Quick Chop! Barendoe....Barendon't

Barendoe is an Italian restaurant located on Hutt Street.  The menu is quite extensive and consists of pizza, pasta, risotto and mains (meat/chicken/seafood).  Personally, I sometimes get a little worried when I see a restaurant have such an extensive range of items - does this usually mean that the restaurant is 'average' at all items and not exceptional at one?

Mains range between the $20 and $30 mark which I think is quite a reasonable price point.  I immediately went to the pasta section where the Fusili Ragu caught my eye.

My main came out and it was a decent portion size (I actually could not finish my main).  The pasta was cooked al dente and there was alot of veal.  In my opinion, a veal ragu should melt in your mouth with every mouthful being a burst of flavour.  Amalfi Ristorante does a great veal ragu.  Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for this instance at Barendoe - the veal was a little tough and dry.

Based on this dish alone, I don't think that I will go back again.  I think that there are a number of other Italian restaurants (Amalfi, Chianti, Parisi etc) which are far better and within the same or similar price point.

Ambiance: 3/5
Service: 3/5
Food: 5/10

Mirko gives Barendoe 11 out of 20 chops on the chopping board.