14/20
Italian$$$$
If you can tolerate the whole RSL signing-in palaver and the patterned carpets that go with the territory,just beyond the pokies a treat lies in store. The chocolate-toned dining room with its mirror-mounted sconces and flickering gas fires - even in summer! - has been designed with comfort and hearing in mind. A rabbit terrine is more like rillettes but,terminology aside,its rich shredded flesh is matched with a slab of seared foie gras,the tangy cornichons a good contrast. Firm scallops and pureed sweetcorn are topped with crisp frills of pancetta,granular sweetbreads the only let-down. Heaven lies in the duck and wild mushroom pie,its buttery pastry handsomely encasing a gutsy filling. Braised lamb shoulder,grilled cutlet,green olive tapenade,smoky eggplant and caponata is a busy dish,but it all works. Well-timed service allows sufficient pause before your cinnamon and sugar-doused Italian doughnuts with vanilla gelato and dulce de leche.