Bottega

This years Melbourne Food and Wine Festival  very sadly passed me by. I  have no one to blame but myself, there were plenty of wonderful free events...but I did manage to get myself along to Bottega for an express lunch. Express lunch is a tried and true format, two courses, a glass of wine and coffee for $35.

I have had a few express lunches in my time, some good and some not so good. Bottega was most defiantly in the GOOD category. Unfortunately there are no photos, as I was completely caught up in the meal! 

I had a entre of heirloom tomato caprese salad with goats cheese and pumpkin rollo with burnt butter, sage and hazelnut for main. Both dishes were sensational. The heirloom tomatoes had a wonderful diversity of flavour and colour, from what I could tell there were tigerella, yellow pear, green zebra and black pear (love heirloom tomatoes!) the tartness of the goats cheese balanced the sweetness of the tomatoes,  while the addition of black olives and basil made a dish that was in perfect harmoney.   

Main course of pumpkin rollo was fantastic. It was kind of like a rolled up pumpkin lasagne, and looked a little like canelloni. Butter and sage is my new favourite thing, and I have noticed it cropping up on a few menu's around town. Its a wonderful seasonal combination of flavour. Topped of with a glass of sangiovese it was a throughly enjoyable meal. Very friendly and professional service, I highly recommend Bottega lunch!

Mrs Parmas- Melbourne

25 Lt Bourke St Melbourne
www.mrsparmas.com.au

At Mrs Parmas apparently size does matter. Your Parma will weigh no less than 230g and will be lovingly hand crafted by a Chef trained in the mysterious art of Parmology. I like a good Parma as much as the next person, but apparently not as much as some.

Days before visiting Mrs Parmas, my work colleagues had been talking up a storm about the place. Who could finish the whole thing? what flavor are you having?? I heard there is one called Parma'geddon? Indeed there is.

I once lived with a nice Kiwi chap who didn't really get what all the fuss was about, "Isn't it just cheese and sauce on a schnitzel?" he asked? Well yes, it is.

However, At Mrs Parmas the concept has been taken into an whole other stratosphere. There are no less than 10 different toppings, on either chicken, wiener schnitzel or egg plant. And salad and chips are always served on the side, not UNDER the parma. Geeez, now its getting complicated.

Good news for those who don't wish to have a heart attack on the way back to the office, there is a menu offering bistro classics. The Polenta salad didn't look to bad, and the token vegetarian reported that it was edible.

Not only is Mrs Parmas a haven for those who love the deep fry, it is also a beacon for those who like a micro brew. In particular, a Victoria one. I really like this concept, and went for a Coldstream Cider. It was marvellous.

While the idea of devouring a parma the size of a dinner plate for lunch doesn't get me as revved up as some, I must say, it was pretty good. It is obvious that quite a bit of love has going into the operation of this place. Considering I dined in a rather large goup of 20, including gluten free and vego's, the service was efficet and friendly.

I probably wouldn't return to Mrs Parmas for a causal meal, but I just might pop in for a cider, or a Mildura Storm Cloud Ale. One this occasion I offer 14/20.