Mietta's Review
Blanco Catering took over here in 05 and chef Camillo Crugnale left to open Assaggio. Steve Blanco appointed Mark Ravesi (previously at Norwood's Martini Cafe) to replace him. Standards are being maintained at this important modern Italian establishment. Attached to the Italian Club it's a newish building with a modern Italian fit-out - big bar, strong colours (deep red and light green) and stained timber. Service is fine and the Italian food good. Some Italian wines but many from local winemakers with an Italian connection, are found on the well chosen list. For those who need it an ashtray is fixed to the lampost outside.

Other published opinions

The Adelaide Food Guide 2010 Score: ** "Enoteca is finding a new groove under chef Brent Kemble-Beech (ex The Manse), whose focus is on a contemporary interpretation of Italian cooking, one that blurs into French and Spanish genres"

Gourmet Traveller 2010 Australian Restaurant Guide Score: * "The restaurant attached to Adelaide's Italian Centre continues to evolve with new talent in the kitchen. Chef Brent Kemble-Beech is early in his tenure, but his preference for a contemporary cooking style, characterised by multiple flavours and artistic plating, is already clear"

Adelaide Advertiser Simon Wilkinson, 03-06-2009 Score: 16/20 "A new direction for Enoteca, with an assured young chef producing food of some finesse. It's different, but remains among the better Italian dining experiences in town."

Gourmet Traveller 2009 Australian Restaurant Guide Score: ** "A few years ago the Italian Club converted their well-worn headquarters into a stylish restaurant, with Barossa-bred Sarah Turner heading up an all-woman brigade behind the stoves"

Adelaide Advertiser July 19, 2006 11:30pm, 19-7-2006 "Sarah Turner drives the Enoteca restaurant, the fine-dining side of the Italian Club kitchen, which also delivers huge functions and special dining events like those associated with Tasting Australia. It was her work essentially that fed and excited a full house seeking an audience with Antonio Carluccio. As the beneficiary of the Italian Club's traditional provision of handmade pasta and gnocchi - mums and dads making fresh produce weekly - Sarah has a huge responsibility to deliver honest and creative Italian cuisine."

Gourmet Traveller 2008 Australian Restaurant Guide "After a makeover of this elegant Italian Centre showpiece, all slick and cool, the restaurant has received a boost with Sarah Turner in the kitchen and Roland Hiemstra on the floor"

Adelaide Advertiser TONY LOVE, 09-5-2007 Score: 16/20 "Elegant surroundings, cooking focused on excellent produce and classic simplicity, and mature, warm service. It all works."

Gourmet Traveller 2007 Australian Restaurant Guide "The Italian Club's elite dining room has undergone a stylish makeover, including a privacy curtain to partly screen the central table, while the menu and kitchen brigade are also new and under the management of renowned catering boss Steve Blanco. Settings and a wine list with a strong Italian presence all aim high, though local knowledge of every bottle is a hard ask."

Adelaide Advertiser 2006 "The restaurant attached to Adelaide's Italian club is a little like that nation's football (soccer) team - suavely dressed, promising greatness, sublime moments, not always living up to expectations."

Gourmet Traveller 2006 Australian Restaurant Guide "Big changes at this slick restaurant attached to Adelaide's Italian Club don't seem to have dented its popularity. The blood-orange, olive and timber-veneer finishes are still coolly retro, but long-time chef Camillo Crugnale departed in 2005 when management changed hands."

Gourmet Traveller 2005 Australian Restaurant Guide "A sleek renovation with beautifully wooded bar and pillars, warm colours and smart accessories, have transformed this former daggy Italian Club into a modern dining room more upmarket London than inner Adelaide. The city's gourmands flock here for chef Camillo Crugnale's loving take on familiar regional Italian cuisine"

Adelaide Advertiser Food & Drink Tony Love 17/8/05 "The Italian Club's dining room was never an ugly duckling: call it homely. These days, the street-face refit has given it bags of swank."

Advertiser 15/6/05 "Chic setting, meticulous service and a strong Australian-Italian wine list add to the pleasures of the table."

Adelaide Advertiser 13/10/04 Tony Love "Crugnale's modern take on the classic dish is just a primer for the rest of his terrific work at Enoteca Cucina, and worth a visit just to see how six vital ingredients can be tuned to perfection."

Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide Australia 2004, 1 Red Star, Good vegetarian options,'Italian clubs aren't often associated with top-flight Italian food. Enoteca Cucina is a marvellous exception...there is good bread to begin, Italian cheeses to finish, and a wide range of perfectly balanced and presented dishes in between...has a very good selection of regional Italian wines.'

The Advertiser, food&wine, Dining, Tony Baker, 'The Italian Club has been transformed into Enoteca Cucina." The Sydney Morning Herald, Good Living, 12/11/02, Nigel Hopkins,'high architectural style is a worthy complement to the food'