A birthday bash - In Tosolini's

Tosolini's : The place to be when it come to Italian cuisine.

Before I start writing more regarding the place, the main purpose of the event is to celebrate the birthdays of two of my friends, Debbie (from Singapore) and Yooni (from Korea).

No other better place that they can pick to celebrate this special day than Tosolini's Restaurant. Tosolini's really made its name with its pastas and focaccias. (Italian my man, Si! )

This snazzy restaurant is right next to the busy central bus terminal and in the heart of Canberra's city, Tosolini's really pulls in the passing crowd. They have seats outdoors where you can have a cup of coffee to watch the world pass by.

In the restaurant

Oriental style lanterns add spice to the ambiance - on contrary of being an Italian restaurant

Yellow spot lights on the ceiling create a warm atmosphere, one which is very important to induce the appetite of their customers. One would want to be cozy in the outside before they start pampering their stomachs with the delicacies offered, Si?

A long dining table awaits us - where cutleries were arrange with much care and attention.

Everything was very well arranged. Wooden tables decorated the floor along with matching chairs. There was even a fire-place in the middle of the floor, creating a much warmer feeling to all who set their foot into the restaurant.

the Bar: Fine selection of wines are available, as well as other types of liqueurs.

A good marketing strategy: Make one's customers pass the glass display of cakes, desserts and pastries as well as the fine selection of wine when one's customers come in. That was what they do. If weren't for the cake that we brought, we would have already gotten one from the place.

the friendly and professional crew at the counter and display shelf.

Finally before I head on to the food I shall rant a bit more on their staff. They were polite, friendly and basically - professional, as one expect from a high class restaurant. I even had a little chat with them when I took the picture above.

Me: It's for my blog guys, sorry for the flash
Dark shirt guy: It's alright, but I have to charge you next time
Me: Aww, come on! You guys would be famous.
Dark shirt guy: Then that's ok, but be sure not to put my face next to a naked picture, or else I would be in trouble!

The food - Starters

You can view more of the range of their food on their official web-page. We have ordered the Modello Banquet Dinner (which was $29.90 p.p). This sort of price is the price you'd expect from a snazzy Italian Cuisine restaurant.

Alright, here goes!

Garlic, Pesto, Sundried Tomato, and Olive Breads

Toasted bread with the mentioned items above - a good start for more to come

Calamaretti St. Andrea

Lightly fried calamari served with wild rocket and lemon dressing. They almost melt in your mouth the moment you chew them.

Antipasto Misto

Garlic prawns, grilled chorizo, shaved proscuitto, assorted dips and marinated vegetables

The last starter was the best! It was served with bread, so when you lay them on top of the bread along with the dip it is simply superb!

The food - Mains

Everyone had to choice to choose one out of the following mentioned below.

Pizza al Pescatore

Roman style pizza square topped with prawns, calamari, tuna, chilli and fresh herbs

A very filling pizza, especially for sea food lovers. Remember the ones they had in Pizza-Hut? This one's ten times better!

Insalata con Pollo

Marinated chicken pieces tossed with sun dried tomatoes, shaved parmesan, crispy potatoes, baby spinach and wild rocket leaves

A unique mix of chicken salad - delicious to the very last leaf of vegetable and shred of meat.

Vitello alla Limone

Tender slices of veal, panseared and served with crispy kipfler potatoes, wild rocket leaves and lemon butter sauce

Meat lovers! Get your hands on this! This would definitely fill your stomachs. Add a dash of pepper and it would be perfect!

Fettucine alla carbonara

Bacon, cracked pepper, parmesan, garlic cream sauce

Among all of the options offered, this would probably be the best. Simple, filling, tasty and delicious!

Risotto con Pollo

Marinated chicken, mushrooms, semi dried tomatoes, seeded mustard and fresh herbs

May look dodgy or even like a RM 5.00 "chap-fan" but it's not bad actually.

Chaplango alla Sedapo

I know that I am not suppose to play with food but I can't help it!

Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

Thanks to Lyon, everyone has the chance to enjoy a little bit of good wine

The Celebration - Yooni's and Debbie's Big Day

Alright, I think I have already covered enough regarding the restaurant so now regarding the main purpose of why we were in Tosolini's in the first place - a birthday bash for two babes!

xx candles - for a girl named Yooni.

Sparkles and candles adds the fun! (The sparkles ended a little bit too soon - even before the cake was served)

Either the world is too small, a stroke of chance or a by fate, these two close buddies have the same birthday!

Left to Right: Gladys, Debbie, Kimberley, Yooni, Amanda and Winnie

Even they have different birthdays (I shall keep their ages a secret, as you know I may get bashed up by them for telling the whole world how old they really are - GIRLS) and live in different halls, many friends turned up for the event.

The many people present on this very special day - people of different races, nationalities and countries. Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Australia

The two birthday girls with their cakes - making their wishes and singing along with the merry crowd.

There is a reason why we meet in Canberra and why this place means Kam-ber-ra - "meeting ground" in the aboriginal language. This is where our lives crossed with one another, creating new paths of friendship.

With a good eatery location, scrumptious food served, happy friends amongst us and a special day that happen, today is definitely a day that will remain as what we call a happy memory.

And before I end the post, I shall let Yooni and Debbie blow out their candles and granting them their birthday wishes:

Smoke from the blown candles - sending their wishes up to the heavens and allowing their hopes and desires to come true.

PS : After party will probably be covered by Winnie =P