As Bicicletta celebrates its first year under the management of the Peppers Gallery Hotel in New Acton, it’s a perfect time to pay them a visit and see what’s new.
Stepping into the restaurant, you’ll notice that its updated interior seamlessly combines rustic and modern elements, with the long wooden tables and soft pendant lights creating a warm, cosy atmosphere. There’s a bit of fun thrown in too, with a feature wall that’s splashed with Italian-inspired graphics and placemats that show off Bicicletta’s iconic bicycle logo.
Follow your nose around to the back courtyard and you’ll find Bicicletta’s new pizza window. It serves up hot slices of pizza and paninis from 12-3pm on weekdays, providing a quick and affordable lunch option for nearby office workers.
The main menu retains a strong focus on authentic Italian cuisine, with a great selection of antipasti, pizzas, homemade pastas, meat and seafood secondi, and traditional desserts. Dishes can be ordered individually or easily shared amongst a group, and there are plenty of vegetarian and gluten free options as well.
To avoid getting food envy later on, start off with one of Bicicletta’s woodfired pizzas. There’s 12 classic flavours to choose from (sorry, Hawaiian isn’t one of them) – and for bonus points, try ordering them with a thick Italian accent and wild hand gestures. Go for the prosciutto e rucola and you’ll be rewarded with wavy ribbons of prosciutto and a scattering of peppery rocket, on top of a perfect crust that’s slightly crispy on the bottom and puffed up around the edges.
The fettuccini with wild boar ragu is a hearty, homely dish that you’ll want to curl up in front of a crackling fireplace with. The homemade fettuccini has a beautiful springy texture that only comes from freshly made pasta, and the tender chunks of wild boar are soft and juicy.
Italians love a piece of well cooked lamb as much as we Aussies do, and the lamb cutlets with blue lentils will whisk you away to Italy’s countryside. The dish looks deceptively simple, but there’s a complexity in the flavours and textures that will have you coming back for more.
For something a bit richer, the braised duck maryland with plum sauce is sure to catch your eye. The dark, crispy skin of the duck is bursting with flavour, while the meat underneath is so soft you can break it apart with a fork – leaving your other hand free to text your BFF about just how good it is.
A good Italian meal always ends with a classic dessert (and a sip of liqueur), and the vanilla panna cotta fits the bill perfectly. The gentle vanilla fragrance is paired well with zesty orange flavours to provide a clean and sophisticated end to the meal.
Bicicletta continues to serve up honest Italian cuisine, and provides a quality dining option in the New Acton precinct with a relaxed and lively atmosphere. Don’t forget that the Library Bar is conveniently located right outside in the Peppers foyer, making it a great spot to enjoy an aperitif or a post-dinner cocktail (or two).
