A quiet suburban shopping strip in Dural is not where you’d expect to find a modern Italian restaurant, but Lombardo’s makes it work with contemporary industrial touches to their decor and friendly service.
We started off with their refreshing Chargrilled Octopus with Chorizo Salad, drizzled with parsley oil and served on a bed of cherry tomatoes fresh herbs including basil and parsley – the light flavours were balanced well with the flavour hits from the chorizo and the smokiness of the octopus, to get our tastebuds ready for the next dish.
Chargrilled Octopus with Chorizo Salad, $17.90
Next up, we tried their Seared Scallops which were succulent and wrapped in slivers of crispy pancetta, providing a salty hit to each of the morsels. The savoury notes were balanced out by buttery cauliflower and taleggio cream that the scallops were served with.
Seared Scallops with Pancetta, $20
For mains, we shared one of their newer additions to their menu – the Chinois Crispy Pork Belly. The dish took a while to come out (the kitchen must have been having a busy day) but it was worth the wait, with the crackling cooked to perfection and the soft pork belly underneath falling away. The Chinese style of the dish was brought out by the use of a light soy sauce and a side of Chinese greens and sweet potato mash, for something a bit different from the norm.
Chinois Crispy Pork Belly, $32
The quality of Lombardo’s food is unexpected considering its surrounds, but it also has a price tag to match. Overall, it’s a solid performer with stylish decor that makes it great for dates or even small family gatherings, for a touch of something special in the Hills area.
Excuse Me Waiter dined as a guest of Lombardo’s
Lombardo’s
3 Allen Way, Dural NSW 2158
Phone: (02) 9651 3708
