Cosa Nostra Italian Trattoria recently opened up on Tinakori Road and since it’s local to us and we read a favourable review in The Wellington Guide we decided to give it a try. Looking in it certainly has appeal and we received a friendly welcome and were shown to a table.
The menu is strong on typical Italian fare with a selection of pizza and pasta on offer. We went straight for pizza Bianca whilst we mulled over our menus, the Kiwi starting with Green lipped mussels then our mains (Secondi Piati) being Scaloppine di Vitello – pan fried veal in creamy marsala sauce with roast veg for me and with Stinco D’Agnello – slow cooked lamb shank with veg, herbs and rosemary crushed potatoes – for the Kiwi.
The mussels were in a lovely cream, garlic, white wine and chilli sauce, but with no bread or spoon provided it was tricky to really benefit from it. The Kiwi asked for some bread to help soak the sauce up, and two neat slices of bread arrived. When the plates were collected I made a suggestion that a spoon be provided to allow diners to really enjoy the sauce, which was noted but only time will tell if it is acted on!
The mains arrived looking homely and rustic, just what we wanted on a winter’s night. My veal was lovely, with a delicious, rich sauce but unfortunately the roast potatoes were a undercooked being rather hard in the centre. The Kiwi’s lamb shank was lovely, the meat falling off the bone.
The dessert menu was a bit of a let down, with lots of desserts that I can easily make myself so I never see the point of paying $9 – $11 for the privilege of someone else making it for me. We did share the chocolate pudding, which on its very quick arrival made us conclude it was microwaved (I hate restaurants using microwaves!) but was chocolately, hot and yummy so all is forgiven.
As a local restaurant it hits the spot. The BYO during the week adding to the night off from cooking!
