La favola is much like an Italian sports car, they describe themselves as fast, fresh and authentic. These are great qualities for a casual Italian eatery, as is a passion for great food. This is evident in all of the dishes Chef Fabio Stefanelli prepares. The restaurant is modern, bright and inviting, a great venue for a casual meal with friends and equally suitable for a date night.
This place is so very Italian in a good way, so much so, many fellow diners appeared to be Italian. It is very Italian to enjoy a beverage with a meal, in many instances enhancing the experience. What better way to start than with an aperitif. You can have perhaps set the mood with a classic Aperol Spritz or Negroni and a follow it up with a glass of vino and finish with a nip of Limoncello.
More importantly, the food here is superb, made fresh, keeping it simple to highlight quality ingredients. Ticking boxes right from the start with some freshly baked Foccacia for six bucks, too hard to pass up and add some accompaniments truffle butter, marinated olive and or Nduja a delicious spreadable salami.
The carpaccio was a phenomenal, with thin slices of cured bresola that melts in with parmesan, kale crisps and truffle oil. We were curious about the Kale being added, but it works very well, adding texture and enhancing flavour, we will definitely order this again.
We also enjoyed a lovely burrata, an Italian cheese of cow milk very light with a elastic like skin and a wet creamy centre.
A favola prides itself on serving delicious fresh pasta dishes that are reasonably priced: between $22-$25. Choose from a range of pastas and then opt for your preferred sauce. Their traditional cabonarra was particularly good, there is something extremely satisfying about cracking the egg yolk and mixing it with pancetta and pecorino, to sauce the pasta.
We also shared another favourite; the Rigatoni with Ragu Napoletano this is certainly comfort food. We will return for more of their Pasta Quattro Formaggi, yes please!
If that is not enough, there are a selection of dessets that are mighty inviting, including cannoli and Tiramisu. However they do have a specials menu and the Nutella ricotta cheesecake was a great choice thick and creamy, toasted hazelnuts providing some crunch and the raspberry sorbet countering the rich cheesecake.
A top option for an authentic casual Italian meal and a few beverages in Newtown and at a good price too. A big thanks to the staff at A Favola for their hospitality and to foodie friend Where_do_eat_pete for the invitation.
172 King St Newtown
NSW 2042