Grappa Ristorante e Bar

Grappa is all the better for being tucked away at the extreme end of Little Italy, away from the tourists and touts. It's a prime destination for christenings and confirmations so it can get raucous, but there's plenty of light, bright and breezy space for all. It's also a rendezvous point for gaggles of well-dressed women in thrall to the charming Italian waiters. Heed their recommendations. glistening, wafer-thin yellowfin tuna carpaccio, or three fat Hervey Bay scallops cosseted in the half-shell, both augmented by chilli and lemon. WA scampi has star quality. roasted and blistered in the glittering wood-fired oven, which sits centre-stage in the kitchen. Meaty discs of lamb shoulder also deserve a gong - fork-tender, sitting pretty in a piquant peperonata dotted with a pungent salmoriglio. Dessert - chocolate souffle, raspberry sorbet and cocoa and almond crumble - may look a tad pedestrian, but it pops with flavour and texture.