Five of our family had dinner for the first time at Raffaele & Maria's restaurant last night. Our various orders included, Penne, Carbonari, Spaghetti and Pizza with Mediterranean salads as a side.
Each meal was authentically Italian and unanimously voted thoroughly delicious.
Service, in part, provided by Raffaele himself, and complimented by a friendly and knowledgeable female team member, was prompt and courteous. Our outside table setting was perfect for us.
For those of you still reading, over the years, our family has been fortunate to spend time in Italy on several occasions. From our personal perspective to find this delightfully authentically Italian food outlet in Boondall, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, was a delightful surprise.
We shall certainly return to taste more of the menu offered by Raffaele and Maria.
Sandy McKellar
Driving home from the Sunny Coast, we had a sudden urge for pasta, so asked my mate Google for nearby Italian restaurants. Among the options was Raffaele & Maria who, at that stage, were a mere 8 minutes away. That, and the fact their reviews are sky-high, led us to choosing them for lunch.
The premises, along the main thoroughfare that is Sandgate Rd, is modest and simple in its presentation. It's part of a small, older strip of shops that aren't fully tenanted. Inside, things remain humble, with plastic tables and chairs, basic tablecloths, a small display cabinet, and a drinks fridge.
Meeting the owners, however, gave us a huge boost of confidence. An elderly Italian couple welcomed us in, seated us, and provided table water. A few minutes later, after our meal selections were made, we ordered.
Maybe 10-15 minutes later, our meals were served. My Spaghetti Alla Marinara was excellent, filled to the brim with assorted seafood, and I counted 6 sizeable prawns alone, not to mention the mussels, calamari, and other goodies included. My wife opted for the Linguine Alla Carbonara which was also very good. It was filled with premium quality ingredients, loaded with cheese, and tasted great. Both meals, although we've had larger servings for similar money, were filling and genuinely enjoyed. The pasta in both dishes was perfectly cooked, al dente. The Vegetarian Arancini entrees were also noteworthy, sizeable and flavoursome.
Overall, this little Italian gem reminded us that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. The owners, who exuded pride and passion in what they do, were not only lovely people but skilled in their craft. The food was of a high calibre, the service was personalised and friendly, and the costs were reasonable. Although we can't be regulars due to living an hour away, we will definitely keep Raffaele & Maria in mind, if and when we next pass by. I truly wish them all the best for the future.
Serge V
