Missing at Fritto Misto

As Marcia Hines sung in her 70’s (?) hit, “Somethin’s missin’, in my life, baby it’s you, baby it’s you”….. etc etc – well, so was somethin’ missin’ in our food at Fritto Misto today. It was devoid of predominant flavours.

It was perfectly fine for a café meal. But just lacking in that extra ‘je ne sais quoi’; that extra zing. It was more like a meal I would expect if I sat down at my mother-in-laws table – sturdy, healthy, acceptable, but not at all adventurous, or tasty.

The menu was smallish – one of everything on the Mains, like chicken (breast), fish (Moroccan style), steak (eye fillet), lamb, vegetarian (which coincidentally was identical to the entree I had at Home Hill on Saturday - the Honey Brown Mushroom Risotto with truffle oil). The entrees comprised about 6 selections. We shared the entrée of Pan fried Kefelogravia served alongside a half pesto-covered tomato. The size of the wedge of Kefelogravia itself was way too massive for an entrée. It was priced at $16, and was the size of a quarter of a pizza. To my mind, they could cut the price and reduce the size of the serving. The taste of that particular item is very distinct and specific, as well as salty, so you really don’t need that much.

For mains we had the Chicken Breast, which was served on top of a Spinach and Brie tartlet ($26, from memory). This too was a very filling meal, which would have been ideal with either component (the chicken breast or the tartlet) served as a separate meal. The chicken breast was hot, but the rest of the food on the plate was lukewarm, including the tartlet, which took away a bit from the enjoyment level.

The eye fillet ($28) was described on the menu as being served with bintjes, garlic, veges and jus. It sounded mouthwatering. Because all except the steak was lukewarm also, it was a bit of an anticlimax. Once again, I say it wasn’t inedible, or bad, food. It was served up beautifully. The service was great, courtesy of David (ex Barilla Bay FOH, and Henry Jones). It was just very ordinary, and if that’s what they are wanting to achieve at the end of the day, then they succeeded.

Unfortunately, it being a Monday public holiday, they were out of a few items on the menu. It would have been handy having had these things pointed out when we were handed the menu, rather than as we ordered something, then told they’d run out of that particular thing. So, one of the entrees was gone (the marinated King Prawns, which had instantly attracted me), as well as the sourdough bread which was meant to accompany the Kefelogravia; also the Brulee dessert, which I also liked the sound of and would have liked to try!

The desserts were the best part of the meal, but by then we were feeling a bit too full, and jaded, so selected today’s special (a Raspberry and Ice cream terrine) plus a Chocolate brownie, served with an unctuous chocolate sauce and galiano ice cream ($10.50 each).

John Mahindroo and wife Joan (managers) are currently away, (hopefully) sunning themselves in Greece, so the café is ticking along with the regular staff. They were doing quite a good trade there today, and said yesterday had been a good trading day as well. The ages of the patrons was varied, from your quite old pensioner oldies, to your young (in their 20’s) people enjoying their lunches.

The café itself is a very pleasant one. It looks out over the Lauderdale bay, at green hills with the occasional cattle and houses in the distance. I liked the vibe of the place, and felt quite comfortable there. I equate the food and prices to that of any pub, so if you have a choice of pub or there, try there as a similar option.