Popular Hobart eatery adds to its widespread appeal

Amici is billed as a "a family friendly pizza and pasta restaurant".

That is true, but it is also much more than that. 

On our Wednesday visit there were plenty of family groups enjoying an affordable and convivial night out thanks to the hospitable young staff - and several others popping in for takeaways. 

The long-time North Hobart favourite changed hands a while back with new operator Jared Dickason - a man with massive hospitality knowledge - gradually elevating the food and wine experience while at the same time keeping the regulars happy.

Dickason has added several excellent Italian wines to the list - with very reasonable mark ups, while also allowing BYO for just $7.50 a bottle. 

There are plenty of $20-25 pizza/pasta and other traditional offerings, including hearty veal and pork meatballs with doughy bread rolls (six for $18), small pizzas (enough for two to share) starting from $21.50 and the likes of spaghetti bolognaise and fettucine carbonara for $23.50.

There are also a range of risottos, as well as vegan and vegetarian options. Takeaways are cheaper and are made fresh.

For the hungriest customers, the grazing menu ($60pp minimum of two people) features five courses of food, while the grazing and drinking deal is $90pp including wines. 

But it is the specials menu - with a focus on Tasmanian ingredients - where the excitement lies. And these are the dishes that are drawing in a new audience at Amici - which means "friends" in Italian. 

Try, perhaps, the pan-seared Tasmanian scallops served in their shell with a cannelini bean puree, mint and salsa verdé topped with a prosciutto gremolata ($17 for four, above). 

My wife enjoyed oysters served three ways ($4 per oyster). 

There are also offerings like local venison ravioli, Tasmanian eye fillet carpaccio (delicious but a little too fussy for my taste), and Tasmanian lamb cutlets. You might even get to try some Tasmanian truffles when they are in season.

The star of the show for me was the seriously spectacular Tasmanian crayfish linguine ($32, pictured top), served with garlic, fresh chilli, sun-dried tomatoes and spring onions. An intricate dish that packs a serious flavour punch. 

For dessert. a "deconstructed" cassata is quenelles of Tasmanian Valhalla cassata ice cream filled with pieces of Dutch chocolate, glazed fruits and almonds served on wild berry coulis topped with biscuit crumble $9.50). It is as delicious - and OTT - as it sounds.

Amici is at 310 Elizabeth St, North Hobart and is open seven nights from 5pm. See https://amici-restaurant.com.au/ 

Well worth checking out.

# The writer was hosted by Amici