by Buster the Bruncher
We disembark ferry Quokka 1, pondering what’s ahead after Rottnest Island’s modernising re-make.
Buster was invited with a bunch of Baby Boomers to celebrate a milestone birthday (Shh, a 70th).
The renamed eatery, Isola, facing out over tranquil Thompson’s Bay, fully deserves its pride-of-place on this getaway idyll.
Isola Bar e Cibo, to give it it’s full name that nobody uses, is “a transformed beachside bar that brings a taste of Italy to the island.”
“Fantastico!”
That’s what we, a gang of seasoned septuagenarians, agreed unanimously.
Undeniably, this restaurant has put island cuisine and service in the world-class league.
If your guests are happy to pay the ferryman, host your next special event at quokka headquarters.
“Isola reflects the simplicity of island life, drinking and dining right on the beach, with the sophistication of an Italianate drinks list and achingly simple dishes built on quality WA produce,” says its expansive blurb.
Quality cuisine, of course, comes at a price but when it tastes as authentic and flavoursome as this, it’s a price worth paying.
Mind you, as honoured guests, we were told to leave the bill to our honourable hosts, which was very generous, considering the shared menu comes at $100-a-head.
Here’s a titillating taste of the Isola In Festa set-menu. (What’s your Italian like?).
Pane della casa focaccia, pan carasau; mortadella with La Delizia stracciatella, pesto, pistachio; prosciutto San Daniele.
Skull Island prawn (gamberoni wood-grilled whole with crayfish butter, capers and lemon) is the size of a small lobster.
Dusted calamari fritti, with semolina, herb aioli, Calabrian chilli salt and lemon was one of the most popular on our table. So was pasta del giorno, the pasta of the day.
How about grilled market fish, prince of orange potatoes with fennel and vermentino, pesto rosso and lemon?
An absolutely blow-away, tender dish of generous proportions was agnello arrosto roast lamb shoulder with miglio salad. It would have lamb-loving Tom Cruise jumping out of his seat!
Shared desert was torta di polenta al limone, Amalfi style lemon, almond and polenta cake.
Holidaymakers yearning for a stylish late brunch will relish Isola’s masterly-prepared choices of pasta, meat, vegetable, salad and WA seafood dishes.
Main menu, offerings include antipasti dishes, house-made focaccia ($10), calamari ($25) and Fremantle octopus ($29).
Mains include rigatoni ($34), spaghetti cacio e pepe ($34) and grilled fish (MP).
For two people, there’s slow-roasted lamb shoulder (a knockout dish at $85) and the top-of-the-price-list ($95 for two) Treeton farm, coal-cooked, T-bone.
Room for sweets? Tiramisu is house-made ($16), there’s warm apple and almond cake with ice cream ($17) plus a grand cheese board (Italian and West Aussie) with fruit and honey ($32).
5 Spoons
Colebatch Ave
Open (except Tuesdays) 11.30am to 3pm and 5.30pm to 8.30pm
https://isolabarecibo.com.au, Email: ciao@isolarottnest.com.au
