Movida @ Melbourne

Nestled away in a little laneway where the walls are covered with pretty Grafiti, is a Spanish Tapas called Movida.

I visited this restaurant last year (I apologise for the really late review), and had not realised that I have yet to do a proper review for them.

Now the “right” thing to do, would be to visit the place again. But I can’t be buggered with their 3 months booking wait list again, and quite frankly, it’s a bit too pricey for my current lifestyle at the moment.

When you walk through the door, your senses are assailed by all the different scents wafting around the rather small establishment (hence the 3 months waiting list).

It is a cosy set up, with yellow lights dimming the restaurant and providing this really homely and comfortable feel.

There were 5 of us, so we were given the Banquet Menu (which is chosen by the kitchen out of the regular tapas menu, and then some).

The lunch (cos I refused to wait for the 3 months for the dinner wait list), took about 2.5 hours… and the Banquet did not include dessert. These we added on as we were greedy.

The course started with a delightful serving of “Anchoa” – Hand filleted Cantabrian artisan anchovy on crouton with smoked tomato sorbet
(This was very light and very very Salty… but sooo “you can’t get enough” feeling)

Followed by, James Iberico jamon de Jabugo” – Iberico imported organic Spanish Jabugo jamon. (Fully acorn fed, 3 years naturally cured)
(Very.. erm.. interesting taste)

“Viera” – Roasted Spring Bay scallop with jamon and potato foam

“Croqueta” – Fried silky croquette flavoured with leek and mahon cheese

“Caballa ahumado” – Tom Cooper’s smoked spanish mackerel with pine nut gazpacho sorbet
(This was my favourite dish!!!)

“Alcachofas” – Confit artichokes with broad beans and almonds (This is no longer on their menu)

“Cecina” – Air cured wagyu beef thinly sliced with a truffle foam and poached egg

“San Jacabo de cordonice” – Hunter Valley quail, partially boned, crumbed, and filled with jamon and mahon cheese
(I have to admit this looks a bit pathetic, as I was the only one eating this, the rest had the Wagyu – hence the pathetic portion)

I can’t remember the name of this dish or what fish it was… (Ocean Trout? Looks more like Salmon)

“Costilla con sobrasada” – Roast lamb cutlet encased in a Catalan pork & paprika pate

“Espinacas con garbanzos’ – Sauteed spinach with chickpeas & spices

Can’t remember what this was either and I can’t locate it on their current menu.. I’m quite sure it was a sticky date pudding…

“Churros” – Rich drinking chocolate and Spanish doughnuts
(It has to be said, I have not had another Churros that can beat this one.. absolutely fantastic!)