15 Apr ZaZa’s Cucina Italiana, Richmond

Zaza’s is just off the quiet end of Bridge Road. Mum and I dropped in for their Kitchen Table Lunch buffet.

It turned out we were the only ones booked in for the lunch session that day, which at times felt a bit awkward because there were other customers dining off the regular menu too, but fortunately the buffet table was set up on the side of the room.

The buffet began with pumpkin, feta, spinach and walnut salad, some antipasto, arancini and canederli. The arancini were very crisp and were accompanied by a lovely mayo. Canederli originate from the Northern regions of Italy and are like bread puddings. It didn’t look like much, but it was so packed full of flavour it ended up being my favourite dish. The canederli were not gooey or doughy and were generously filled with prosciutto.

The larger dishes soon arrived: chicken with couscous, tortellini and pizza. We found the pasta dough around the tortellini contents rather thick, and in some pieces was undercooked, but we did really enjoy the flavour of the sauce used in the couscous and the tenderness of the chicken that was nestled on top.

ZaZa’s also has some pantry items for sale like dry pasta, biscotti, anchovies and wines.

ZaZa’s Cucina Italiana
10/53 Coppin St
Richmond, VIC, 3121
(03) 9421 6221
http://www.zazas.com.au/