Perfect for an intimate dinner or a robust family gathering. Photo: Kazuri Photography.
We are sitting out on the pavement on Mort Street, sipping wine, dipping chunks of complimentary warm bread into a classic blend of quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar. We chat while watching life drift past us in the warm early evening.
The Italian Place Enoteca in Braddon is a true neighbourhood Italian. The cosy, rustic interior, with its timber floors and warm pops of colour across the boldly hued walls, is perfect for an intimate dinner or a boisterous gathering.
The chefs here move the menu through the year in harmony with the seasons with a focus on seasonal produce, kept as local as possible.
We have come to taste some of the new starters, sides, and entrees. Not a menu overhaul, just some fresh offerings.
The battuto di manzo arrives first: beef fillet tartare with cornichons (diced miniature gherkins), capers, eschalots and stracciatella, served with croutons. Tender, finely chopped quality beef, well-seasoned and exquisitely balanced by the sweetness, salt, and sour of the other ingredients; it spreads easily over the wide, whisper-thin garlic-kissed croutons. There are no bells or whistles with this tartare; it simply luxuriates in its own lush umami.
Next is the insalata di polipo: octopus salad with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, green olives, and lemon vinaigrette. The octopus is tender without losing its bite, the vegetables fresh and crisp, the dressing drawing everything together.
Then the lattuga: cos lettuce with peach, shaved almonds, seasoned and dressed with lemon honey dressing. Near-transparent peach slivers lend vibrance and sweet, tangy pops within the salad. Balancing sweet, bitter, and crisp, we enjoy our lattuga.
Bright summery lattuga salad with peach slices. Photo: Kazuri Photography.
A plate of prosciutto San Daniele with mozzarella fior di latte follows. The prosciutto, sliced so thin it’s almost translucent, is paired with silken orbs of baby mozzarella. It’s dressed simply, and the restraint allows the quality of the produce to shine brightly. Eating it is a simple pleasure.
The dish that delights me most is wagyu bresaola (air-dried, salted beef) with cream cheese and rocket. The bresaola, punchy and long-cured, sits on a bed of peppery rocket, topped with soft dollops of cream cheese, finished with olive oil and what tastes like a light touch of balsamic. It’s rich without being heavy. I love how the two strong flavours meld together against the mild cream dressing. Bliss in my mouth.
These new menu additions, shaped by season and availability, signal a thoughtful and curious kitchen.
The restaurant has a strong focus on Canberra and regional wines. Photo: Kazuri Photography.
As an enoteca, the restaurant’s identity is defined by wine, with a strong focus on Canberra and regional wines.
The restaurant offers both a house red and a house white. The house white Chardonnay hails from the Hilltops region, whereas the house Shiraz is a cool-climate red from Carla Rodeghiero and Malcolm Burdett of Sapling Yard in Bungendore.
Wine dinners are a key feature at The Italian Place Enoteca. Last winter, the restaurant hosted a series of Italian regional wine dinners, with menus paired specifically to each region. In winter, truffle dinners are also a highlight, using local truffles (of course).
My favourite dish: wagyu bresaola. Photo: Kazuri Photography.
Keep your eye out for the restaurant’s socials for the wine dinners and for its truffle offerings. The team works closely with winemakers and regularly hosts wine dinners tied to seasonal releases and vintages.
If you are looking for a solid neighbourhood Italian that is quietly satisfying its locals who return again and again, go check out The Italian Place Enoteca! Next time, we will explore the mains – the fresh pasta dishes and the eggplant parmigiana sound irresistible.
The Italian Place Enoteca is located at 38 Mort St in Braddon. It is open for lunch Tuesday to Saturday, 12 pm to 2:30 pm, and for dinner, Monday to Saturday, 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Follow The Italian Place Enoteca on Facebook and Instagram to drool over delicious pasta images and see all the upcoming regional Italian and wine dinners.
Original Article published by Michelle Taylor on Region Canberra.
