Do you have a hot date and want to take your special someone to a place that's intimate, quiet and where you can be assured of good service, excellent food and something a little different? Or perhaps you have a work do or a group of friends you want to take out. Or maybe its a special family get together you need to arrange?
You would be wise to consider Salina Restaurant, Belmont. I have been a patron at this modern Italian and Gourmet Pizza restaurant for as long as I can remember when it used to be further south along the highway. The move more towards Belmont, which is right on the highway with minimal parking out front, might have thrown a few people initially, but I would say this restaurant is at its best in the new shopfront location across from the Fire Station. Do not be fooled by its small exterior, this restaurant has good capacity with indoor and outdoor dining on offer.
Don't be fooled by the unassuming frontage. This restaurant is a knockout.
In summer, the atmosphere out the back is guaranteed to get you relaxed and enjoying yourself. However in the cooler months, the appeal is the superb winter menu which is a gastronomic delight. If you go during winter, you simply have to try the Slow Cooked Pork Belly with potato mash, red cabbage and peas. For me, that is a title that doesn't entice (perhaps its the idea of cabbage), but I am overjoyed that I fought my initial instincts and ordered it last time I was in. This is literally one of the best meals I think I have ever eaten in a restaurant. The pork is so tender it can be almost cut with the fork and I will never feel the same about cabbage again.
My companion tried one of the specials which was Linguine Boscaiola (with Double Smoked ham and mushroom cream sauce). I normally balk at pasta dishes in restaurants due to the fact that you can fare quite well on them at home. However I was proven wrong once again with this menu choice. Wonderful flavours abounded.
The great thing about Salina Restaurant is that its menu can adapt to various budget needs. They provide a number of cheaper pizza and pasta dishes, with the option of sharing the former. Small eaters could also try the entree size as a main, which justifies dessert right? And perhaps another entree even?
The restaurant is licenced but you can BYO wine. I recommend you try the Italian beer or an Italian wine from the wine list.
Lastly, I must mention the desserts which are all made on the premises and it shows. My husband and I always share the gelato which usually comes with 3 flavours. Last time we went it was strawberry, mango and lime with florentine biscuits. Yes it was a cold dessert and it was freezing outside, but the homemade gelato never disappoints. Desserts sit around the $12.90 range.
Pizzas range from $8.50 to $23.90. Pastas are $15.90 to $23.90 and mains are around the low $30s and entrees are around the $18 mark.
