Rosa’s kitchen, is just that – the kitchen or Rosa Mitchell who migrated from Sicily and now shares with us her expertise in all food Italian. Hidden along Punch Lane, with an unobtrusive facade, you would be forgiven for not having dined with her before. The cement floors and stripped brick walls give a relaxed atmosphere, as do the menus in chalk on the high blackboards. There are usually several vegetarian options and everything is deliciously authentic.
The antipasto came with a variety of nibbles. Frittata was in thin slices with herbs. There was a dressed barley salad. Slightly picked zucchini was done in long strands and was tasty with a pleasant acidity. Ricotta was dipped in an egg battered and fried. There were also cauliflower croquettes.
Entree was eggplant stuffed with veggies and breadcrumbs, with charred skin and garlic rendering it delicious.
For main the trepanese pesto spaghetti was against the pistachio and pinenut status quo for Melbourne. The almond based sauce had a fine texture and a strong flavour with garlic and basil. An iceberg salad with slithers of radish and a light vinegar cut through the richness of the pasta.
The Nero D’Avola wine was equally typical of a Sicilian meal. It had a punch at first but also fruit. It then softened to show light tannins, red fruits and spice.
Dessert was tempting and we tasted the lemon tart and canolli. The tart, was...tart, with the bite of citrus and not too much sugar. The ricotta inside the cannolli was so smooth and wet. The shell was crisp and flavoursome.
A meal at Rosa’s is like hearty, home-cooked, Sicilian fare. We spotted the woman herself through the openings in the kitchen and thanked the waitress for the hospitality. The prices are not cheap, but the food is authentic and tasty.
The antipasto came with a variety of nibbles. Frittata was in thin slices with herbs. There was a dressed barley salad. Slightly picked zucchini was done in long strands and was tasty with a pleasant acidity. Ricotta was dipped in an egg battered and fried. There were also cauliflower croquettes.
Entree was eggplant stuffed with veggies and breadcrumbs, with charred skin and garlic rendering it delicious.
For main the trepanese pesto spaghetti was against the pistachio and pinenut status quo for Melbourne. The almond based sauce had a fine texture and a strong flavour with garlic and basil. An iceberg salad with slithers of radish and a light vinegar cut through the richness of the pasta.
The Nero D’Avola wine was equally typical of a Sicilian meal. It had a punch at first but also fruit. It then softened to show light tannins, red fruits and spice.
Dessert was tempting and we tasted the lemon tart and canolli. The tart, was...tart, with the bite of citrus and not too much sugar. The ricotta inside the cannolli was so smooth and wet. The shell was crisp and flavoursome.
A meal at Rosa’s is like hearty, home-cooked, Sicilian fare. We spotted the woman herself through the openings in the kitchen and thanked the waitress for the hospitality. The prices are not cheap, but the food is authentic and tasty.
Rosa's Kitchen
22 Punch Lane
Melbourne 3000
03 9662 2883