Fatto Bar and Cantina

** Before I start this post I just wanted to say thank you for coming back and reading my blog. I have had a long, unplanned hiatus for a number of reasons which I won't bore you with but I am very excited to get back into regular blogging.  There are a couple of restaurants I visited last year that I will be reviewing but rest assured that I will be making sure my comments and data are still relevant.** 

Fatto Bar and Cantina
100 St Kilda Rd
Southbank

What do you think about pre-theatre menus?  I am not a fan as I often feel like they are rushed and don't represent good value for money.

Last year my sisters and I went to a concert at Hamer Hall so we booked Fatto Bar and Cantina for dinner, which is located next to the concert venue. To ensure we were finished on time we went with their pre-theatre menu. The set menu was 2 courses (with choices) for $45 per person. I don't think that was an unreasonable price however the meal had a few issues.

The menu is split into Small Dishes, Medium Dishes and To Finish. We all chose from the first two selections.

From the 'small dishes' or entree section I selected the Bruschetta with Broccoli Rabe, Bagna Cauda and Chilli. 

This was not very successful. It was served cold and would have been better warm. It was also very cold as if it had just come out of the refrigerator and would have benefited from being brought to room temperature at least.

J had the Whipped Ricotta, Poached Nectarine, Pistachio, Pane Carasau.  She was underwhelmed and felt the different elements didn't really work well.

K chose the Seared Tuna, Zucchini Noodles, Pine Nuts, Vincotto, Nasturtium which she enjoyed.  

For main J and I had the Roasted Beetroot Risotto, Goats Curd, Walnuts, Chervil.  This was quite tasty and visually very beautiful although I don't think it photographed well!

K again went with the seafood option and chose well -  King Salmon, Zucchini, Salsa Verde, Hazelnuts, Orange Zest.

We shared the Roquette, Fennel, Pear and Pecorino salad which was nice.

Overall this meal was nice but it didn't wow me and I wouldn't rush back to Fatto despite the convenient location.

Pinot Grigio

I think if we'd arrived early, ordered one of their pizzas, (which by all accounts are traditional and delicious), to enjoy with our wine my overall impression of Fatto would have been very different. 


So, are you a fan of the pre-theatre set menu?  Any recommendations to change my mind?

Mr Hive Kitchen & Bar - MFWF Restaurant Express

Mr Hive Kitchen & Bar
8 Whiteman Street
Southbank 3006 

I love the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival Restaurant Express lunches.  The deal is 2 courses and a glass of wine for $40. There are many participating restaurants and it is a great way to try a restaurant without a huge financial outlay.  This year I only had time for one lunch so chose Mr Hive Kitchen & Bar which has been on my 'list' for awhile.  It is located in the Crown Casino complex in the space previously occupied by Gordon Ramsay's Maze.  Entry is via the Crown Metropol Hotel.    

The restaurant decor carries through the 'bee hive' theme.

We began with delicious bread and salted butter.  There were a number of wines to choose from including a sparkling.  I had the Yarra Ridge Sauvignon Blanc which was lovely and crisp.

Jicama ravioli / avocado / pistachio

My friend and I decided to share an entree and dessert to try as much of the menu as possible.  The two entrees on offer were Smoked Rainbow Trout, potato, cucumber, celery or Jicama ravioli, avocado, pistachio.  We chose the ravioli but I have to admit we had to ask what Jicama was first!!  Turns out it is root vegetable that looks like a turnip.  

The salad is served cold and the ravioli is actually very thin slices of Jicama filled with the avocado mixture.  It was light, fresh, different and quite tasty but it didn't overly excite me and is probably not something I would rush to order again.

Ora King Salmon / peas / asparagus

The two options for mains were "Black Angus" flat iron (300g), black miso, shitake salad served medium or Pan fried Ora King Salmon, peas, asparagus.  We both chose the salmon which was divine.  Beautifully cooked, with a deliciously crispy skin it was a lovely dish.

Dessert was Summer berry Eton mess or Mrs Hive's chocolate bar, peanuts, caramel.  I have previously had Mr Hive's Eton Mess at Taste of Melbourne 2012 and whilst it was delicious we were very keen to try the chocolate bar.

Chocolate bar / peanuts / caramel

The chocolate bar was every bit as good as it looks though it was very rich and dense and I would struggle to finish it alone.  The peanut butter ice cream was lovely and helped cut through the richness.

Our meal concluded with tea or coffee.  Despite this being an express lunch we weren't rushed which was nice.