When it comes to hotel room service, we generally have a couple of things to look out for in determining if that particular hotel’s room service is worth it. First, we do expect the prices to be quite high, as with most five-star (or otherwise similarly-ranked) hotels. Correspondingly, in terms of taste, the food should be similar to what one can find in good restaurants in the country. Based on the above, we rate The Fantauzzo Brisbane - Art Series Hotels’ room service!
The Fantauzzo has an advantage over other hotels because its room service orders are fulfilled by its main restaurant, Polpetta. Located at one of Brisbane’s hottest venues, Howard Smith Wharves, this means that Polpetta has to step up its game to compete with the other restaurants in the area. This can only mean good things for the hotel’s guests. In fact, rather than thinking of Polpetta as the hotel’s restaurant, my opinion is that Polpetta is really a restaurant located in a hotel, and it offers dishes to the hotel’s guests as a value-added service. This can only benefit the hotel and its guests.
Polpetta is an Italian restaurant and this means that most of the dishes on the menu are Italian in nature, as opposed to other more conventional hotels that serve club sandwiches, fish and chips, and other generic dishes. This is a major plus point for me as this means the restaurant is focusing on what they are good at, rather than offering a wide variety of generic dishes for hotel guests. From what we have seen so far in hotels, this can sometimes be a hit and miss.
I had a three-course meal, individually selected, which I thought represented how an Italian meal should be like.
Polpetta - Veal and pork meatballs, tomato sugo, smoked scamorza:
For me, the first course has got to be polpetta, which I had to order since it is in the restaurant’s name! For those who do not understand Italian, like I don’t, it is really meatballs cooked in a tomato base served with some smoked cheese (scamorza). The base was delicious and went well with the meatballs. Not sour but instead sweet, the tomato sugo was perfect with the meatballs. As a cheese lover, the smoked scamorza enhanced the taste of this starter. A great start!
Bucatini with Queensland prawns:
Next up was the entree. I ordered a bucatini with Queensland prawns, and it did not disappoint. The portion was quite big and was too much to finish the dish on my own, although I tried really hard. It might be good to share this with your partner if you guys are intending to order some starters. The prawns were the obvious stars of the dish. Big and fresh, the prawns were crunchy which further highlighted its freshness. As I already had a hearty starter in the polpetta, I deliberately ordered the bucatini so that it would not be too filling. A good choice, as it ensured I had enough space in my tummy for dessert!
Tiramisu:
A classic Italian dessert, you simply must have it when you are in an Italian restaurant! At least for people like me who do not frequent Italian joints! Polpetta’s version of the tiramisu is a classic one, as they do not attempt to reinvent the wheel. A wise choice, as I usually prefer to have the original dish as how it should be, as opposed to more inventive styles where restaurants sometimes do not warn you about beforehand!
No surprises here, as the tiramisu was absolutely delicious. Soft, creamy, and melts in your mouth, it was a satisfying end to my meal. How do I gauge how good this dessert was? I was disappointed that there was none left after taking my last bite. It simply made me realise how much I enjoy this classic Italian dessert!
You should definitely try Polpetta if you are staying at The Fantauzzo. I really love how the food is all cooked to order! Having ordered room service before where the food was essentially reheated after being frozen previously, you can understand how nice it is to have fresh food served to your room. Essentially, you are ordering takeout from an Italian restaurant below your home, served in proper china!
Restaurant website (with menu): https://www.artserieshotels.com.au/fantauzzo/food-drink/polpetta/
Total Cost: A$68 (inclusive of government taxes)
Qn: Was the room service meal worth it?
A: Yes! It was essentially having a meal at a restaurant, served in the comfort of your own room.
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