V Rating: VV
Where: 96-98 Corner Ramsay and Dalhousie Street, Haberfield
When: Mon - Sun day + night
Tel: (02) 9716 4444
Price: Entrees, Pasta, Risotto: $9.90 - $19.80, Pizza: $13.50 - $19.50

Dolcissimo is part of Haberfield’s ‘Little Italy’ quarter based around the intersection of Ramsay and Dalhousie streets. After a quick stroll to take in the local menus I began to fear that I’d entered a V-Ware zone - there were long lists of ‘carne’ and ‘pesce’ dishes but not a ‘verdura’ friendly one in sight.

Fortunately Dolcissimo offers some choice for vegetarians, which pushed it into the VV category. There are six vegetarian pizzas to choose from (though none are vegan) and four vegetarian pastas (three of which are vegan.) Despite the choice, Andy I went for the same option - penne alla norma (eggplant, tomato and ricotta sauce). I was tempted by the penne arrabiata, but the waiter instructed me not to have it because the chilli would be too hot! He did offer to serve it to me as napoli sauce ‘with a bit of chilli’ but by this point, slightly affronted and afraid, I decided to go with an old favourite.

In traditional Italian style, the alla norma comes with the ricotta served on top of the pasta and you swirl it in with your fork. This gives the sauce a soft and creamy texture. Combined with very soft squares of eggplant, the sauce virtually melts into your mouth. Tasty as the dish was, by the end of the meal it had become a little oily. The bruschetta we shared for entree was similarly a little oily, although the tomato was fresh and the flavour was strong.

Dolcissimo is situated in old terrace shop front with its three rooms squashed around and above a steep staircase. The floor is unpolished dark wood and the two main restaurants have a tasteful yet subdued decor. I first went to Dolcissimo on a Saturday evening when it was absolutely packed. Even on a Wednesday evening it was doing a good trade, giving it a bustling, warm feel.

A common criticism of Dolcissimo on Eatability seems to be that the service is poor or inattentive. I didn’t find that to be the case - within the first ten minutes we’d been visited four times by waiting staff and both the entree and mains came quickly. Perhaps this is different on Saturday nights whent the restaurant is very busy.

Dolcissimo also serves breakfast, lunch and what looked like a tasty range of gelato and cakes. While there isn’t an abundance of vegetarian options, there is some choice and it seems to be one of more vegetarian friendly options in the Little Italy area.

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