Bianca: Aaaaand we’re back! Well, it’s certainly been a minute, hasn’t it?
So what have we been up to? Alex has been living the high life baby-free, working for one of the top hospitality groups in Melbourne and Vanessa and I have three kiddies between us, with the littlest Luna & Adriana being 1 month apart to the day. So finding time for a meal, camera in hand has been few and far between.
We celebrated Valentine’s Day a few days early this year (because who wants a shitty set menu and to stare at other equally awkward couples as they play nice for a day). Local favourite Oliveto is a quiet achiever, serving classic modern Italian food, overlooking Brays Bay in Rhodes.
We started with a serving of house bread and EVOO (this was later replaced unprompted, uneaten and charged for – we did dispute and they corrected the bill but sneaky).
Burrata – heirloom tomatoes, watermelon radish, basil & olive crumb $25 because everybody knows life without burrata isn’t worth living. I found the radishes a little on the nose but you can’t deny that oozing stracciatella and cream, particularly when bread is involved!
The husband opted for the Mixed Seafood Grill $55. A collection of grilled Prawns, Calamari, Squid, Scallops and what I believe was a Swordfish steak. Everything was cooked well, fresh and offered a zesty kick with the simple olive oil and fresh herb dressing with a squeeze of lemon.
My knack for choosing a winner continues with the Porchetta, fennel, green apple & dijon $42. Lush juicy pork with textbook crackling, the classic combo of fatty meat and acidic tart fennel and fresh apple a masterstroke, tied with the accompanying sauce.
I’ve never encountered a fry on a menu that I haven’t wanted to meet, so to go with mains. Shoe String chips $10 and Radicchio, witlof, fennel, pecorino, capers & white balsamic $14.
There’s no sweeter finish than the Raspberry Souffle & chocolate gelato $18.
Bianca
