you would be forgiven if you walk half way down orwell street and turn back when all you see is a few backpacker hostels and some suspicious looking characters at the local park. but just before check your directions again, a diner appears out of nowhere being set in a tiny renovated cottage that has blended into the neighbourhood.
you are almost instantly welcomed by some very hospitable staff, whom i assume one was the owner who was friendly and very helpful. this was a sunday and we were given a simplified breakfast and lunch menu which was missing some of the ceviche and seafood we we saw and were after.
we didn't have a big appetite so regrettably didn't order one of their signature dishes - their pastas, although i did see them make it and served with a bit of a show at the table.
we chose the cured meat platter and had a tough choice choosing their premium range of salami and prosciutto each with a brief but useful description. finally settled on the culatello which was described as the king of proscuittos and the nduja which was the hot salami. the proscuitto was unlike your cafe or supermarket variety with no hint of a bloody flavour or chewiness, it was soft and buttery and almost melted in your mouth, the salami was was run of the mill but just couldn't go past the "hot" description. perhaps i need to try their truffle salami or other very interesting meats next time. it came with turkish bread (untoasted), pickled carrot, pickles, grapes, two types of cheeses but they forgot to include the olives.
my wife ordered a sparkling water and we were given a 750ml bottle which was ridiculous. the platter, water, a glass of prosecco and a pilsner came to $58. although the cured meats were excellent, it was still essentially a antipasto with 3 drinks that added up to a price of a decent lunch or basic dinner. not sure what everyone is talking about when they refer to thisplaceas cheap. maybe i'm hanging round with the wrong crowd.