Amore Italian Cibo at Noosa Waterfront Restaurant & Bar
Everyone loves Italian food especially those sun-kissed flavours perfected by Andrea Ravezzani, enthuses Helen Flanagan.
Isn’t the well-practiced art form of a long lunch or dinner what life is all about? Is there anything finer than a waterfront table, nudging the Noosa River, admiring the Moreton Bay figs as the odd gondola drifts past, enjoying classic Italian dishes punctuated with modern panache, or maybe a caviar experience with Champagne, and always genuine hospitality or as the Italians say ‘la vera cucina’ – the real kitchen.
All this and so much more at the proudly Italian Noosa Waterfront Restaurant & Bar, tucked well away from the hubbub of Hastings Street and a big hit with food-lovers and urban sophisticates from around the world.
Supremely passionate executive chef and owner is Andrea Ravezzani who was born in the northern Italian city of Milan, renowned for fashion, design, art and exquisite cuisine, all seriously acknowledged worldwide.
Growing up eating classic dishes such as Risotto alla Milanese, Osso Buco and a wide variety of pastas, pastries and desserts, ignited his passion for food and becoming a chef.
Before coming to Australia, the suave Italian was a chef for the Princess Cruise Company and one particular voyage Andrea ‘renamed’ the ship “Love Boat”.
He had met Kerri, a Noosa local who was also working onboard and as they say, from that point forward it was plain sailing based on love, food and wine.
After stints at Lindoni’s, Locale and berardo’s understanding the local scene, he moved to the Noosa Waterfront as manager and executive chef, where he saw the restaurant’s enormous potential. He bought the business in 2015.
At its very heart, the menu is inspired by his heritage, changing seasonally and honouring fresh and locally sourced ingredients wherever possible, from Fraser Isle spanner crabs to Noosa Reds.
“Much of what we don’t purchase, is picked fresh from the kitchen garden,” explains Andrea. “The tantalising modern Italian fare is matched with award-winning wines from Australia and imported from Italy of course, to complete a memorable dining experience.
“A favourite signature dish is classic Tuscan Cacciucco – a seafood medley simmered in a rich tomato and white wine broth, served with garlic crostini for a perfect balance of flavours, textures and a delightful journey to the Mediterranean coast in every bite.”
Others include Spaghetti with fresh Western Australian lobster; a whole line-caught southern Great Barrier Reef fish; and to share, Cotoletta alla Milanese – a 400g veal cutlet, grissini crumbed, pan-fried in butter and herbs.
Caviar aficionados will salivate with famous Beluga served with fresh blini, chive cream cheese and shallots; similarly fanciers of Appellation Sydney rock oysters; fritto misto with softshell crab, prawn, calamari, whitebait and vegetables lightly dusted in semolina; cannoli stuffed with king salmon tartare, creme fraiche and avocado mousse; taggiasche olive sponge with toasted almonds and parsley oil; or the choice of two carpaccio dishes, one with Fremantle octopus and the other with Wagyu beef.
Pasta is house made as is the gnocchi; desserts range from milk chocolate mousse with salted caramel, vanilla crème fraiche gelato and chocolate dacquoise; classic tiramisu, coffee bean gelato and Venezuelan chocolate; and macadamia ganache with yogurt sorbet, local honey and macadamia granola.
On the award-winning wine list look beyond the bounty from Italy on the list to some top Aussie names, some familiar, some not; while the odd Burgundian and New Zealander also feature. Vegan and organic wines are a hand-selected highlight.
If you cannot decide what to eat and drink, the six-course tasting menu with matched wines will have your taste buds dancing on your palate.
When it comes to Noosa Waterfront’s suitability for bodacious birthday bashes and elegant weddings “feedback from organisers and guests say it is not just a perfect space, but an exceptional one,” comments proud Kerri Ravezzani.
“Our location is truly extraordinary, and it has a lot to offer in terms of creating memorable experiences. From stunning themed decor for corporate parties to unique setups for milestone celebrations, we cater to everyone’s bright ideas and wishes.”
Other excellent attributes of the Noosa Waterfront include takeaway for dinner from 5pm Wednesday to Sunday plus lunch on Friday to Saturday. Summer Aperitivos happens from 15 December to 15 January from 3pm to 6pm, with a snack menu and Italian traditional apertivi of Aperol Spritz or Italian gin. Magnifico!
BRAVO! BRAVO!
The Noosa Waterfront Restaurant & Bar has been visited on numerous occasions by reviewers who have given significant plaudits:
AUSTRALIAN GOOD FOOD GUIDE
Awarded chef hat – 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023
DELICIOUS MAGAZINE
QLD Top 100 – #20 in 2017, #27 in 2018, # 2019
QLD Top 10 Italian, 2018, 2019
GOOD FOOD GUIDE
Awarded One Chef’s Hat 2017, 2018
RESTAURANT AND CATERING AWARDS
Best Italian Restaurant in Queensland – 2015
GOURMET TRAVELLER
Restaurant Guide 2017– Two Star
Top 300 Restaurants in Australia -2018
Top 10 Regional – 2018, 2019
GOURMET TRAVELLER WINE
Wine List of the Year 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019, 2021, 2022 – 3 Goblets
WORLD’S WINE LIST OF THE YEAR AWARDS
1 Star – 2016,
FINANCIAL REVIEW AUSTRALIA
In Top 500 restaurants in Australia – 2017 & 2018
TRIP ADVISOR
Certificate of Excellence – 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022
