Basta, Fitzroy

Basta - Maltagliati Al Nero - House-made squid ink maltagliati, king prawns, saffron and tomato consomme ($29)

22 May Basta, Fitzroy

Posted at 13:15h in Basta, Fitzroy, Food, Italian, Restaurants by A Chronicle of Gastronomy 0 Comments

You may be more familiar with their former name, Casa Ciuccio, but family-run Basta is still serving up authentic and delicious Italian food from their warm and welcoming restaurant.

Basta - Nduja Bruschetta - Spicy pork, burrata, tomato, basil, onion and garlic ($12) — Nduja Bruschetta - Spicy pork, burrata, tomato, basil, onion and garlic ($12)

Basta - Polpette - Beef and pork meatballs and rich tomato sugo ($10) — Polpette - Beef and pork meatballs and rich tomato sugo ($10)

Polpette are made with beef and pork, and are firm, meaty and tasty. The tomato sugo is indeed rich and flavoursome as described. The spicy and salty nduja in the Bruschetta is balanced by the fresher flavours of burrata, tomato and basil. Both are a promising start to the meal.

Basta - Porchetta - Free range rolled roasted pork, potato al forno ($34) — Porchetta - Free range rolled roasted pork, potato al forno ($34)

Basta - Cavoletti di Bruxelles - Brussel spouts and speck ($10) — Cavoletti di Bruxelles - Brussel spouts and speck ($10)

Meat-lovers will not be disappointed with their Porchetta, which comes with super crunchy crackling and herbed potatoes. Almost all the pasta at Basta is house-made, including that used in the Maltagliati Al Nero. The squid ink maltagliati is lovely and smooth, and the saffron and tomato consommé has such richness and depth of flavour that we sigh with satisfaction at each mouthful.

Basta - Dulce de Leche Panna Cotta w hazelnut, chocolate ganache, chocolate crumb

We finish with a dessert special – Dulce de Leche Panna Cotta. Toasted hazelnut adds a wonderful texture and nuttiness to the dish, and the panna cotta is complemented beautifully by the rich and smooth chocolate ganache and dulce de leche. Here’s hoping it makes it on the menu as a regular item.

Basta means ‘enough’ – not too little, and not too much – but with quality like this, it may be difficult to avoid overindulging.