V Rating: V-ware
Where: Cnr Campbell Pde & Hall St, Bondi Beach
When: Mon - Sun: breakfast - dinner.
Tel: (02) 9365 4422
Price: Entree: $16 Main: $24.

Ravesi’s highlights one of the conundrums of the V rating system. It only has one vegetarian entree and main, and the entree is not vegan. Therefore, I’ve given it a V-ware. However, each of these dishes is exquisite and worth trying (at least) once. I’d even go so far as to say that Ravesi’s has the best food in Bondi - their vegetarian option was better than Icebergs or Sean’s Panorama.

The vegetarian entree is black genoa figs with pistachio crusted goats curd and olive. This is sublime. The figs are fresh and lightly heated to release their sweetness. The tartness and creamy texture of the goats cheese enhances the flavour of the figs, and is in turn set off by the pistachio crust and light use of olive.

I wasn’t overly excited by the description of the single vegetarian main, saffron tagliatelle with sugar snaps, cherry truss tomatoes, eggplant, oregano, olive and rocket pesto. I expected that the pesto might make the dish oily, and that the vegetables were uninspiring. I was wrong.

The pesto added a light hint of flavour to the tagliatelle, without being overpowering or oily. The vegetables were all deliciously cooked. The eggplant was cut into rough chunks with the skin left off. The flesh was very soft without being overly oily, and the crackling skin added structure and a smoky flavour. The cherry truss tomatoes have a lovely rich flavour, and the sugar snaps add freshness. Suffice to say, there were no leftovers.

Ravesi’s is pricey so you may prefer to take advantage of the early bird special which gives you a main and dessert for $20, or $25 if you also have a glass of wine. However, that means you don’t get the figs.

In addition to the delicious food, Ravesi’s has a prime location on Campbell Parade. The building dates back to 1914, before Bondi was the ultra popular destination it is today.

While the downstairs bar is often packed with beautiful people, the upstairs restaurant has a minimalist design and gorgeous wooden veranda that overlooks the water and Hall Street. Go there for the food and view. Pray they add another vegetarian main to lift them out of the V-ware doghouse.

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