Week 5- Terra Rossa Restaurant Bar

It was my choice again this week and I decided on the Terra Rossa. It is at 87 Flinders Lane in Melbourne and easy to get to for us, just hop on the tram outside my work and go all the way up till Exhibition St and then a short walk after that. We had made a booking for 5.30 and had said we would not rush dinner and expect to be on the later train, therefore not making that last minute dash for the early one.

My first impression was that it seemed very warm and inviting, and not formal at all. We were shown to the back part which is the restaurant section to a table for two. Unfortunately the bar section is right next to that and a party of three drunk guys were having a lovely time at the next table swearing and carrying on with the waitress. I must say that Pete could definately see why she was getting the attention, although I think she could have worn something a bit more decent for waitressing and not like she was about to start dancing up and down a pole waiting for tips!

When we got the menu I was a little disappointed that it had changed from what I had seen in the Entertainment guide, as that had my mouth watering at the thought. There was a good selection however from breads to pizza, pasta, fish and meat.
We thought we'd try the oven baked italian bread with olive oil and dukkah to start with. The entrees we decided on was garlic and chilli king prawns with a lime and coriander dipping sauce for me and Pete had skewered lemon and thyme chicken kebabs with minted yoghurt.
For our mains, I chose, chicken risotto- slowly cooked chicken breast with pumpkin and rosemary finished with white wine and parmesan. Pete decided on chargrilled gremolata chicken breast on a meditteranean vegetable salad. We also picked a bottle of Barwick Crush Rose as we thought that would be nice with the chicken dishes.
The bread was nice and the entrees were lovely, however my one complaint there is that they brought the bread out and my entree and the waiter said Pete's wouldn't be too long so Pete told me to go ahead and eat mine as it was hot. I had finished mine before his had even arrived at the table. Pete enjoyed them however so at least that was something.
The mains were delicious although not huge servings and I definately felt I needed dessert to fill me up.
I picked the warm chocolate fudge cake with double cream and Pete went with the mixed berry crumble with vanilla bean icecream. These were extremely yummy and we tried each others and I think I preferred Pete's..surprise surprise because everyone knows how much I love chocolate.
The wine was tasty and refreshing and went down very nicely with the meal.

The service was good, except the waiter forgot we had asked to see the dessert menu and Pete had to go up and ask for it. Everything was brought out without much time between courses and the food was tasty,but we both felt it had a hint of La Porchettas about it

After the initial annoyance with the trio next to us the evening was enjoyable, although I don't think I would go there again..Pete might however, as the waitress gave him a wink when he paid the bill..although even that wink and ample cleavage didn't warrant a tip!

Total cost of the meal, including the wine was $111