Club Italia Sporting Club Bistro

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Leave the flip-flops/thongs at home. The first thing you will see when you enter is a sign with the opening times and the dress code. The code is not very strict - just don't wear beach wear. Second is the signing in table. For non-members, you have to fill in the slip with your personal details. Have this safely tucked away in your pocket while you're on the premises.

Now from this point there are 3 options: turn right into the gaming lounge, turn into the first left into the bistro or left of the bistro entrance to the restrooms. There are also function rooms and sporting facilities located in other parts of the building. Whatever you choose, turn into the first left from the sign in table.

This opens up into a bar and seating. The bistro is up on a mid-level about halfway into the room. About a quarter is the counter encompassing the left wall; connected to the hidden kitchen. The middle is the dining area filled with mahogany-coloured wooden tables with the back wall displaying a special's board and a mounted television. On the right side, there is a small playground which is particularly suited to younger children; who do not have the patience for long lunches/dinners.

Every time I come, I like to observe the other diners. The menu is important to read through but don't forget the special's board and your fellow (unknown) diners. The menu offers a range of pastas, pizzas and seafood choices. It caters for families with children and senior sections. Its easy to become engrossed in the menu only to find yourself in a 'I want to have what they're having' moment where you have to rudely point at a stranger's food.

However its too late! Your food is being served. So you spend the next 10-15 minutes trying to figure out what your neighbouring diners are having using clues from the menu and special's board. Often you're tempted to say, 'I should have gotten x from the special's board' before someone else does but double check. You can't claim victory when someone else quickly interjects with the correct dish from the menu. The devil is in the details and asking the waiter is swiftly admitting defeat.



Once you've played, its time to give your food the attention it rightfully deserves. I recommend getting an appetizer as you don't want your food to grow cold whilst in the spirit of the game. The mains are very filling and well proportioned, so don't go overboard with the appetisers. One is enough, such as the buttery and crunchy garlic bread.



The pizza is juicy and filling. Expect a soft crust and base. The Hawaiian features sweet pineapple and ham, that has flavour and isn't overwhelmingly salty.



The fish is simply baked or grilled. Eating seafood when out is a conundrum. The horror of a fishy smell or uncooked part is enough to make you put eating fish into a dichotomy. If its in fish and chips or sushi then yes, if not then no. The list of dishes in the dichotomy is dependent on individual experiences. The fish is simply nicely cooked. If you want to surprise anyone, this is the go to dish. I never tire of watching the change in people's expressions. The stern face when the fish goes in their mouth turns to one of confusion then of amazement. This is usually followed by something along the lines of, 'this is actually not bad'.



The steak is as it should be: cuttable but not tough, soft with a beefy flavour not tasteless, with fat that accentuates the flavour not fatless and sinewy. It took me years to appreciate the fat on a steak and to learn to savour it with the steak. It could be the combination of the textures or the oil that is released at the point of cooking/savouring that really makes the steak. The chips are also crunchy, thick and hot.



The offers a comfortable setting for dinner out with family or friends. The menu contains mainly staples that are done well. Take comfort in this fact and enjoy.

**
Experience Summary:

Service – 5 stars; friendly and deal with issues quickly

Atmosphere – 5 stars; family orientated, and relaxed

Food – 4 stars; well cooked

Uniqueness factor – well cooked food all round and an indoor playground**

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