I'd always heard good things about La Luna right from the time we arrived in Melbourne 2 and half years ago until now. I guess we were always distracted by eateries closer to home or with a stronger profile and draw.
Anyway Saturday night date night meant we headed to North Carlton to see what La Luna offered. It's a buzzy trattoria style restaurant and we were shown to our table on the ground floor. The waitstaff were all very friendly and we found service efficient and brisk during our time there. Brisk in a good way.
I really enjoyed my berry and vodka aperitif and it was just what I needed to help us decide what to eat. After much chit chat we decided to go with the Chef's Menu and leave the decisionmaking to La Luna.
Anyway Saturday night date night meant we headed to North Carlton to see what La Luna offered. It's a buzzy trattoria style restaurant and we were shown to our table on the ground floor. The waitstaff were all very friendly and we found service efficient and brisk during our time there. Brisk in a good way.
I really enjoyed my berry and vodka aperitif and it was just what I needed to help us decide what to eat. After much chit chat we decided to go with the Chef's Menu and leave the decisionmaking to La Luna.
Proceedings started with a smoked salmon salad (titled Staff Salad / Adrian's lunch) and a plate of delicious prosciutto.
The salad was zingy and fresh with salty capers and pickled onions and chive cutting through the oily fish. I loved that the salmon was diced rather than the traditional slices of smoked salmon as this cubes provided more texture against the crunchy leaves and herbs,
The prosciutto was soft and meltingly delicious and the saltiness sweetened by pickled onion rings.
A lovely fresh start to our meal. We went with a carafe of the house wine which changes regularly and really enjoyed the robust Heathcote Shiraz we were offered.
The salad was zingy and fresh with salty capers and pickled onions and chive cutting through the oily fish. I loved that the salmon was diced rather than the traditional slices of smoked salmon as this cubes provided more texture against the crunchy leaves and herbs,
The prosciutto was soft and meltingly delicious and the saltiness sweetened by pickled onion rings.
A lovely fresh start to our meal. We went with a carafe of the house wine which changes regularly and really enjoyed the robust Heathcote Shiraz we were offered.
Double baked cheese souffle with dipping croutons came next. Not overly cheesy it was more a doughy, dense souffle than the light cloud like French style. More a dumpling in my book but ribstickingly good. We also enjoyed some Crystal Bay prawns one in a garlic and chilli butter which was also great to dip bread in.
Our main dishes were the crackling wrapped roll of roast pork with cabbage, walnuts and smoked tomato relish as well as a rump steak with red onion, garlic and thyme. I had wanted waffle fries having seen some go out early but was thankful our accompaniments were salads: tomato and home made ricotta and beetroot and horseradish.
Strong meat flavours lightened by the fresh salads. Meat cooked well - tender flesh and crispty crackling. Rustic and comforting - it evoked a sense of the Italian countryside as if we were in Tuscany or somewhere similar. Sense of porchetta and bistecca...that kind of feel.
Strong meat flavours lightened by the fresh salads. Meat cooked well - tender flesh and crispty crackling. Rustic and comforting - it evoked a sense of the Italian countryside as if we were in Tuscany or somewhere similar. Sense of porchetta and bistecca...that kind of feel.
Dessert was a sharing plate - there was a silky smooth creme brulee, a wedge of fudgey chocolate brownie and a Kilner jar ice cream sundae.
We had to guess the flavours of the ice cream. I think the top scoop was strawberry and the bottom scoop definitely chocolate.
We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner date here. Good food, buzzy and friendly ambience, sense of the familiarity. It was like re visiting an old friend and being made to feel at home. La Luna thoroughly deserves it popularity on Urbanspoon and its reputation.
We had to guess the flavours of the ice cream. I think the top scoop was strawberry and the bottom scoop definitely chocolate.
We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner date here. Good food, buzzy and friendly ambience, sense of the familiarity. It was like re visiting an old friend and being made to feel at home. La Luna thoroughly deserves it popularity on Urbanspoon and its reputation.
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