02 Dec Smith Street Alimentari, Collingwood

Not too long ago Gorski and Jones and Smith St Alimentari, both owned by Meaghan Gorski and Paul and Linda Jones, were combined to form a single space. It caters for both take away and seated dining, as well as retaining its specialty grocery store function – ready-made meals, takeaway roasts, cakes, sweets, salads, paninis, fresh bread, cheese, jam, sauces and other Italian products are available for sale. The warm weather today meant the courtyard tables at the back were very popular, with fans hanging above keeping the air from stagnating in the covered area.

Smith Street Alimentari serves an all day breakfast menu and lunch from 12pm and I decided to try some BBQ chicken from the lunch menu. I was surprised by the amount of chicken on the plate; I wasn’t expecting nearly the whole breast and the drumette as well. The chicken had been partially cooked in a sous vide machine, resulting in beautifully tender meat and, after finishing, the skin was tasty and crispy. It came on a bed of farro, sultana, pine nuts, broccolini and spinach – a tasty combination that went wonderfully with the chicken.

The takeaway salads seem to be a favourite and they did look rather delicious. I may have to visit again some time.

Smith Street Alimentari
302 Smith St
Collingwood, VIC, 3066
(03) 9416 1666
www.alimentari.com.au/smith-street/