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Victoria
Reviewed by Judy
Date/Time:
Dinner 19th Dec 08 |
Restaurant:
La Monicas |
Booking:
Not necessary, but we did so. It's polite. (03) 5976 3198
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Where
to Find:
67 Main Street, Mornington. Vic |
Parking: Street or huge public parking and rear entrance to La Monica.
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Service:
Family owned restaurant with Gianfranco La Monica Maitre D (A gentleman from Verona) and Maria La Monica, his wife, the chef and menu writer. Mouth watering writer. Juliette La Monica, daughter (bar) + very lovely female waitstaff.
Presentation:
This is quite a surprise. Seemingly a cafe with terracotta tiled floor and vaulted ceiling. Light and airy. White starched cloths and (oh well, I suppose I must), high quality paper napkins. I decided to choose entrees with sides to sample as much as I could. A combo of fresh herbs, garlic and red wine atop a whole baby camembert baked till warm and served with crusty bread. I chose to have the side of baby spinach sauted with a wedge of lemon and black pepper. I followed with grilled asparagus with poached egg and proscuto drizzled with EVOL and a side of rosemary baked baby spuds with roasted garlic. My partner had bruscetta which was served in a different fashion. Toasts were hot and served on a divided plate with 4 compartments of tomato chopped with red onion and garlic, a basil tapenade, an olive tapenade and one with EVOL. So you build your own to taste. Very innovative. We shared the two side dishes and it was plenty of food. No desert needed. Plates were quality and all shapes and wine glasses heavy coned shaped stubby based stem with the La Monica monogram with just the 'I' with a dot over it. The dot is the sun and the 'I' has the reflection of the sun shining down it as if it were the sea. I love a restaurant that does something different. Entrees $14 Sides $8 and Mains $22 to $26.
Wine List:
BYO and a well selected small wine list. We brought a lovely Merlot with us.
Value for
Money:
Excellent
Ambiance:
Loved the immediate service on seating, Filtered water brought and a complimentary savoury for each. Franco was very friendly, nothing was too much trouble and that was before he knew I was reviewing his restaurant. Then he told me all about his expansion to build a decked rear courtyard with umbrellas for the warm days. Street al fresco for people watchers too.
The feel
good factor:
Very much the surprise factor, and a pleasant one. Quality of food very high, I just enjoyed it so much and I will return for a luncheon too. I give it the 4 plus award and it will definitely be on my regular list. Just a stroll away is the bay and some lovely views.
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(Highly Recommended )
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