While Lunetta and Lunetta Trattoria, on top of Red Hill, are in the same orbit they promise different but complementary dining experiences – one more formal and one casual, writes dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON.
Having thoroughly enjoyed Lunetta Trattoria on more than one occasion, we headed up the hill to Lunetta for a leisurely lunch. The stunning fit out is calm, cool and collected. The views are spectacular. The menu features intriguing dishes, and we were ready to explore.
Our adventure began with exquisite Sydney Rock Oysters, sourced from Merimbula, and served with a superbly executed and refreshing white chardonnay and pepper berry mignonette (six for $42).
Quality of produce is key for Lunetta, and the line-caught tuna from Ulladulla was a showstopper. Thinly sliced and raw it was fabulous with wedges of local fig, slices of juicy citrus pieces, burnt honey and whole hazelnuts for texture ($36).
The wood-fired molasses sourdough was a massive serve ($8 each). Light and fluffy inside, it was superwood-fired molasses sourdough sticky with molasses outside. The whipped Pepe butter was gorgeous, but the stickiness of the bread crust was too fiddly to deal with for many of our group.
Lunetta is accommodating and happily adjusted the ravioli dish from five pieces ($39) to six for our number of guests ($47). We loved the fermented chilli and ricotta created with buffalo mozzarella.
Service was caring but almost overly attentive, and it wasn’t long before our dishes began to emerge from the kitchen in quick succession. We asked for a slower momentum, not wanting to feel rushed.
Once more, Lunetta happily accommodated. I was surprised some plates were cleared before everyone at the table had finished. This created a sense of anxiousness.
The butterflied Blue Mackerel – line caught the traditional way in Ulladulla – sadly had a few bones intact ($60). The fish arrived on a punchy broccolini salsa verde.
Our milk-braised, free-range pork belly ($52) featured celeriac and sage for added earthiness. The pork hailed from award-winning Borrowdale, Queensland, which focuses on the highest standards of ethical production.
Desserts were memorable and beautifully presented, including the lemon tart, with a nice thin base, creamy texture, and the right amount of pucker power ($24).
As a large group, we were able to share a fair few dishes but found many overly dressed or coated, a bit overwhelming after a while. This included heavily coated potatoes ($18). Perhaps this was an issue with our selection. Next time I would ask the staff for their views.
Lunetta’s wine list is impressive (extensive and some might say expensive). The 2022 Tornatore Etna Bianco was $120 a bottle, and the 2021 Henschke Keyneton Euphonium Shiraz $32 for a 150 ml glass.
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