Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Big Italy at Leichhardt

Also as part of the Sydney Italian festival, we had the privilege of attending several other events. The first of which was the Flavours of Italy Seminar, held at Casa Italia in Leichhardt. A range of travel agents presented their tours to Italy and brought back many memories of our times there.

After the seminar, we browsed around the Italian Forum, which was really dead and half the shops were either closed or closing down, apparently the rent is horrendous there. The next stop was the extremely busy Norton Plaza, where we shoved along with the crowd at Norton Street Grocer.

After that exercise, we decided to get some freshly made gelato (even though it was freezing cold) at the famous glace ice creams & sorbets. The Quince and rose was a seasonal flavour but was absolutely wonderful, the rose really hits you but offsets the tartness of the quince nicely. The coconut sorbet was pure heaven. Not too sweet and with real coconut taste. Best of all, it wasn’t that expensive, $3.80 gets you a double scoop on good waffle cone.

Last but not least has been our pasta making classes at Studio De Luca. On our first class, we learned how to make Malloreddos, a Sardinian ear-shaped pasta, and Ravioli Galluresi, filled with orange scented ricotta, on our second. Each lesson was personally taught by Gavina De Luca, and included a demo, as well as getting our hands dirty to try it ourselves. The best part of the experience though, is of course in the eating! And true to Italian style, we sat at a big table, joined by the De Luca children, family and friends, drinking red wine and chinotto, while talking about all things Italy. Luigi, the gelato maker, also promised to let us try some of his banana gelato when he makes it in season. Can’t wait!

Info
glace ice creams & sorbets
27 Marion St
Leichhardt
NSW 2040
Phone (02) 9569 3444
Website

Studio De Luca
106 Norton Street
Leichhardt
NSW 2040
Phone (02) 9564 1127
Website

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