Try Authentic Italian Food With Your Furry Friend at This Stunning Waterside Restaurant

We recently wrote about Woolloomooloo’s newest fine dining restaurant, Il Pontile, and its glamorous Melbourne Cup event.

But did you know that this chic waterfront slice of la dolce vita is also the perfect place to bring your canine companions? In fact, Il Pontile is the only restaurant on the famed Finger Wharf that welcomes its guests hand-in-leash with their furry friends.

Read on for a closer look at what’s on offer at Il Pontile and why it’s a must-try this summer.

The Food

Il Pontile’s menu is the work of renowned chef Mario Percuoco, and takes a fanciful tour through the regional cuisines of Italy, with a touch of contemporary Australian influence.

Oysters and cured ocean trout — undeniably Sydney staples — occupy the top spots in the crudi lineup and are the quintessential opening acts to a languid lunch in the summer sun.

Alongside these dishes are the visually stunning kingfish peppered with a sea-burst of flying fish roe, and the jumbo scampi with zesty finger lime.

Next up is an impressive selection of antipasti that range from traditional delicacy to wholesale invention. These include Southern Italian favourites, octopus salad with celery and potato, or steamed mussels served with a splash of lemon and chilli oil.

These traditional plates contrast with the tantalising and inventive burrata-stuffed zucchini flowers, as well as the crisp and sweet watermelon topped with molasses and savoury goat’s cheese.

Watermelon with molasses and goat’s cheese

The primi offering is populated by a suite of pasta dishes that draw from both north and south in the old country as well as from the seas down under.

The Spaghettoni alla Nerano is a subtle and well-balanced modern classic from the Sorrento Peninsula, while the baked seafood linguini is an indulgent sharing option, perfect for those long, lazy summertime lunches with friends.

Thick spaghetti with zucchini and provolone

Of course, if you’re in it for the long haul, or you’ve settled in for a balmy evening on the water, a visit through the secondi is an absolute necessity. The pistachio-crusted tuna fillet and the gargantuan and fragrant Tuscan-style kilogram t-bone steak are strong finishers for this tantalising tour de force in Italian cuisine.

The Drinks

Absolutely not to be upstaged, the beverage menu is an equally impressive mix of tradition and innovation, featuring a host of mainstays in Italian wine, spirits and mixology interspersed with contemporary Australian quenchers.

I can think of no better way to kick off a sunny afternoon than with a Chinotto Alcolico, a cheeky nod to the Italian soft drink made with a trio of Amari and a splash of cola.

Of course, if you’re in the mood for something a little more refined, the wine list takes an impressive tour through the regions of Italy, featuring varietals like the volcanically-grown Sicilian nerello mascalese rosé, or the renowned northern Italian Barolo, full-bodied and complex, pairing perfectly with the heartier main dishes.

The Venue

Il Pontile is beautifully situated at the entrance to the Finger Wharf in Woolloomooloo and overlooks the sparkling waters of Elizabeth Bay. Drenched in sun and caressed by cool harbour breezes, Il Pontile is a dreamy daytime destination that welcomes its guests and their faithful canine companions.

By evening, Il Pontile captures the full charm and vibrancy of waterfront dining, with alfresco seating as well as a spacious, sleek and warmly appointed interior.

A resident jazz band will also be playing every Wednesday and Saturday evening through summer, elevating those balmy nights to the next level with unmatched ambience and style.

So whether you’re looking to cool off with some fresh seafood after a long walk with your four-legged friend, or you’re looking to take the whole family — Fido included — out for a lush evening by the water, be sure to check out Il Pontile.

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