The Holiday and Travel Magazine: Restaurant 317 for delicious Italian cuisine

Saturday, 3 September 2016

Restaurant 317 for delicious Italian cuisine

Restaurant 317

Usually on my visits to Sydney I just find somewhere to eat in the CBD area around Town Hall or Circular Quay. However, on my most recent visit, I discovered an amazing restaurant in "Eat Street", the name given to the collection of restaurants and cafes on Church Street Parramatta's dining precinct, near the Parramatta River.

Restaurant 317 has grown from one original single shopfront established 10 years ago, and now extends into the adjoining historic Oyster Laneway and the next shop. It also flows out onto the footpath.

Restaurant 317 creates delicious Italian cuisine with Mediterranean influences. It is good to know that they use only the freshest seasonal produce and ingredients. In the kitchen they have discovered the knack of combining traditional dishes with modern techniques.

I was impressed with the very extensive menu of Restaurant 317. It includes bread and starter pizzas, entrees, sizzling hot pots, pizzas, seafood, home-made pasta, salads, risotto, veal, chicken, grills, slow roasts and even burgers. I noted their platters for two, including mezze, antipasta and seafood which all looked mouthwatering.

It is a gluten free restaurant, with over 90% of its meals suitable for those with coeliac disease or those who avoid eating gluten for health reasons.

slow roasted veal osso buco

On our recent visit to Restaurant 317 we were seated in the lovely covered footpath dining area warmed by the gas flame heaters. Mt wife chose the slow roasted veal osso buco finished with sweet red wine and rosemary jus. It was very tender and mouth watering and was served with potato mash and broccolini.

I chose the spinach and ricotta ravioli napoletana with a traditional Italian sauce made with fresh Roma tomatoes, that was cooked using their special homemade recipe. I liked the large squares of pasta with plentiful fillings and the delicious sauce.

Having a sweet tooth my mouth drooled over the extensive dessert menu at Restaurant 317. It was hard to make a choice - they all looked so good. If the main course was not so filling I would have chosen several desserts to eat. However, common sense prevailed and I only chose one. The strawberry crepes I chose were delectable. They were rolled and stood like cones on the plate. These were filled with fresh strawberries, whipped cream and vanilla bean gelato and were topped with strawberry coulis.

delicious desserts

My wife chose the chocolate lava mudcake that was served with vanilla bean gelato and cream. This was exquisite. I know, because I pinched some of it from her plate.

Restaurant 317 features a hand-selected wine and innovative cocktail menu. They also offer a wide variety of beers, spirits and non-alcoholic drink options. On our visit I enjoyed my cappuccino. There are two qualities that make a good cappuccino - the taste and the appearance. I liked the strong coffee flavour and its smooth creaminess and the artwork on the chocolate sprinkled crema.

I was impressed with the team of waiters. It was a very busy night for Restaurant 317, but the staff took the time to chat and were very helpful with their menu suggestions. They were both friendly and professional.

There is a special kids menu, and each Sunday lunch time is Family Sunday where on offer is complimentary kids face painting, balloon animals as well as competitions and giveaways from 12pm-4pm.

my cappuccino

Every Tuesday night Restaurant 317 offers a stellar lineup of musicians performing from 6pm-9pm, offering free live entertainment in the Melbourne style laneway and streamed throughout the restaurant. The finest musicians perform a range of soul, funk, indie, folk and rock sets each week for the listening pleasure of the diners.

The Biz Lunch Express Menu is offered from 11.30am – 4pm every Monday to Friday. Here they offer a fantastic and affordable lunch menu featuring delicious, healthy and substantial meal options quickly. Restaurant 317 caters for functions with various menus for groups of people.

Restaurant 317 is one of those rare restaurants that I will definitely return to and sample more of the amazing menu. I would also go as far as recommending Restaurant 317 to my friends and relatives for their dining enjoyment.