Excellence in food and wine
Balducci has a simple philosophy: to provide a memorable experience by redefining the essence of good home cooked food and continually upping the standards with its understated European elegance, delicious menu, stunning views and professional service in a trendy yet stylish environment. The emphasis is on providing good quality food that is simple, fresh, filled with passion and served in style. Food invariably requires wine. You may get lost in the pages of the wine list, but as at any family table, there is always someone who knows just what to order. Just speak to one of their experienced sommeliers.
They are, of course, devotees to what the doyen of Italian food, Marcella Hazan, described as “the Italian art of eating”, which requires “generosity… patience... and the best raw materials”. Balducci sources only the best produce for the table.
It is this connection, passion and continual culinary crusade for excellence and innovation over 20 years that has earned Balducci a loyal following and many awards, including 2016 Excellence Awards from both TripAdvisor - for memorable dining experiences, and Wine Spectator Restaurant Wine List Awards - for their outstanding dedication to wine.
Balducci’s friends return time and time again just to share Balducci’s Antipasti Platter or eat a plate of the famous Balducci Pasta—a classic dish of pasta turned in a light Parmigiano cream with sundried tomatoes, olives, chili, and garlic. Or they hunger for the Dalla Griglia Smoked BBQ Pork Ribs or A-Grade Grainfed Beef supplied by sister restaurant Belthazar’s master butcher.
Others visit only for the Mozambican Prawns or Asian noodles and tapas, swearing that the popular Chicken with Soy and Ginger and Salmon Teriyaki are unmatched. Or claim that they can’t leave the table without a plate of the Balducci Japanese Salad, paired perhaps with a Portofino Pizza from their wood-fired oven. Expect the same intimate sense of celebration to end the meal where favourites include White Lindt Chocolate Cheesecake, Tiramisu or a Formaggi selection served with habanero sweet chili jam and melba toast.
• Salmon or Tuna Tartare – freshly chopped and served with caviar, avocado, micro greens and a lemon mustard dressing on a bed of sushi rice
• Crunchy Rolls - Inside out rolls of spicy tuna and crispy onion bits
• Lemon Salmon Rolls - Inside out rolls of fresh salmon, red onions and a zesty lemon mayo
• Cheese Burger Pizza - a Margherita with a sliced 200g grilled patty, topped with cheddar and caramelised onions, dressed with lettuce, pickles and drizzled with their famous #6 secret sauce
• Mafia Pizza - mozzarella, gorgonzola, roast chicken and jalapenos with a drizzle of Tabasco
• Prawn, chicken, beef or vegetarian Asian pizzas
• Bistecca Bordelaise - a 250g sirloin topped with brie, avocado, and a red wine sauce
Balducci has also recently introduced a Banting menu, offering Banting Lasagne, a Banting Burger, a selection of Banting Pizzas and more.
Recently renovated by global award-winning architect Stefan Antoni, Balducci is now poised to once again set the scene for many years to come. Restyling to bring Balducci in line with a contemporary take on classic décor and design while incorporating modern African graphics, raw industrial finishes, luxurious leather, and bleached wood - the cutting-edge design saw Balducci shortlisted for the international Restaurant and Bar Design 2014/15 awards.
Be sure visit their newly renovated Asian Tapas, Noodle and Sushi Bar adjacent to Balducci. Reputed to be the best on the Waterfront, this little gem has also undergone a major revamp by architect, Stefan Antoni, and typifies a small signature designed Japanese and Asian Restaurant and Bar. The sushi there is the Real McCoy.
