Bottega’s winter menu brings cosy elegance to Bourke Street
We visited Bottega, one of Melbourne’s most enduring CBD dining spots, to try their newly launched winter menu. Tucked into Bourke Street in Melbourne’s Italian quarter, Bottega strikes a balance between cosy and spacious. The venue is elegantly styled with a modern, minimalist feel, featuring sleek black finishes, polished timber tables and rows of wine bottles lining the dividers of the leather booths. A quirky touch comes in the form of a playful collection of wall-mounted plates featuring suited animals, adding character without overwhelming the space. The ambiance is everything you want from a winter restaurant: warm, dim lighting, plush seating, and just the right amount of buzz without ever becoming loud. Tables are generously spaced, so you never feel crowded. It’s the kind of venue where you could comfortably settle in with a bottle of red and great conversation and forget what time it is. We started with cocktails, ordering an Espresso Martini and the Fig + Honey. We’ve tried a lot of Espresso Martini’s over the years and, like all things coffee, they can be very hit or miss. This was a definite hit. It was smooth and well balanced, with none of the bitterness or cloying sweetness that can throw it off. The Fig and Honey (more lemon + honey than fig) was also a lovely, sour cocktail that hit the spot. To begin, we shared the prosciutto and fontina croquettes, which had a great crunch and a fluffy, salty centre. A flavour-packed little bite. For mains, we tried the grilled free-range… Read More
