Basilico

I love Haberfield – and I love basil, the  pungent herb used in so much of Italian cookery. Basilico’s owner John Morsello chose basil to define his recently opened restaurant in Haberfield’s main street.

The décor is subtle and tasteful. Just a stylised leaf of basil on the sign, and beyond the tables set by doors that open onto the footpath, a splendid chandelier and high ceilings.

But Basilico’s drawcard of course is its food and the two chefs, John’s brother Tony Morsello, and Marco Lagomarsino (former owner of Pyrmont’s Zafferelli’s) have developed a stunning compact menu, complemented by daily and weekly specials.

“It all depends on whatever’s best and fresh,” they tell me when I visit. That’s the sort of thing all diners like to hear.

I love Italy, and this place lets me have a little visit whenever I want to.

Basilico Restaurant, 103 Ramsay St, Haberfield, NSW. Phone 02 9799 5500. Open lunch and dinner Tuesday to Sunday. Licensed/BYO wine only (corkage $3 per person). Eat in or take away.