Wednesday 22 July 2009

Movida Next Door

“I’m sorry” the sympathetic maitre’d will more than likely say if you haven’t got a booking, “but you could try next door…”. Movida is one such place that will be more than happy to give you that recommendation and actually mean it.

The Movida Spanish tapas empire is the Mike and David Hussey brothers of the food world. Both at the top of their game, though all be it in different forms. Movida, more mature and refined, Next Door the young pup. At Next Door, not only will you leave with more in the pocket at no quality loss, but also completely satisfied. The catch is to actually get a seat.

If you’re lucky or get there early enough to snare a prized stool, a serving of benejenas frita will surely excite like a Hussey cut shot. Eggplant sliced thickly to resemble chips, lightly battered and deep fried is dipped into salmorejo, a thick soup of tomato, bread, olive oil, garlic with the tang of vinegar. Any time spent waiting will soon be forgotten. Patatas bravas is a classic straight drive tapas dish, spuds are baked in a subtly spicy tomato based sauce with a drizzle of quality aioli. For something meatier, get the impressively endowed king prawn in a carrot escabeche or the Moorish lamb skewers, the flesh rubbed with spices and herbs including cumin, coriander and parsley.

Desserts wouldn’t be dessert without churros, coming with a quality rich drinking chocolate that Cadbury’s can’t compete with. Tarta De Queso is an interesting, pungent, baked sheep’s milk cheesecake with a compote of berries that won’t disappoint on creaminess.

I hate rejection with a passion, but I don’t being denied from Movida. There’s always Next Door.

3.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? 164 Flinders Street, Melbourne, VIC
What? Dishes Under $15





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