A Tavola Bondi

"A Tavola!” is the Italian call to the table that punctuated the childhood of chef-owner, Eugenio Maiale. He opened this second incarnation in the summer of 2014, to complement the Darlinghurst original.

Maiale learned to make pasta from his mother. This legacy can be seen each afternoon through the seaside cucina’s windows. Stroll by and you’ll spy fresh sheets being rolled out on the communal marble table that stretches the length of the dining room. Later, they’ll be cooked to order.

Regulars can expect an unchanging Abruzzese-style menu of six starters, three entrees, three pastas and three salads. Head chef Ethan Phan rotates the specials board weekly with seasonality and seafood in mind.

Must-try dishes include dressed crab with white polenta and preserved lemon; and pappardelle with Wagyu shin and finely grated horseradish. To finish, don’t pass up on the signature cremino al cioccolato; a layered chocolate, hazelnut, Italian meringue and salted caramel ice cream cup.

The exclusively Italian wine list is refreshed on a monthly basis by sommelier Stefania Angelino, who works closely with suppliers and boutique vineyards from Piedmont to Sardinia.