Mangiare e felicita @ La Svolta

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of La Svolta.

La Svolta draws on traditional Italian food culture by celebrating the joy of sharing locally-sourced, fresh produce together with family and friends.

The restaurant was bustling on the Saturday night of our visit. With long, shared tables, platters of delicious offerings and some lovely Italian wine, La Svolta is the ideal venue for families and friends to come together and enjoy some true Italian hospitality. 

Alongside their legendary wood-fired oven pizza, the menu features traditional favourites as well as inspired interpretations of the classics. 

Bufala di Parma mozzarella di bufala with prosciutto di Parma

The bufala mozzarella and prosciutto were a stunning start to our meal. The Bufala di Parma mozzarella was feather-light and delicate but yet rich and full of flavour. The prosciutto on the other hand possessed a richness that had been further enhanced by the flavours of the intense curing salt mix.

Boscaiola Pizza - S. Marzano tomato, fior di latte mozzarella, sausage & mixed mushrooms

Of course any visit to La Svolta would not be complete without one of their amazing pizzas. The Boscaiola pizza was flawless. This tomato and mozzarella based pizza was embellished with a light sprinkling of parmesan cheese and strewn with Italian sausages and plump, earthy mushrooms – a classic combination. The amalgamation of flavours were superb.

Tagliatelle ai Gamberi homemade tagliatelle with sautéed tiger prawns, garlic, chilli & broccoli

As expected of any good Italian restaurant La Svolta produces quality pasta dishes. The Tagliatelle ai Gamberi was no exception. Al dente tagliatelle paired with freshly sautéed prawns complex and rich flavours which were contrasted by a desirable chilli kick. 

Seafood lasagne

Layers of home-made pasta, seafood, béchamel, parmigiano and mozzarella were a delight. Our waitress for the evening it to us as “a delicious dish” and we could not have agreed more.

Panacotta; Tiramisu

La Svolta’s rendition of a pannacotta was texturally perfect. The pannacotta was silky smooth - just barely holding its shape, it was quivering on the plate. The tiramisu was similarly well made, with its flavour heavily dominated by the constituent alcoholic component.  Both were simple traditional desserts that were well executed and thoroughly enjoyable.

Transport yourself to a cobbled Naples laneway, the picturesque Tuscan countryside or to a delightful seaside town with one satisfying visit to La Svolta.

Location: 450 Hampton Street, Hampton

Phone: 03 9521 8990

Link: http://www.lasvolta.com.au/

Cuisine: Italian

New Autumn menu @ La Svolta

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of La Svolta

At La Svolta the mantra is “mangiare e felicita”, meaning eating is happiness. This family kitchen and authentic Italian pizzeria and trattoria brings a touch of Italy to Melbourne.

Comprising 2 locations in  Prahran and Hampton La Svolta has won hearts and awards. 

The La Svolta team is led by Valerio Calabro and Giuseppe ‘Pino’ Russo, Italian natives, best friends and home cooks with a passion for authentic Italian fare. Opening the restaurant was a defining moment in their lives, hence the name ‘La Svolta’ which translates to ‘turning point’. 

Caprese fresh tomato salad with mozzarella di Bufala, EVO, fresh basil & oregano

At La Svolta each and every meal is prepared with love, with dishes inspired by family recipes and techniques, passed down from the teams’ Mammas and Nonnas, Pappas and Nonnos. The award winning menu also plays homage to all corners of ‘The Boot’ and the passionate people that make La Svolta possible. 

Tartufata Pizza

The pizzas at La Svolta are outstanding. It is no surprise that La Svolta holds an Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN) Accreditation awarded by the official association in Naples, which specifies that their pizza is prepared per the specific guidelines. 

To receive accreditation pizza must be prepared in a woodfire oven, the temperature must be over 400 degrees and cooked for 60-90 seconds. This accreditation certifies that La Svolta's pizzas are prepared according to these specific guidelines, making them one of only a handful in Melbourne preparing authentic Italian pizzas.

The Tartufata pizza was picture perfect in appearance and outstanding in taste. Aromatic truffle cream, dollops of  Fior di latte mozzarella and beautiful hot Italian sausages finished with shaved parmigiano created a delightful fusion of flavours that would keep any pizza purist happy. Encircled with a puffy crisp crust, this pizza was superb. 

Gnocchi alla Sorrentina homemade potato gnocchi baked in the woodfire oven

The gnocchi was divine and obviously made with love. As with all good gnocchi, it was soft and pillow-like, providing an ideal canvas for the intense flavour of basil napoli sauce, fior di latte mozzarella & Grana Padano cheese. 

Tournedos of swordfish and zucchine with sautéed silverbeet

The quality of the swordfish was exemplary. The flesh was delicate and moist. It was a fresh dish that allowed the natural subtle sweetness of the fish to be enjoyed.

From left: Tiramisu; Sirigino al ciociolato fondente

Our desserts were each wonderfully traditional and well-executed. It was a decadent end to a delightful meal. 

La Svolta is a celebration of food, culture and family. This vibrant trattoria offers guests a real Italian experience complete with a ‘Ciao Bella’ to everyone who walks through the doors.

Location: 3/5 Cecil Place, Prahran 

Phone: 03 9510 3001

Link: http://www.lasvolta.com.au/

Cuisine: Italian