Rialto's

Enhance the Romance

Nestled in Subiaco's bustling Hay Street is Rialto's - a dining experience which fuses the idea of a modern, cosmopolitan restaurant with your local Italian café.

Owner Albasio la Pegna has put the spice back into Rialto's, and poured his heart into making it more casual, without losing its stylish atmosphere. He has done a fine job.

Rialto's is a sexy restaurant, from the soft lighting to the "let me romance you" music. Have a drink at the bar before you dine, or chose a table near the front and watch the happenings of Subiaco while enjoying a glass of Otuwhero Estate's Savignon Blanc, as Scott and I did.

The menu has been revamped and includes traditional Italian dishes with a contemporary flare.

For a light entrée I highly recommend the Antipasto - grilled vegetables with fresh bocconcini cheese, olives and subtle herbs. You will be seduced with the aroma of freshly grilled vegetables, and the delicate taste will leave you wanting more! Our Otuwhero Estate wine was a great match, as it slightly enhanced the herbs and spices without overpowering the taste of the vegetables.

Next up was Rialto's signature dish and my personal favourite - the Capellini. Fresh from the ocean Blue Manna crab meat is mixed with ever-so-thin angel hair pasta in this dish, which could easily be a winter or summer meal. A slight suggestion of chilli lifts the taste of the crab and again, the Otuwhero Estate's Savignon Blanc was perfect.

For something a little meatier but not too heavy, try the Milanese - veal eye cutlet in a parmesan bread crust with seasonal baby vegetables. Tender as ever, a lot of work is put into the careful preparation of this dish. Swapping wines, we were given the Terre Di Ginestra Nero d'Avola, which Scott loved, exclaiming "this is how a red wine should be!"

Thanks to the fresh ingredients and top quality products, the dishes at Rialto's aren't overpowering or too heavy, which means you don't feel tired like you sometimes can after Italian food.

Now it was time for my favourite part of any meal - dessert! When you visit Rialto's, you absolutely must order a Cioccolation - a delicious fusion of Pistachio ice-cream and warm chocolate pudding which, when you break through the crisp outer layer, is oozing with warm, soft chocolate. One word - heavenly. The sexiness of Rialto's is amplified in this unique treat - as Albasio told me, in Italy they say "in the bedroom and in the kitchen, you can do whatever you want!"

As the dinner crowd floated in, I noticed the eclectic diners, from business meetings to friends catching up, older couples to young lovers on romantic dates. This is exactly what Albasio has been working towards - making Rialto's feel like a restaurant for anyone, not just socialites and rich business folk.

With its funky mix of sophisticated furniture and rich red walls, zebra print and a bar to die for, Rialto's has come a long way, and is a fine restaurant with a lot to offer to its customers. The next time you're in Subiaco, be romanced and head to Rialto's!

by Tiffany Wertheimer