A Blogger’s Sicilian Dream at Mister Bianco
When chef Joseph Varghetto extends an invitation to dine at his acclaimed restaurant Mister Bianco, the immediate response is an enthusiastic YES. Especially when it involves a table of Melbournian bloggers journeying through 4 courses of Southern Italian cuisine.
May’s evening chill is quickly forgotten under the warm, low lighting of Mister Bianco’s back room. Wine glasses are filled as bloggers meet and reunite; eager to discover some culinary treasures. The night officially begins with a kind welcome from Joseph, and what follows is an authentic Sicilian feast combining the traditional and the modern using fresh, seasonal ingredients.
The shared stuzzichini course is brought to the table and taste buds spring to life in hot pursuit of the colorful and intriguing starters. There’s the humming heat and subtle fragrance in the tuna zingara, with cucumber gazpacho and avocado; a smooth and creamy burrata mozzarella money bag with zesty pesto trapanese and crisp, candied prosciutto; and a warm, peppery arancino vero siciliano with roasted garlic aioli; all so flavourful and textural.
Next comes the raviolo filled with scallop, prawn and (WA) black truffles, served with beurre fondue and pepitas. It’s earthy and buttery, infused with saliferous and fragrant ocean character - definitely one of the highlights of the entire menu.
A meaty main course combines black angus porterhouse with a sweet and sour Sicilian caponata and salmoriglio. Organic millers duck breast rounds off the savouries, served with grilled asparagus, fresh herbs and a quince puree also sharing sweet and sour notes.
Dessert is complete artistry, capturing the eyes long before it reaches the lips. On the ceramic canvas are cannoli alla siciliana generously filled with sweet, citrusy cream. Rose petals and freeze dried raspberries are scattered atop, popping with vibrant colour and fruitiness. The pastry is light and crunchy, a perfect match for the velvety interior.
Versatile food is exciting food; when textures, flavours and cultures collide to create beautiful and unique combinations. This kind of food experience speaks to all of the senses, and reminds us of the cultural threads that are tightly woven through Melbourne’s culinary scene.
Thank you to Joseph Varghetto and the delightful team at Mister Bianco in Kew, as well as Reymond Communications for inviting us to this amazing event. What a treat!