| The walls are layered with picture frames, tacked photographs, copper bas-relief portraits, oil paintings, Italian mementos and other ephemera. The scarcely visible cherry brick is offset by wood panelling, elegant white tablecloths and even less visible white walls. The air is heavy with garlic, onion, saffron, tomatoes, the hot smell of draining pasta and the wash of human conversation as it drifts languidly through the wooden doors to Rathdowne Street, pushed by the heat from the open fireplace, enticing passers-by. The tables are well-spaced, but La Contadina always looks like a family get-together from the street, alive with people. The food is as delicately laced with Italian flavour as the restaurant space - the Mico family knows what they are doing. The wine list is comprehensive, covering every possible situation effortlessly, from McWilliams and Penfolds to Chianti - all designed to match the menu.
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