It’s easy to forget you’re in Lithgow as you step into La Trattoria. The traditional Australian cottage on Main Street belies the ambient interior within. Much thought and attention to detail has gone into the décor – frescoes, ‘stucco’ style walls reminiscent of a Venetian villa and simple, rustic furniture create an atmosphere of warm, Italian hospitality.

Local residents will recall the location as the former Lithgow “institution”, the Galloping Grape. When the opportunity came up, the proprietors of the popular Italian restaurant at St Mounts guest house in Blackheath decided to bring their traditional Italian fare to Lithgow.

Judging by the busy lunchtime traffic here today, locals are glad they did. The menu is the same winning formula that has been so popular with Blackheath residents and St Mounts chef Ian Andersen divides his time between the two restaurants, ensuring consistency across the two places.
The menu at Trattoria is extensive – you can start with a range of tasty homemade breads, including garlic and herb breads, a huge plate of antipasto or there’s a range of interesting salads, hearty staples like a traditional Caesar salad or the Insalata di Mara, salad with seafood.

For mains choose from varieties of pasta and risottos. The ravioli of spinach, ricotta and pine nuts is delicious and entrée or main size portions mean you can choose a dish to suit your appetite or select a pasta or risotto for first course, Italian-style.

There’s also a huge range of meat dishes – the fillet steak is tender and tasty and is offered many ways – pepper sauce, mushroom sauce or the signature dish of Filetto con Gamberi, served with fresh prawns and a creamy white wine garlic sauce. Sauces are on the liberal side and portions are big, ideal for those with a hearty appetite.

There’s veal too, traditional Italian favourites like Saltimbocca alla Romana – Veal escalopes in white wine with parma ham and sage. There’s also a good range of fresh seafood. It’s hard to imagine anyone not finding something to suit them here.

The opening times of La Trattoria are ideal for passing trade. Open from 11am, all through the day through to evening, ideal for early or late lunch or just a coffee and slice of tiramisu. The lunchtime special is becoming a great favourite with locals - $15 for garlic bread, pasta and a drink, is a steal.
La Trattoria is very family friendly, in keeping with the tradition of Trattoria-style Italian restaurants – half portions of pasta or risotto make a good kid’s meal and owner Malina Schindler (who is half Italian) tells me they are happy to cater for children; they’ll even provide crayons and paper.
The atmostphere here is convivial, and would be a great place for a party. Just as well that staff at La Trattoria are happy to cater for functions too. They can comfortably seat up to 80, Malina says. Whether it’s a 21st, or a 70th birthday, an anniversary or an engagement, it’s easy to imagine a Saturday night here would be lots of fun.

The local restaurant scene is currently dominated by pubs so La Trattoria is a welcome alternative for locals and anyone travelling through to the Central West who wants to stop and dine somewhere other than a fast food joint on the Highway.

277 Main St, Lithgow (02) 6351 4000 ✽