Working late, end of another week of bedlam and stress, too tired to cook, too exhausted to get all dolled up to go to an expensive restaurant... been there?

This describes last night rather adequately. So we got into the car, as we were, and drove across the bridge in search of an Italian restaurant.

First stop was the North Sydney Hotel drive-through bottle shop. One of the best places in Sydney to score something really special at a very favourable price. From d'Arenberg's Custodian to Primo Estate's Joseph Sparkling RED, you name it, and you will find it there.

Armed with a few bottles we visited the Castel Mola Restaurant and Pizzeria in Leichhardt. This small, family-run restaurant is noisy, friendly and very Italian. The pizza is fabulous. The gnocchi with Gorgonzola sauce divine and the pasta al-dente, simple and tasty. Nothing pretentious here. The place is BYO and excellent value for money. Service is as good as you can expect and I reckon this is just the place for those Friday nights.

Score 6/10

The Sydney Hotel

292 Miller Street

North Sydney NSW 2060

02 9955 1341

Bottle Shop Manager: Jasper McQuaid

Castel Mola Restaurant

286 Norton Street

Leichhardt NSW 2040

02 9569 8814

Franz Scheurer