Regional Italian dinner @ Gelobar
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Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Gelobar.
One of Melbourne’s favourite gelataria, Gelobar proudly serves authentic Italian dishes at an affordable price.
The décor is warm and welcoming, it feels like stepping into the Scullino family's home for dinner. The menu boasts an array of traditional dishes that pay homage to rustic Italian cooking.
After 20 years, Gelobar still remains focused on three things - food, family and love. Apart from introducing Melbourne to the famous recipes of gelati, Gelobar now offers compelling authentic Italian fare (both sweet and savoury) to enjoy over coffee or a few glasses of wine amidst a vibrant and energetic atmosphere.
We visited on a Thursday night, Gelobar’s regional Italian feast night and were treated to a delicious selection of rustic Italian food with plenty of soul.
Our table was quickly adorned with an array of delightful starters. Among these, the battered calamari was our favourite.
The delicious ribbons of calamari were perfectly seasoned and featured ethereally light and crispy batter.
Left: Capretto e patate - baby goat with potatoes in tomato sauce with black olives
Right: Green olives and potato spaghetti
Stocco e patate - cod fish with potatoes in tomato sauce with capers
and green olives
The mains were unpretentious, full of flavour and generous. The goat and cod fish mains were both traditional Southern Italian dishes that were available for the Thursday night Regional Italian dinner only and do not form part of Gelobar's regular menu.
The dolci menu is one not to be missed, bursting with a gorgeous selection of desserts featuring artisan style gelati and traditional Italian pastry including ricotta cheesecakes and cannoli.
Our evening at Gelobar concluded on a sweet note with a dessert plate of “spaghetti” gelato, ricotta cheesecake and a shot of Frangelico. The gelato, as expected was delicious. Texturally perfect with beautiful flavour combinations, the passion for artistic expression using quality ingredients can be tasted in their gelato. Each flavour was made with dedication and artisanship. The ricotta cheesecake was a charming Italian cake. The filling was beautifully smooth courtesy of being made using excellent ricotta and we loved the fact that it was not too sweet. The Frangelico was an indulgently sweet and heady way to cap off our night.
We left with a selection of Gelobar’s delicious cakes to have at home.
At the end of the day, the food is but one reason to visit Gelobar. The Scullino family legacy is that they have created a warm, inviting, home away from home where you can enjoy rustic Italian food with friends.
Location: 74 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
Phone: 03 9388 1419
Cuisine: Desserts/Ice Cream, Breakfast/Brunch, Italian
