Michael E. Generalireview collection- Musica E
June 23rd 2007 01:36
i am going to post a collection of published restaurant reveiws that i wrote for the casnberra times as much to give my fiends and family a place to read them as for any other readers to view. this is in lew of of a new review exclusive to orble which i will be putting on my site early next week. i hope you enjoy themMusica e, That's Amore
If you're looking for a new and different dining experience in Canberra, look no further than Musica E.
The brainchild of actor-turned-restaurateur Mario Gamma, this ``singing'' restaurant features live performances by the man himself on Friday and Saturday nights.
With a leafy view over parkland on the shores of Lake Ginninderra, Musica E is the perfect setting for an early summer dinner or long Saturday lunch.
The decor is clean-cut and modern, featuring a scattering of modern artworks.
The room is dominated by a woodfired oven and backlit displays of Campari bottles and cocktail glasses.
As we arrive, the lively dining area has the familiar buzz of a Friday night dinner crowd.
The menu is small but varied and the wine list has a succinct selection from most major regions in Australia as well as a special Italian red.
We opt for the 2003 Burchina Chianti Superiore ($33), a smooth, full-bodied red with sharp berry overtones, very little tannin and just a hint of sweetness.
To start we order the Roast Capsicum Pizza Bread ($6), which arrives just as Mario grabs the microphone to start the night's entertainment.
The pizza base is lovely and crusty, the capsicum nicely roasted, if a bit under-seasoned.
For entraacée I choose the Salt and pepper calamari with lemon aioli on rocket ($14.90) and my partner orders the traditional Arrancini rice balls with pecorino and creamy napoli sauce ($14.90). Our entrees arrive as our host belts out ``That's Amore'' and ``Grease Lightning'', persuading everyone to clap and sing along.
My calamari is presented as a mountain of perfectly crisp curls, wonderfully salty and sided with the tart aioli, which contains real chunks of roasted garlic.
My partner's Arrancini (two large balls) are golden brown and filled with a marvellously cheesy risotto, with just enough napoli to preserve the crisp shell.
Our main arrives promptly; I'd ordered the house special, the Musica e Pizza _ with bocconcini, prosciutto, onions, mushrooms, spinach, ricotta and garlic ($19.90).
The creamy ricotta and crispy prosciutto work very well together.
My partner enjoys the Pesce; deep sea snapper with diced tomato, yellow capsicum and onion on sweet potato ($28.90). The tomato and sweet potato make this dish quite moreish, the fish, however, is a bit dry and could have been cooked a little less.
We turn our attention to the house-made desserts _ the perennial tiramisu and cassata among them.
We select the Leatherwood honey panncotta with pistachio syrup ($10.90) and the Zabiglione ($10.90). The pannacotta is gorgeous, with just the right amount of honey contrasting perfectly with the pistachio syrup.
The Zabbiglione, a light brandied custard, is complemented nicely by a small storm of strawberries.
The desserts make for a great climax to the meal. (Compliments to new chef Dan Lee Hills, who we later discovered was cooking on his first night at Musica E).
Three courses would satisfy a good appetite, but portion sizes lend themselves well to ordering a few dishes to share, such as the antipasto and pizza.
Keep an eye out for the summer menu starting this week.
We left with full bellies, sore hands from clapping and the feeling that we had had a unique Italian dining experience in Canberra.
In this city of a thousand restaurants, that's saying something.
ADDRESS: shop 62/1 Beissel st Belconnen
PHONE 62510410
HOURS Tuesday to Friday for lunch, 12-3pm, dinner 6-10pm; Saturday lunch 12-3pm, dinner 6-late; Sunday breakfast or lunch 9am to 3pm
CUISINE Italian
TO PAY Visa, Master Card, Bankcard and EFTPOS (no cheques)
VEGETARIAN Plenty of options throughout and can cater for coeliacs, with notice.
DISABLED Wheelchair access to both restaurant and toilet
SEATING 60 inside 30 outside
Selection 7 entrees, 9 pastas, 7 mains, 4 sides, 12 pizzas and 5 desserts
SUMMARY Funky Italian restaurant that ``sings'' on Friday and Saturday nights. Friendly, casual service with a lively atmosphere and a menu full of good Italian standards as well as a few unfamiliar dishes. Hard not to find something to please.
,dave
If you're looking for a new and different dining experience in Canberra, look no further than Musica E.
The brainchild of actor-turned-restaurateur Mario Gamma, this ``singing'' restaurant features live performances by the man himself on Friday and Saturday nights.
The decor is clean-cut and modern, featuring a scattering of modern artworks.
The room is dominated by a woodfired oven and backlit displays of Campari bottles and cocktail glasses.
As we arrive, the lively dining area has the familiar buzz of a Friday night dinner crowd.
The menu is small but varied and the wine list has a succinct selection from most major regions in Australia as well as a special Italian red.
We opt for the 2003 Burchina Chianti Superiore ($33), a smooth, full-bodied red with sharp berry overtones, very little tannin and just a hint of sweetness.
To start we order the Roast Capsicum Pizza Bread ($6), which arrives just as Mario grabs the microphone to start the night's entertainment.
The pizza base is lovely and crusty, the capsicum nicely roasted, if a bit under-seasoned.
For entraacée I choose the Salt and pepper calamari with lemon aioli on rocket ($14.90) and my partner orders the traditional Arrancini rice balls with pecorino and creamy napoli sauce ($14.90). Our entrees arrive as our host belts out ``That's Amore'' and ``Grease Lightning'', persuading everyone to clap and sing along.
My partner's Arrancini (two large balls) are golden brown and filled with a marvellously cheesy risotto, with just enough napoli to preserve the crisp shell.
Our main arrives promptly; I'd ordered the house special, the Musica e Pizza _ with bocconcini, prosciutto, onions, mushrooms, spinach, ricotta and garlic ($19.90).
The creamy ricotta and crispy prosciutto work very well together.
My partner enjoys the Pesce; deep sea snapper with diced tomato, yellow capsicum and onion on sweet potato ($28.90). The tomato and sweet potato make this dish quite moreish, the fish, however, is a bit dry and could have been cooked a little less.
We turn our attention to the house-made desserts _ the perennial tiramisu and cassata among them.
We select the Leatherwood honey panncotta with pistachio syrup ($10.90) and the Zabiglione ($10.90). The pannacotta is gorgeous, with just the right amount of honey contrasting perfectly with the pistachio syrup.
The Zabbiglione, a light brandied custard, is complemented nicely by a small storm of strawberries.
The desserts make for a great climax to the meal. (Compliments to new chef Dan Lee Hills, who we later discovered was cooking on his first night at Musica E).
Three courses would satisfy a good appetite, but portion sizes lend themselves well to ordering a few dishes to share, such as the antipasto and pizza.
Keep an eye out for the summer menu starting this week.
We left with full bellies, sore hands from clapping and the feeling that we had had a unique Italian dining experience in Canberra.
In this city of a thousand restaurants, that's saying something.
ADDRESS: shop 62/1 Beissel st Belconnen
PHONE 62510410
HOURS Tuesday to Friday for lunch, 12-3pm, dinner 6-10pm; Saturday lunch 12-3pm, dinner 6-late; Sunday breakfast or lunch 9am to 3pm
CUISINE Italian
TO PAY Visa, Master Card, Bankcard and EFTPOS (no cheques)
VEGETARIAN Plenty of options throughout and can cater for coeliacs, with notice.
DISABLED Wheelchair access to both restaurant and toilet
SEATING 60 inside 30 outside
Selection 7 entrees, 9 pastas, 7 mains, 4 sides, 12 pizzas and 5 desserts
SUMMARY Funky Italian restaurant that ``sings'' on Friday and Saturday nights. Friendly, casual service with a lively atmosphere and a menu full of good Italian standards as well as a few unfamiliar dishes. Hard not to find something to please.
,dave
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