When I first heard the words Campari House, my mind immediately went to , “It’s an Alcoholic Hole!!!”.
FYI, Campari is an alcoholic aperitif 🙂
Upon realising that it was a name of a restaurant and not a boozy den for alcoholics, I calmed down and made a mental note to pay it a visit one day.
The one day came soon enough in a form of an invite!! It’s like my telepathy powers have grown stronger!
*letmewinonebilliononebilliononemillion* *onehundredthousand* *onethousand* *onehundred?*
Hmmm… I guess it only works with food 🙂
Hot on the Campari House is a 2 course meal with a matched wine for $45, which was the deal that we were invited to try out.
Together with Sporkette and Mr Spork (Not sure if he is a closet Trekkie, but oh well), and the Boy, the four of us paid a little visit to Campari House last Thursday.
Whilst Sporkette went with a red wine, the three of us went with whites 🙂
Sporkette had the Chapel Hill Sangiovese 2009 (McLaren Vale, SA) and I had the Opawa Pinot Gris 2010 (Marlborough, NZ).
The boys had a Chardonnay (forgive me as I completely did not pay attention to their wines, and thus have no recollection of the region it came from 🙁 My bad!).
For starters, the Boy and I shared the Spiced Calamari, Mint, Citrus, Chilli & Aioli ($17.00) whilst the Spork Couple shared the Panko Crumbed Prawns with Wasabi Mayo Dressing (from the Chef’s 2-course Special).
All four of us enjoyed our starters very much.
Upon Mr Spork’s recommendation, I ordered the Blue Swimmer Crab, Spaghetti, Lemon, Chilli, Herbs ($26.00) and didn’t regret it one bit. He’s had it a few times before on different visits and rated it highly.
I couldn’t help but agree. The crab was just lovely and light. Dish was overall flavourful. Definitely a dish I would go back for!
The Boy had a truly lovely Crispy Pork Belly, Sticky Cider, Caramelised Apple Puree, Radish, Mint Salad ($25.00). When it arrived, I had my doubts as the crackling didn’t look all too exciting.
But when I stole a piece (or two :P), the crackling was just divine. It had crunch, it had texture, and it had taste!
Unfortunately, Mr Spork wasn’t having mutual feelings of love for his main. He had ordered the Chef’s Special of 250g Porterhouse with Asparagus & Red Wine Jus.
He had asked for a medium rare, but what arrived instead was a bit on the well done side. Other than that, the dish definitely looked appetising.
Sporkette had a delicious Veal Medallion, Grilled Polenta, Pepponata, Burnt Butter, Sage ($26.00) which she seemed to quite enjoy 🙂
We were definitely filling up by this stage, and luckily had planned in advance to share our desserts. As we didn’t want to end on too heavy a note, both Sporkette and I ordered quite light and refreshing desserts.
Vanilla Panacotta, Pistachio, Black Cherries ($12.00) and Candied Lemon Tart, Confit of Berries ($10.00)
Whilst I truly enjoyed my first dining experience at Campari House (I’d only been there for drinks previously), I probably can’t say the same for Mr Spork and his overdone porterhouse 🙁
However, I do highly recommend the pork belly and the crab spaghetti dish!
[Ms I-Hua dined as a guest of Campari House and The Publican Group Australia]
*Disclaimer: All food ratings & review are purely based on my own experiences and how I feel about the service, food and quality at the time of visit
Food/ Cuisine: Italian
Dining Style: Restaurant
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday, 8:00am – late
Saturday, 9:00am – late
Sunday, 9:00am – 2:00pm
Address:
23-25 Hardware Lane
Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel: (03) 9600 1574
Website: http://www.camparihouse.com.au/
How to get there:
Yummm! The pork belly looks beautiful! Haven’t visited this spot for a while!
And you booze hound. 😛
It was the best crackling I’ve had in a while!
Ah, a new dig in the city. Now, now…
Hahhaa… I don’t think it’s new at all babe!
I have had the lunch special here a few times before and love the food. I will definately have to try the dinner. They also have a great cocktail bar on the second level
It could be the same deal? I have no idea… but yeah that crab and that pork! Mmm.. just don’t order the porterhouse!
OMG. the food looks amazing.
Don’t worry you’re not the only one that thought alcohol when you first saw the word campari. haha 🙂
Thanks fellow boozy woozy!!!
All the foods inhere looks really delicious..Thank you for sharing some photo..I would love to try some of this..
Aww you’re welcome! Not all foods, but the ones we had were awesome 🙂
Oh!!! This does all look delicious! I love a good Sangiovese but I am also partial to a Pinot Gris! I would have been quite happy if it was a boozy bar but the meals look so delicious!
I never order steak out as only my husband manages to cook an eye fillet to my liking “rare”.
Great story and gorgeous images.
Aww thanks! I think it’s going to turn out that way now in the household (about steaks)
Yum it all looks delicious 🙂 I miss proper Western food lol haven’t had any lately 😛
I wanna try the crab dish so badly!
You get to try all the other stuff in HK and NY!! Why are you complaining?
Those are some rather enticing loking dishes. Thank for the thumbs up on the Campari house..
You’re welcome 🙂
I enjoyed reading your post on the capari house and educating on exactly it is. I also enjoy the photographs on your site.
Thank you 🙂