Like an oasis in the desert, a charming Italian trattoria is the last thing you expect to find in the quiet backstreets of residential Alexandria, and that’s why it’s worth seeking out Pino’s Vino e Cucina. The antipasto here ranges from simple olives, right through to housemade chicken liver pate. Or try the guazzetto di cozze – a rustic serve of mussels cooked in tomato and garlic. Add in a glass of crisp Tuscan Sangiovese rosé and you’ve got a tasty night out.
Antipasto plates may not always involve much cooking, but they have the potential to show off a chef’s ability for sourcing some of the best deli goods from across the world. They also demonstrate a knack for the age-old art of preserving, pickling and curing the best local produce around. Whether it’s neat folds of cold cut meats, wedges of moreish cheese or pots of sour pickled veggies you’re after, these are the top spots in Sydney to get your antipasto fix. Then, when it comes to getting the cheque, you can pay in confidence knowing these venues welcome American Express.